HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE, PURPOSE In the end of the 70-ies of the ХХ century, the communist leadership of Bulgaria considered a grandiose re-arrangement of urban environment and performing public works in the part that now stand the building and the park. A decision was made to build a big and modern cultural centre. They say that for its construction the quantity of metal invested is almost equal to the one invested in the Eiffel Tower. The project ambitiousness is also shown by the name that was chosen – palace of culture.

The construction began in 1978 and huge resource was involved. The completion was intended to happen in 1981, so that it could become part of celebrating the anniversary of 1300 years since the establishment of the Bulgarian state in 681 .

Placed above of the central entrance, quite interesting and easy to remember is the palace symbol – a bronze sculpture of styled sun that is work of art by itself, well-thought and realized in the spirit of the ancient Bulgarian wood-carving tradition, created by the famous Bulgarian sculptor Georgi Chapkanov.

After we enter the main entrance, another work of art welcomes us – a huge gold-covered female sculpture with arms wide open, called “Mother Bulgaria” that oozes warmth and hospitality.

The official opening was performed in person by the first state head back then – the communist leader Todor Zhivkov. Indeed, in the decades to follow, up to nowadays, the place became emblematic for Sofia’s cultural life. It has 13 halls of various scale, whereas the biggest of them all has 3380 seats and could take up to 10 000 people. Many cultural events, exhibitions, spectacles, concerts were organized. The National Palace of Culture hosts over 300 events annually. Throughout the years global stars are its guests – Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Joe Cocker, the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra with Herbert von Karajan, Mark Knopfler, Jose Carreras, Bolshoy Theatre, Montserrat Caballe, and many more. All the famous Bulgarian performers and artists have been part of its cultural list on many occasions. Annually, it welcomes more than 1 million visitors. The palace plays the role not only of a reception place, but also of a self-organizing events centre.

Once it was renewed and refurbished, the building welcome the EU chairing in Bulgaria that took place in 2018 and from a socialist emblem, the National Palace of Culture turned into a modern building, which goes together with the global trends.

The park that surrounds it is beautifully planted, performed with alleys, flowers and fountains.

In the lower part, an old soldier monument is undergoing refurbishment, since it was built in the 30-ies of the ХХ century. The monument was removed by the communist regime and only fragments were preserved. In total only one stone lion figure with map at the front showing the borders of the Bulgarian Kingdom has retained its integrity. Today, it is placed at the same location, and the other monument part is to be constructed.