The
SOF
2.
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski ”
15, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.
HISTORY Immediately after the Liberation (1978, the need of opening institution of higher education in Bulgaria became pending, because more and more young Bulgarians had to finish their education abroad. The public supports the idea with numerous donations. The rich financier, tradesman and banker, Evlogi Georgiev from Karlovo, while following the will of his brother Hristo, donated and bequeathed location and money for erecting the building, as well as takes care for the maintenance of the University that was opened in 1888 and became the first Bulgarian institution of higher education.
Its name pays tribute to the tradition of the educational schools that was ended by Bulgaria’s fall under Ottoman Rule for 500 years. A tradition that began since the creation of Cyrillic alphabet in IX century by the brothers Cyril and Methodius. The most famous of these schools was the one of their scholar – Kliment Ohridski, a patron of the University. In it, he used to prepare thousands of teachers, priests and educators.
ARCHITECTURE The building was constructed in neoclassical style with massive architectural elements. At the left and at the right side of the parade staircase, two seated bronze figures are placed – the donators of the University – the brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi. In 1940, they undertook the design of both lateral wings – the North and the South ones that were not part of the initial project, yet these were performed as continuation of the same style.
Take a look at the ceremonial hall – the Aula. It is in baroque style, expressive and superfluous. The central staircase, the terracotta floor mosaic, the marble paneling and with the multi-coloured glass paintings impart a real solemnity. By the way, these were destroyed by the bombarding during the Second World War, yet these were restored by professor Dechko Uzunov – a prominent Bulgarian artist.
THE LIBRARY with its original architectural solutions is also worth the attention. It has been operation from 1900 to present days. You could enter it from the patio. You could recognize it by the warm yellow facade, the clock and the staircase with the two lions.
NEAR BY you can see also
NATIONAL LIBRARY
This is the largest library in Bulgaria. It is located in the city centre, right next to the building of Sofia University. In the beautiful garden, at the front you could see the statues of both brothers Saint Saint Cyril and Methodius, the creators of the Bulgarian alphabet and patrons of the Library. Its fund was established in 1879 and includes almost 8 million precious manuscripts, new and old printed books, documents, photos, personal letters, maps etc.
MONUMENT TO VASIL LEVSKI
Built in 1885 and is one of the first monuments that were constructed after the Liberation of Bulgaria. It is devoted to Vasil Levski – fighter for freedom and national hero. He was dreaming of pure and sacred republic in which all the people would have equal rights, irrespective of their nationality and religion.
The monument is 13 meters high, made of grey granite. The monument is of the obelisk type, with numerous decorative elements and bronze bas-relief of Levski’s face. It was officially opened by knyaz Ferdinand Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The monument was constructed at several meters from the place where Levski died, a century ago it was in the city outskirts, nowadays at its very centre.
DOCTOR's
GARDEN
A small and very pleasant park in the city centre.
The place boasts with ancient history that interweaves different centuries and cultures.
It is named after the monument built in the middle of the park, in living memory of the doctors that died in battle, and in its lower end there are lapidarium, rock garden and a beautiful fountain.
