The Palace - National Art Gallery

"The National Gallery of Bulgaria, established in 1948, stands as the country’s largest art museum, housing an impressive collection of over 41,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, graphics, and decorative and contemporary art. Its collections are particularly notable for featuring the richest assemblage of Christian art from the Bulgarian lands, spanning from the 4th to the 19th centuries. Additionally, the gallery showcases the finest achievements of Bulgarian masters from the National Revival period to the present day, alongside significant European artworks from the 15th to 20th centuries, as well as unique pieces from Asia, Africa, and America. The National Gallery comprises several venues, including Kvadrat 500, which presents a permanent exhibition, and The Palace, which hosts temporary exhibitions. Other locations under its umbrella include the Museum of Christian Art located in the crypt of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Museum of Socialist Art, and the Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art. The gallery also manages house museums dedicated to prominent Bulgarian artists such as Vera Nedkova, Nikola Tanev, and Ivan Lazarov. In alignment with contemporary museum practices, the National Gallery embraces a mission to remain open to the public, aiming to preserve, study, and enrich its national collection of both Bulgarian and foreign art for current and future generations. The gallery aspires to be a center for promoting Bulgarian art internationally, fostering connections between various artistic styles and civilizations, and providing a vibrant space for audiences to engage with unique exhibitions and diverse cultural events and educational programs."

"The National Art gallery used to be former royal palace of Bulgaria. It was completely destroyed during World War II. Afterwards, after the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a Communist government in Bulgaria, most of the palace became ownership of the National Art Gallery. Part of the building was designed by a Viennese architect which you can clearly see from its facade."

"The royal palace, which once housed the Bulgarian royals, has now been converted into a beautiful art gallery. If you want to learn about the history of Sofia and Bulgaria, this is a stop you can't miss! 👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Church of St. Nicholas (170m- 2min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4. 🎟️Ticket cost: 10,00 BNG (€5,10)."