Eagles' Bridge

"Eagles’ Bridge, located in close proximity to key landmarks such as Vasil Levski National Stadium, the Monument to the Soviet Army, Borisova Gradina Park, and Lake Ariana, serves as a vital junction in Sofia. This significant intersection connects two main boulevards: Evlogi Georgiev Boulevard, which follows the Perlovska River, and Tsarigradsko Shose, with Tsar Ivan Asen II Street terminating at this junction. For traffic entering Sofia from the southeast along Tsarigrad Road, Eagles’ Bridge represents the first junction and a crucial access point to the city center. Designed and built alongside Lions’ Bridge in 1889, Eagles’ Bridge is notable for its architectural elegance, featuring columns adorned with bronze eagles that symbolize strength and freedom. The bridge’s design has been commemorated on the reverse side of the Bulgarian 20 lev banknote, issued in 1999 and 2007, showcasing its cultural significance. Over the years, Eagles’ Bridge has been a focal point for various social and political movements, including the 2012 ecological protests against construction in Vitosha Mountain and the Dyuni nature reserve on the Black Sea coast. It also played a central role during the political protests in 2013, where it witnessed a range of demonstrations—from scenes of violence during winter protests to massive peaceful gatherings in the summer, with protesters often closing the bridge each evening to express their voices late into the night."

"The Eagles’ bridge spreads above Perlovska river (it looks more like a canal than a river). The name of the bridge itself comes from the four statues of eagles on it, which are, symbolically, its protectors and patrons. Similarly, if you remember the Lions’ bridge- the same Czech architect planned this one as well. An interesting fact is that both one of the lions from Lions’ bridge and also one of the eagles can be found on the 20 BGN banknote. "