Theleafy Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square is a picturesque hub in the heartof Sofia, where you can visit excellent museums, attend cultural events andspot important city landmarks. The square takes its name from Alexander ofBattenberg, who became modern-day Bulgaria’s first prince in 1879.
Adominant feature of the square is Sofia’s chateauesque former royal palace,built at the end of the 1800s following Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottomanrule. Today, the palace is the home of the National Art Gallery. Find acollection of over 50,000 pieces, which ranges from Medieval paintings andreligious icons to modern art and Bulgarian masters. Also within the palace isthe National Ethnographic Museum, which has displays of artifacts that showcasethe various cultures of Bulgaria.
Go tothe western side of the square and visit Sofia’s National Museum of NaturalHistory. Learn about worldwide fauna, flora, fossils and minerals as youexplore the museum’s 15 exhibition halls. Find the pretty Temple Sveti Nikolay,a striking Russian church situated behind the museum.
Timeyour visit to the square to coincide with one of several events that take placethroughout the year. These include open-air concerts and military displays,such as the parade on the Day of St. George the Victorious, held in May.
Situatedin Sofia’s city center, Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square is within walkingdistance of other major city attractions. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral,Church of St. George and Ivan Vazov National Theatre are all less than fiveminutes away on foot. The square is also easily reachable via public buses,trolleybuses and the metro. Metered parking is available opposite the entranceto the National Art Gallery.
TheNational Art Gallery and National Ethnographic Museum are open from Tuesday toSunday. The National Museum of Natural History is open daily. Admission feesare applicable for all of the museums. Visit the museums’ respective websitesfor complete opening hours, fees and details about guided tours.
