Architectural Treasures of Sofia: History and Beauty of Remarkable Streets

Walks in our beautiful capital can be long, pleasant, and surrounded by cultural monuments. Even though we don't always pay attention to the streets we walk on, the buildings that surround us, and the beauties of...

We will introduce you to some of the most famous streets and ancient buildings of Sofia. We are sure that most of you know them, have stopped to enjoy them at least once.

"The House of Banker Ivanov" or better known as the "House with Strawberries" - It was built between 1927-1930. by the architect Georgi Kunev. It is located at 6 San Stefano Street. It has been an embassy, a police headquarters, restored, a photo set, resold and unfortunately currently abandoned. Very often you will see people passing by it stopping in front of the fence and taking pictures.

The "Blue Pearl" from 1923 is located at 17 Lege Street. It is distinguished by its impressive metal gate, decorated with an elegant frieze with floral elements. The name of the street comes from Leander Francois Lege, a French diplomat and vice-consul in Sofia during the April Uprising and the Russo-Turkish War.

"The Red Jewel of Sofia" - the work of the Bulgarian architect Nikola Lazarov in 1921. Wrought iron canopy over the entrance and, an internal balcony, rich reliefs on the facade, various elements that make it unique. It is located on Paris Street and meters from Moskovska Street.

"Sabat Farhi's Income Building" - an absolute architectural masterpiece, located at 38 Alabin Street. It is reflected in decorative elements: female faces, plaster elements, decorated balconies.
The name of the street comes from the Russian count, public figure, historian and initiator of the creation of the Samara flag - Pyotr Vladimirovich Alabin.

"Fingov's Eagles" - built in 1914 by architect Fingov for the then Sofia Bank. Why is it so majestic? Lavish facades with an impressive dome, bas-reliefs, sculptural figures, the entrance is guarded by eagles with outstretched wings, the windows are guarded by Medusa masks, and the Roman god Mercury, patron of bankers, protects it from above. Currently, the building is home to DSK Bank. It is located at 19 Moskovska Street.

Hotel "Imperial", also called the surviving jewel on 2A Saborna Street, designed by architect Kiro Marichkov for the industrialist Todor Balabanov in 1917-1920. Combining architecture of Baroque elements and Secession. It is impossible not to notice it, starting with its richly decorated metal gate and its beautiful five floors.
Nowadays it has been converted into an office building, and the owners are the heirs of Todor Balabanov.

Of course, this is a small part of the architecture we are used to seeing in the center of Sofia. But we must not forget that it is the small details that make our capital magnificent.