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Bulgarian National Theatre "Ivan Vazov"

5 Dyakon Ignatiy Str.

In the pleasant park next to the yellow paved Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd, right opposite of the former Royal Palace and present-day National Art Gallery, you will find the splendid Baroque building of the Bulgarian National Theatre “Ivan Vazov”. It is among the most impressive works of the Bulgarian early 20th-century architecture.

The idea about its construction comes right after the re-establishment of the Bulgarian state after the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878. In the end of the 19th century the Bulgarian government established a special fund for gathering financial resources for the purpose. The construction works started soon and in the beginning of 1907 the National Theatre was officially opened by the Royal Prince (later Tsar) Ferdinand.

The building of the theatre was designed by the popular Viennese architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner, authors of a series of other theatres, operas and palaces in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Berlin, Rijeka, Timisoara, Odessa and other prominent European cities. The lavish Baroque decoration of the building's facade is very impressive.

The central entrance of the theatre is emphasized by an elegant colonnade of six graceful columns in Ionian order, which support the triangular fronton decorated with a splendid sculptured relief, depicting the ancient Greek god of the sun and arts Apollo in his chariot. He is accompanied by four semi-naked muses. Some details of the composition are enhanced with skillfully made gilt.

The towers flanking the two sides of the central facade of the theatre are crowned by a sculptured composition representing the ancient Greek goddess of victory - Nike in a chariot, pulled by three lions each one.

In the end of the 1920s the interiors of the National Theatre were restored after serious damages caused by a fire a few years ago. They are lavishly decorated with splendid relief and painted ornaments. The huge curtain of the main stage is very impressive. It was produced by the carpet factory in the Bulgarian renaissance town of Panagyurishte. The curtain is decorated with scenes from the “King-Bird” Ballet by Igor Stravinsky.

During the warm summer months of the year a refreshing fountain gushes in the pleasant garden in front of the picturesque building of the theatre, creating the ideal atmosphere for relax under the shades of old trees. The benches around the fountain are a favorite place for chess-players from the capital city, coming here to play with each other.