Major Galleries in Sofia
What exactly is Art? Is it masterpieces of famous artists, a variety of colours or personal sense for the beauty in this life? Willing to see some stunning art pieces of different cultures? What would you see about marvelous sculptural pieces?
All of these encompass the world of the fine art! Whatever is your opinion about the art and beautiful masterpieces, the sheer abundance and variety of world-class artworks on display in Sofia city will not disappoint even the most discerning art lover. Make your visit in Bulgaria’s capital city worthwhile, simply tour the major Sofia’s galleries.
The crowning glory of the Alexander Batenberg Sqr. in the very centre of Sofia, National Art Gallery is a vast space, filled with astounding paintings. In this Sofia art gallery, you can expect to find works by masters which will meet the high expectations even of the most discerning art fans.
From romantic paintings to landscapes by famous artists– you'll find much to gaze in awe at within National Gallery of Arts, considered the greatest art gallery in Bulgaria.
The National Gallery of Arts is located on Batenberg Square in the capital city of Bulgaria, occupying most of the historic and imposing edifice of the former royal palace of Bulgaria. The National Art Gallery is a unique place of personal character, where creaky parquet floors and exquisitely ornated ceilings provide the perfect environment in which to review brilliant examples of Bulgarian painting. Surprisingly, canvases are hung in the middle of the room rather than on the walls round the sides.
The National Art Gallery exhibits a collection of well over 12 000 works of art, the oldest dating back to the 18th century. The Bulgarian classical masters of painting and sculpture are represented with their most mature works. It is recommendable to see the works of Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora (1882-1960), whose pictures of Bulgarian peasant girls surrounded by apples, apricots and other fruits have a timeless, spiritual reminiscent of Orthodox icons and true image of Bulgarian woman from that period. If you wish to see modern stuff, then you should head for the ground-floor galleries, where temporary exhibitions of contemporary art are staged. The National Gallery of Artshouses the national collection of fine art from all decades. Spend an hour strolling around this peaceful setting and you’ll find masterpieces of eminent artists.
If you truly admire art, one day to visit the National Gallery of Foreign Art will not be enough. National Gallery of Foreign Art offers to the visitor a stunning collection of work by talented artists, some of whom you haven’t even heard of. Certainly you will come across famous names if you look closely enough, but much of the best stuff is of a small-format variety. The ground floor collection of Asian art, including some serene Burmese Buddhas and gorgeous wood-block prints from Japan, constitutes the main highlight.
The Sofia Art Gallery possesses some of the richest collections of Bulgarian art: 3500 paintings, 800 statues, 2800 graphics and drawings. The Ñîntemporary Art and Photography department was founded in 2004.
Other Galleries:
The Icon Museum in the crypt of the Aleksander Nevski Memorial Church
Stunning collection of Bulgarian icons from the medieval period to the 19th century are on display in the icon museum in the crypt of the Alexander Nevski Memorial Church. Portrayals of horse-riding warrior saints such as George and Demetrius are particularly prominent sincethey served as potent symbols of struggle and survival during the long centuries of Ottoman rule.
Rafaela Gallery
Copies of icons, mural paintings
Address: 12 B,Vrabcha St.
Gallery "Rafaela" is offering a big variety of replica of Bulgarian Orthodox and foreign icons, replica of churches' and monasteries' frescos, original woodcarving and watercolors, oil paintings and other media, made by Mr. Nikolay Kolev and other artists. The Gallery was found in May 1996. It is situated in the center of Sofia, very near to the National Opera house and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Visit the website of Rafaela Gallery
Goethe-Institute Sofia
In Brief: Challenging and off-beat contemporary art shows and stunning exhibitons in the German cultural centre.
Address: Str. Budapeshta 1
Official website of Goethe Institute Sofia
Green Cat Gallery
Str.Varbitsa 6
Modern gallery in the center of Sofia
Website of Green Cat Gallery
Maxim Gallery
Address:Maksim str. Lom 1,
Contemporary work by leading Bulgarian painters and sculptors, in
a tranquil setting.
Website of Maxim ART Gallery
Rakursi
Private gallery specializing in contemporary Bulgarian art, representing
eminent and emerging artists alike. Extensive collection of paintings, graphics, photographs.
address:Khan Krum 4A
Website of Rakursi Gallery
The Red House (Chervenata kashta)
An early 20th century mansion now serving as a cutting-edge
cultural centre.
Address: Lyuben Karavelov str. 15,
Website of Red House Gallery
Gallery of the Union of Bulgarian artists
Located in the upper storeys of the Bulgarian Artists’ Union
building, this hosts a wide variety of shows by artists from
Bulgaria and beyond.
Gallery of the Union of Bulgarian artists
Bulgarian National Gallery for Foreign Art |
The National Gallery for Foreign Art is a spacious gallery located on St Alexander Nevski Square in the capital city of Sofia and serves as the country's national institution for foreign art. The National Gallery for Foreign Art in Sofia is the only one of its kind in the Balkans.
Bulgarian National Gallery of Arts |
The National Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum are housed in the former royal palace. The National Art Gallery exhibits a collection of It hosts 12,000 exhibits by the most prominent contemporary Bulgarian artists.
Sofia City Art Gallery |
Sofia Art Gallery is located in the heart of Sofia in the City Garden (next to the National Theatre and just across of the National Art Gallery). Boasting 1100 square meters of exposition space divided into four compartments, the Sofia Art Gallery arranges 20 exhibitions every year. Some of the exhibitions display works from the Gallery’s collections.