Parliament, Sofia

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This large cobbled square takes its name from the National Assembly building on its northern side. This building is home to parliament, on the roof are a row of Grecian-style urns. Above the entrance are the words "Unity is Strength".

In front of the Radisson SAS Grand Hotel in the centre of the square is an equestrian statue of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. It was his war with the Ottoman Empire in 1877-1878 that led to the liberation of Bulgaria. Around the pedestral are statues of Russian and Bulgarian fighters.

The National Parliament is an impressive building in Sofia, even if it is sort of ugly. Its not ugly in the seventies sense of architecture, but rather because it is so impersonal and grey that it hardly inspire the sort of democratic grandeur as the parliament buildings in Athens or other capital cities. Nevertheless, the building is a great site as it fits in quite well with the entire development which has a sort of commanding air to it. The columns are vaguely neo-classical, although the rest of the building is purely the product of Communist imagination or lack thereof.

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In front of the Parliament Building, there's a square dominated by the Monument to the Liberators, with a statue of the Russian Tzar Alexander II on the horse. His forces fought for Bulgarian independence, thus the name 'Tzar Liberator.'

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Take the yellow brick road from the Cathedral to Parliament Square, and you'll see the Parliament building on your left. It was built from 1884 to 1928, following the designs of the Vianesse architect Yovanovich.

The 1st thing you'll notice when approaching the building's the motto 'Unity makes strenght.'

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The Parliament building is located in the area we call " The yellow pave" because all the streets are covered with yellow pavement. From what I know they are a gift from the Russian communist government long time ago(We were meant to be one of its republics after all). The area spreads from The Sofia University "Kliment Ohridski" all the way to TZUM - the shopping mole and the National Assembly ( former communist party building)

This is the Parliament building, which by itself is a landmark that I think should not be missed. Then again, I don't think you'll miss it if you visit Alexander Nevsky since the two buildings are right next to each other.

Bulgaria's Parliament, the National Assembly, listed as a cultural monument, is situated on the square of the same name on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.

Based on plans by architect Constantin Yovanovic, who studied in Vienna and Switzerland and authored the design of the Serbian Assembly (1891-1892) as well, It was built in three stages from 1884 to 1928.

The style of the building is neo-Renaissance. The interior has been refurbished many times but its appearance has been basically preserved in its original shape.

Above the main entrance runs the slogan "Unity makes Strength" (Obedinenieto Pravi Silata) which is a good thing to say but even better if you try to put it into force. That is not the case with our Parliement, tough :)

I have never been inside, I took the picture from the parlieament's web-site. Also there, there is an info that there are organised visits of the place. I never felt an irrisitable desire to visit the parliament, so I haven't checked if it is true. But if you are interested, you may try to call the number below. It is the phone of the Public relations department of the Parliement. They should help you to find the right person for the organised visits.

As in any big city, there is something called "main city square". I liked the Sofia one because it was big, beautiful and very clean.
What I also liked a lot was the road of yellow bricks (makes you feel like Dorothy :)) which runs through the town

Visit the National Assembly at least to see it from outside
The Parliament ( National Assembly) building, listed as a cultural monument, is situated on the square of the same name on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. It was built in three stages from 1884 to 1928, on plans of the Viennese architect Yovanovich. Above the main entrance runs the slogan 'Unity Makes Strength'.

Just infront of the building of the parliament there is a big statue of the Russian Tzar Nikolaj who freed Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire in 1876.
It worths of taking a photo.