national theater, Sofia

Built in 1907 and the home of Bulgaria's state drama company, this stunning Neo-Classical building faces the City Garden. Its colonnaded facade is topped by a pediment containing a relief of Apollo surrounded by reclining muses. On top of its towers are trumpeters in chariots drawn by a trio of lions.

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The Ivan Vazov National Theatre (Naroden teatar Ivan Vazov) is the oldest theatre in Bulgaria.

Like many other theatres in Eastern Europe, also this one was designed by the Viennese architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner.

The Neoclassical building was inaugurated in Januray 1907. It has three theatre halls, of which the biggest has a capacity of 700 seats.

Directions:
The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is situated in an pestrianised area right in the city centre of Sofia.

Address:
Ivan Vazov National Theatre, ul, Dyakon Ignatiy 5, Sofia

Website: http://www.nationaltheatre.bg/

The National Theatre Ivan Vazov was built in 1906-1907, featuring on top Greek mythological figures. The triangular white and gold frieze above the front stairs shows Apollo and the Muses, and twin towers on either side of the building depict the Goddess Nike in a chariot. The interior was restored in 1929, after a fire had destroyed it six years earlier. The fountain and its reflecting pool in front of the theatre building were built in 1976. A must see when visiting Sofia.

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Isn't it beautiful?

The oldest and biggest Drama theater. Created in 1904 by the troups "Sulza i Smiah" - tear and laugh that was than having the function of a state theater. Its participants were the pioneers of the bulgarian scene.

The Theater was built in 1906 after the plans of the architects from Wien - Helmer and Felner.
It contains 700 seats. After a fire in 1923 the building was rebuilt and reconstructed between the years 1925 and 1928 from achitect A.Momov and engineer M. Sakelarov according to the plans of an architect from Dresden - Dulfer. The seats in the main hall are increased to 1200,the scene is expanded and provided with modern equipment. The general appearence of the theater was preserved, changes were made in the volume, interior and facade and some modern forms were bring added. During the second world war the building was damaged by bombs and was reconstructed after the end of the war by bulgarian architects and engineers.
From 1952 to 1962 the Theater was named "Krusjo Sarafov" . On the 16 jan 1962 the National Assembly gave him its present name - "Ivan Vazov"
The info was taken from " Short Bulgarian Encyclopaedia" from 1964.

The National Theatre 'Ivan Vazov' was built in 1907 and is the biggest and most beautiful theatre in Bulgaria. It bears the name of one of Bulgaria's most famous authors. This impressive building is adorned with Greek Mythology statues. It makes a great sight both at daytime with the green park and the fountain opposit, and at night, when it's illuminated. The interior is also very nice. There are two stages, the main big one, and one, very small on the last floor in the back. All the plays I've seen there were excellent. The last one was 'The Contrabass' by Patrik Susskind. This play had been running for several years with tickets sold out all the time. If you have even a basic knowledge of Bulgarian, go and see a play! Anyway, the tickets are no more than 5 euros!
On Easter eve in 2002 there was a techno party in the theatre's lobby. Imagine the ellegant interiour shaken up by groovy beats and dancing people. It was a different experience: going to church at midnight and then dancing till the morning in the theatre, very spiritual :)
The area is especially nice in spring and summer. The small park leading the to National Art Gallery is green and shady, the fountain nice, plus there are several open-air cafes around so you can sit down and enjoy it. On the left side of the fountain there are several chess tables, if you're a fan, you can stand by and watch, maybe try a game. Just be prepared to lose, don't forget that both men's and women's world champions are Bulgarians...

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The Garden in front of the National Theater is a nice place to take a walk. Even tho it's not big , its strategic location in the pure heart of the city makes it a pleasent escape from the crowded streets that surround it.
The fountain makes the air in the area refreshing,hopefully it will work all summer long....
In the summer months there are different events , symphonic weeks , several open air cafes are aswell located here in the pedestrian area in front of the theater.
In the garden you can spot seniors playing chess on the benches.

A beautiul house located at the back of the National Theatre is used as a siege of "Commercial and Investment bank"

The same building of "Commercial and Investment bank" in daylight and in a night dress. Don't you feel it looks pretty boring compared to its evening outfit? That's why I love Sofia at night....
Ok maybe I am not right, but I like more the drama evening look. It's still a pretty thing even by day.

It's by night that I like Sofia the most. First of all because there are no crowds of people and traffic jams. So you can take a walk around the famous area of the "yellow paves" - it's a name we have for an area where the streetz are covered with yellow rocks, a gift from the russian communist government back at the time. It's the area where used to be the mausoleum with George Dimitrov. Now a nice garden in front of the Theater with fountains and different art statues makes it a pleasent place to sit and take a rest. On the other end of the garden in the National bank, the National Art gallery that used to be the king's palace, the back of the communist party building. In the subway in front of it are the ruins of ancient Sofia.