Why the National Gallery is Split into Two
Sofia’s National Gallery is housed in two very different buildings, both centrally located and walkable: the former Royal Palace on Knyaz Alexander I (Battenberg) Square—now known as The Palace—and Kvadrat 500 (often referred to as Square 500), a large complex situated just behind St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The Palace focuses on temporary exhibitions, while Kvadrat 500 presents a broad permanent display, featuring Bulgarian art from the 19th to the 20th centuries alongside works from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
The Palace: A Royal Shell Filled With Changing Shows
Sofia’s former royal residence was converted into a museum after World War II, but its history dates back to the 1880s. The first Bulgarian monarch, Knyaz Alexander I Battenberg, commissioned Viktor Rumpelmayer to remodel the old Ottoman konak into a European-style palace, which was opened in 1882. In the 1890s, Friedrich Grünanger added the east wing for the royal apartments. Today, the building houses temporary exhibitions of Bulgarian and international art; the National Ethnographic Museum is located in the opposite wing. Expect refined salons, ballrooms, and traces of the court era as you move between shows. Address: 1 Knyaz Alexander I Sq. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 (closed Mon). Tickets are modest, with a combined ticket available for both sites.
Kvadrat 500: The “Big One” Behind the Cathedral
Kvadrat 500 is the National Gallery’s largest venue—28 halls across four levels, opened to the public in 2015 after a significant rebuild. The complex incorporates the old State Printing House (1881–83, architect Friedrich Schwanberg), which was damaged in 1944 air raids and later adapted for the National Gallery of Foreign Art in the 1980s. The current design, completed 2012–2014 (arch. Yanko Apostolov), links the historic volumes into a coherent museum. Inside: Bulgarian art from the mid-19th and 20th centuries; European art from the 15th–19th centuries; and selections from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Address: 1, 19th February St., St Alexander Nevsky Sq. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 (closed Mon).
What you’ll see (typical highlights)
- Bulgarian art encompasses icons and church art, 19th-century National Revival portraiture, early modern movements, and a strong 20th-century painting and sculpture scene, as exemplified by Kvadrat 500.
- European art: selected works from the Renaissance to the 19th century at Kvadrat 500.
- World collections: curated rotations from Asia, Africa, and the Americas—often grouped thematically alongside Bulgarian art, at Kvadrat 500.
- Temporary exhibitions: rotating solo and thematic shows at The Palace (and special projects at Kvadrat 500). Always check the gallery’s Exhibitions page before you go.
Tickets, passes, and good-to-know
- Standard tickets (current examples): Kvadrat 500 15 BGN / ~€7.67; The Palace 8 BGN / ~€4.09. Thursdays are discounted; family tickets and free categories are available (for children up to 12 years old, visitors with disabilities, art school pupils/students, ICOM/ICOMOS members, etc.). Guided tour: 50 BGN / ~€25.56 (book ahead). A combined ticket for Kvadrat 500 and The Palace is 20 BGN (~€10.23)—the easiest way to see both in one day. Always reconfirm prices/hours before visiting.
- Hours: Both sites are open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00–18:00; ticket desks close 30 minutes before closing time. The sites are closed on Mondays and major holidays.
- Location & link-ups: The two venues are a pleasant 12–15 minute walk apart through the historic core—City Garden, the National Theatre, and Alexander Nevsky Square sit on your route.
A Smart One-day Route
Morning—The Palace: Start in the royal salons with a temporary exhibition; the scale is manageable in 60–90 minutes. Coffee across the street in the City Garden, then stroll past the National Theatre toward Alexander Nevsky.
Afternoon—Kvadrat 500: Allow yourself 2 hours or more for the permanent displays. If you’re short on time, prioritise the Bulgarian 19th–20th century sequence and the icon rooms, then dip into one or two international sections that interest you most.
Building Backstories (for architecture lovers)
- Royal Palace timeline: Ottoman konak → 1880–82 transformation by Viktor Rumpelmayer under Alexander I; 1894–96 east wing by Friedrich Grünanger under Ferdinand I; post-1944 government seat; museum complex from 1953 (National Gallery + Ethnographic Museum). The style blends Viennese Neo-Baroque and French influences; inside, you’ll still sense the state apartments and ceremonial rooms.
- Kvadrat 500 timeline: State Printing House approved 1880; built 1881–83 by Friedrich Schwanberg; partially destroyed in 1944; repurposed for the National Gallery for Foreign Art in the 1980s; competition 2010 and reconstruction 2012–2014 created today’s museum complex; opened 2015.
Practical Tips
- Go early (or late afternoon) to enjoy quieter rooms and softer light in The Palace’s interiors.
- Travel light: small bags are easier to carry; cloakrooms are available.
- Photography: Non-flash photography is generally acceptable in many rooms, but policies vary by exhibition—please check the signs and staff for details.
- Combined ticket first: Buy it at whichever site you start with to keep your day flexible.
- Nearby extras: If the Ethnographic Museum is open during your time slot, it is located in the same palace building. The Alexander Nevsky Crypt Museum of Christian Art is a short walk away and is also part of the National Gallery network (separate tickets or combos are available).
Essential Links (official)
- National Gallery – Kvadrat 500: Hours, Tickets, Address, and Current Exhibitions. nationalgallery.bg
- National Gallery – The Palace: hours, tickets, address, current exhibitions. nationalgallery.bg
