Sofia Court House
Contact Info
Private Message
Description
- Sofia
- Posted 2 years ago
The Sofia Court House is a building in Sofia, Bulgaria, that houses various courts. It is situated at 2 Vitosha Boulevard, which is flanked by Alabin Street, Laveleye Street, and Positano Street in a minimalist but majestic style.
Behind the magnificent, iconic building’s classical and Byzantine-inspired façade are chambers where judicial history has been played out.
The Sofia Court House (Sadebna Palata, or Palace of Justice) is a towering piece of eclectic architecture and the city’s major judicial centerpiece. Admire its unique design as you gaze up at its elaborate cornice and limestone portico. The courthouse, which has housed Sofia’s courtrooms since 1940, has a remarkable history that includes numerous major cases and dramatic occurrences.
View the Sofia Court House from across the street to appreciate its massive size and sombre style. Those interested in architecture will notice the building’s white limestone façade’s varied design. You’ll see the portico’s 12 symmetrical columns and five enormous entrances, which are traditional aspects of the architecture. The Sofia Court House, on the other hand, has a fourth storey and a superb cornice instead of a baluster. Take note of the Roman and Byzantine-style decoration on the doors and windows of the structure.
The Sofia Court House, designed by Nikola Lazarov and Pencho Koychev in the 1920s, was the city’s first monumental edifice. Two more significant instances of this style of architecture are the Bulgarian National Bank and the Largo. Walk around the structure, which occupies a whole city block, and envision the many trials and hearings that take place every day in the 24 courtrooms housed there.
Take note of the bronze lions flanking the courthouse’s main entrance. Political protestors have attacked this façade on many occasions, with demonstrators inundating the structure with tomatoes and painting red clown noses on the lions in a gesture of defiance.
While the Sofia Court House is generally unavailable to the general public, it may be seen from the exterior at any time of day. Include the Sofia Court House on your walking tour of Sofia’s historic center, along with the Sveta Nedelya Church, Sveta Petka Church, and the Church of St. George. Nearby attractions include the City Garden and the National Archaeological Museum. The courthouse is a few minutes’ walk south of Serdika, Sofia’s major metro station.