The National Art Gallery in Sofia, Bulgaria may not have the most extensive collection, but it is still worth a visit. Housed in a beautiful palace, the gallery primarily showcases 19th-century art from various European countries and artists. The entrance fee is reasonable, especially for students, and the gallery offers bilingual information for visitors. The gallery provides a nice escape from the heat on hot days, and the grounds outside are pleasant to explore. While some visitors may find the collection underwhelming, others appreciate the mix of portraits, family collections, and exhibitions. The palace itself is an artwork, with stunning marble fireplaces and tiled flooring. The gallery also features contemporary artists, although some visitors express a desire for more contemporary works. Overall, the National Art Gallery is a cultural gem in Sofia, offering a glimpse into Bulgaria's artistic history and showcasing works by renowned Bulgarian artists.
Address:
i, площад „Княз Александър I“ 1, Sofia
Phone:
+359 2 980 0093
Comment
22.08.23
Chris
Summary: Bulgaria tried hard but failed to produce significant artworks. They did buy a few nice paintings from some foreign artists one time. Some of the military paintings are decent. Don't go out of your way to visit.
18.08.23
ム
The museum has a humble size of Art especially for a national museum in the capital however the art is really nice mainly 19th century art from many different mainly european countries/Artist's, the palace it self is also a Art piece being reall.. Read more »y nice 2lew for students and 6 for Adults the price is okay for what you see, the only minus is the small size of the collection for me at least
07.08.23
Christina
So boring, I’m so sorry to say so! But there were only some nice paintings… it’s not much to see! I hope the modern art museum is more interesting! Ok, some paintings were nice, especially Georgi Mitov’s painting Nude was nic.. Read more »e. I’m happy I just paid 2 Lev for the entrance…
27.07.23
Carole
If you’re visiting Sofia I recommend a trip to the Palace National Art Gallery. For a nominal fee of 3 Bulgarian lev (approx £1.50 GB) it’s well worth a visit. There was hardly anyone there when I went so it felt like a private view.. Read more »ing. The gallery itself is stunning with beautiful marble fire places and tiled flooring. The paintings and sculptures aren’t bad too!
18.07.23
Joe
Decent gallery showcasing local artists from the past and present. Entry was 1 euro on Thursdays. Bilingual information is available. It's a nice option on a hot day to escape the heat. Nice grounds outside. Would have liked more contempora.. Read more »ry artists
22.06.23
Steve
Absolutely loved it! The Palace is a beautiful setting for the artworks, and there is a great mix of the portraits, family collection and exhibitions. I could have spent all day just taking in the atmosphere of the Palace, walking the rooms and looki.. Read more »ng at the paintings.
Be sure to look in the mirrors in the main hall as opposite to each other, they create their own artistic feature.
29.03.23
Matilde
Only 3 levas for students. Not very big but there are some interesting paintings.
20.03.23
YH
Unscientific museum, rather frustrating experience.
I am pretty amazed by the almost 4,5 stars review on google map. As a national gallery in a small residence, it has the size around 200 square meters to visit. Apart from this, it is not to be calle.. Read more »d a “national gallery” at all, as it consists almost only of Portraits of Russian Tzar’s family from it’s very countable subjects from 19. century.
06.02.23
Lucas
Best museum of Sofia, you will learn about how arts developed in Bulgaria and about the kings after the liberation of the country. There was an exposition about a Bulgarian contemporary artist, Papazov, it was great and well shown. There is also an .. Read more »ethnographic museum, but I didn't have the time to explore it
31.12.22
Veton
I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Palace - National Art Gallery of Bulgaria and was blown away by the sheer beauty and cultural significance of the exhibits. The gallery boasts an impressive collection of Bulgarian art from the 18th century.. Read more » to the present day, with works by some of the country's most renowned artists on display.
Upon entering the gallery, I was struck by the grandeur of the palace itself, with its ornate decorations and breathtaking architecture. The galleries themselves were equally impressive, with each room showcasing a different period or theme in Bulgarian art.
One of the highlights of my visit was seeing the works of Ivan Mrkvička, a renowned Bulgarian painter who captured the beauty of his homeland through his stunning landscapes and portraits. Another highlight was the contemporary art gallery, which featured works by emerging Bulgarian artists and provided a unique perspective on the country's contemporary art scene.
The Palace - National Art Gallery of Bulgaria is not only a feast for the eyes, but also a window into the rich cultural history of Bulgaria. The knowledgeable and friendly staff added to the experience, answering any questions I had about the exhibits and the artists themselves.
Overall, I highly recommend The Palace - National Art Gallery of Bulgaria to anyone interested in art, culture, or history. The gallery offers something for everyone, and is a must-see attraction in Bulgaria. Five stars!
23.11.22
Kevin
Not the largest collection of art, but it gives one a good feel for 20th century Bulgarian masters and their impact. The interior is worth seeing as well. Many photos offer explanations in English and give additional insights into Bulgarian culture a.. Read more »nd history.
03.11.22
Kristel
Beautiful place and beautiful gallery. The most of the things were interesting. If you visit Sofia and you like art it’s a good visit for you!
26.10.22
Tom
Nice small collection of classical aristocratic art.
Temporary exhibitions where very interesting
- one was on torture and the spaces it's committed in
- the other was about the meaning of having a Soviet era cars and the mindset of people that .. Read more »own them today - fascinating
25.10.22
Nico
The ticket ?️ price for students was 3lv, the gallery ?️ is located in the same building as the ethnographic museum and is also located on 2 floors the same as the ethnographic museum there were a lot of paintings with the more abstract ones on the f.. Read more »irst floor and the more classic ones on the second. You also get a fancy ticket when you enter unlike as the ethnographic museum, this gallery just like the ethnographic museum is part ot the 100 tourist destinations from the bulgarian tourist organization.
23.08.22
Nico
The ticket ?️ price for students was 3lv, the gallery ?️ is located in the same building as the ethnographic museum and is also located on 2 floors the same as the ethnographic museum there were a lot of paintings with the more abstract ones on the f.. Read more »irst floor and the more classic ones on the second. You also get a fancy ticket when you enter unlike as the ethnographic museum, this gallery just like the ethnographic museum is part ot the 100 tourist destinations from the bulgarian tourist organization.
07.08.22
Milos
Good place and nice to visit , pay ticket and enter . You can choose what you want to see
10.05.22
Plamena
A lovely way to experience Bulgarian art and history. Also, may is wisteria season, great for photoshoots.
16.04.22
Mahdis
Poor. I tried to visit this building during easter holidays. Not only it was closed, but also there was no information paper or notice at entrance. There was remnants of construction in front if main door and the building seemed abandoned. It is such.. Read more » a pity because inside seemed beautiful in the pictures.
25.03.22
samuel
Pretty average art but, still an amusing visit. I have attached a selection of my favourite paintings.
30.01.22
Zurba
Really interesting to see Bulgarian art but not only from Bulgaria, there were artist from Rumania, Poland and many more places.
They had a more contemporary part with more recent works of art and then a section mainly filled with work from around 18.. Read more »70 - 1930 roughly.
It's worth the visit as it's really cheap and it has de ethnology Museum in the same building if you feel the need for more.
29.01.22
Ettore
Sofia's National Art Gallery is worth only for its building, incredible architecture - a little tiny bit like when you visit the Uffizi in Firenze. Unfortunately they don’t seem prepared for tourists, since almost no one spoke English. Oth.. Read more »er than that, it’s a MUST if you’re visiting Sofia, a good amount of their national history is hidden inside these huge tall walls, with glasses all around that will make you feel in Versailles for a moment.
08.01.22
Златомир
Amazing place to learn about Bulgaria. And it's not even that expensive. The place is the old Royal Palace for the Bulgarian Tzars. Simply being there feels grandiose.
31.10.21
marta
Beautiful places, but they don't work regularly, because covid-19. Check the work time museum before visit!
21.10.21
Dimitar
I wanted to go to the National Art Gallery for a long time. I was aware of it's history as the former Bulgaria king's palace and I was really excited to see what the inside is and how the different rooms in it are structured. I can definite.. Read more »ly say, that I was not disappointed.
The gallery on the second floor was decorated just like the big palaces in the other big European cities. Although the palace itself is not as big as most of it's counterparts in western Europe, the rooms and halls and especially the ballroom hall are spectacular. As most of the royal palaces in the other parts of Europe, it follows the baroque aesthetics (although not as flashy as the other places). On display was the royal collection of paintings, featuring all bulgarian royalties from the new Bulgarian kingdom, established after the liberation from the Otoman empire. The collection features a lot of works from some of the most notable Bulgarian artists and some originals from foreign artists, which are indeed marvelous.
In the other galleries, the active composition was a collection of paintings from a world renowned artist Alzek Misheff.
It is also good to note that the National Ethnography Museum is also housed in this building, but in the right wing. It is definitely worth it to visit.
03.10.21
Elina
One of the best decision was visiting this museum. It's definitely a must! Really friendly staff, willing to share interesting facts, especially a lovely lady who was knitting using a loom.
07.09.21
Lorenzo
I was honestly a bit disappointed for the overall experience, not much painting and not well maintained. For the price tho I cannot complain
07.08.21
Nelson
Actually, I went to the Bulgarian ethnographic museum, which is in the same building.
The museum was recommended by my Sofia Free Walking Tour guide. She noted that the 20-30 members of the walking tour came from many different countries, but now in .. Read more »the 21st century, we all dress pretty much the same. Prior to the early to mid 20th century, each region of Bulgaria had its own, unique style of dress, and from the style, one would know lots of information about the individual: were they wealthy, married, from the north or south, etc? The museum pointed this out well. It also moves through time, showing how fashions changed from rural village to urban then to communist fashion. And, of course, there was lots more. Displays about the unique (albeit inspired) architecture and agriculture.
And there was the nicest lady working a loom on the second floor. She wanted to make sure I saw the 1st floor exhibit.
All in all, a nice, little museum.
17.07.21
Esen
Entrance is 2 lev on Thursdays. The staff was polite.
03.01.21
Kamen
Wonderful place to spend an hour or so. You can see wonderful pieces of Murkvichka, I liked most. Tickets very inexpensive. if in Sofia, definitely a must visit.
29.11.20
Samuel
There are cool arts works to inspire your creativity, go check it out
02.11.20
Dan
There were one or two pieces I liked whilst the rest were pretty boring to me. I don't think it's worth visiting at all.
04.10.20
Catherine
It is in the same building as archeological museum, was a bit difficult to find. Small exposition on 2 floors. Downstairs is a modern art.
It was okay, nothing outstanding.
People, who are working there are really friendly. They don't speak Engl.. Read more »ish, but you can understand each other anyway.
26.08.20
Danny
A little small compared to other national arts museums but it could be because it's shared with another museum also ( National Ethnological Museum ). Nonetheless, I liked it very much and for 6BGN it's worth it.
16.08.20
Rebekka
Not worth visiting ?
30.07.20
Lora
Amazing! Visited on a Sunday and we were the only visitors. There are a good number of people working in the gallery so we weren't completely alone. The photo exposition on the ground floor was amazing - it was matching the actual pandemic situ.. Read more »ation around the world. While on the 1st floor there are multiple drawings taking the visitor through the Bgarian history. The price is 6lv per adult. In the same building there is the Ethnographic museum which has a separate fee. Recommended!
08.04.20
Eli
The National Art Gallery is located at the heart of the city centre, housed in the former palace. ?
The gallery possesses precious pieces of art from a range of periods from the Bulgarian history.
Often, the National Art Gallery presents foreign exh.. Read more »ibitions from many countries and different artists.
04.02.20
Evina
I love the building itself more than the exhibitions in it but they have interesting pieces of artwork sometimes. It’s one of my favorite places in Sofia anyway. Price is worthy.
14.03.19
Emilia
Amazing gallery with fabulous artists and their paintings.
One of the exibitions that was reqlly interesting to see.
And i love the beautiful building.
4.3 / 107
