Located on Battenberg Square in Sofia, the National Art Gallery occupies the historic Ottoman Chelebi mosque and konak, converted into the former royal palace of Bulgaria. The palace, built in two stages during the late 19th century, served as the residence for Bulgarian royalty. After World War II, the monarchy was abolished, and the palace was largely given to the National Art Gallery.
Established in 1934, the gallery moved to the palace in 1946. It houses a diverse collection, including Renaissance and contemporary art, medieval paintings, and over four thousand icons. The National Gallery for Foreign Art, an independent section, was established in 1985. Since 2015, the 19th and 20th century collections are exhibited together, creating the National Gallery Square 500.
References:The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.