Battenberg Mausoleum, Sofia, Bulgaria

The Memorial Tomb of Alexander I of Battenberg in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is the mausoleum and final resting place of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria (1857–1893), the first Head of State of modern Bulgaria.

Commissioned to the Swiss architect Hermann Mayer, designed in the eclectic style (with prominent elements of Neo-Baroque and Neoclassicism) and opened in 1897, the mausoleum measures 11 metres in height and 80 square metres in area. The interior was painted by the noted Bulgarian artist Haralampi Tachev.

When Alexander died in exile in Graz, Austria in 1893, he was initially buried there. However, in accordance with his wish, his remains were transferred to the Bulgarian capital. He was given a state funeral attended by the new prince, Ferdinand of Bulgaria, Alexander's widow Johanna Loisinger, and a great number of Bulgarians. Following a service in the St Nedelya Church his body was moved to the Church of St George and subsequently to the newly constructed mausoleum in the centre of the city.

The mausoleum was closed between 1947 and 1991, during the period of Communist rule in Bulgaria, but was subsequently reopened for the public. Today it also exhibits some of Alexander's private possessions and papers, donated by his wife in 1937.

References:

Wikipedia

Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in Bulgaria

User Reviews

Christopher Day (2 years ago)
A small but significant piece of post-Ottoman history. Well worth a look if you are passing.

Andrew Kinghorn (2 years ago)
Grumpy, rude old man guarding it. I'm sorry I forgot to take my hat off but I could have done without the dirty looks after I complied. Just remind people politely.

Filip Đorđević (2 years ago)
Interesting place, not very popular among foreign visitors. Free entrance.

Emil Gavrailov (3 years ago)
We were shocked it was opened but they did not have their bathroom opened and their security guard could not go to the bathroom all day! Shame on you!!!!!!!

Emil Stoyanov (9 years ago)
The memorial tomb of Alexander I of Batten berg is situated in a very small garden in couple of benches. The garden is closed most of the time and is rarely open but is very beautiful.

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