bg Sofia

Faculty of Theology

- Sveta Nedelya Square 19 -
The construction of the educational building, as a building for the Higher Theological School, began with the declaration of independence of Bulgaria in 1908 and was completed in 1914, but the finishing works and the application of the frescoes continued until the autumn of 1923. The building was designed by the Viennese architect and the murals are the work of the Russian artist . The faculty was established in 1923 and quickly became a major center for theological education.

Unfortunately, during the of Sofia on January 10, 1944, during the , the building was badly damaged. The beautiful dome and its central fresco were completely destroyed. The central fresco, which represents the solemn liturgy at which reads the decree for an independent Bulgarian church, is the work of the Bulgarian artist .

In 1951, for ideological reasons imposed by the atheism of the leading ruling Bulgarian Communist Party, by a decree of the National Assembly, the Faculty of Theology was separated from the Sofia University and established as a higher theological school with the name Theological Academy "St. Kliment Ohridski". In July 1991, the management of the Sofia University invited the then Theological Academy to become a faculty of the University again, which was accepted and carried out.
The building is almost reaching its completion in 1917
The building, which is built in the Eclectic style, also contains some elements of Byzantine architecture. This can be seen in a large number of circle top windows, and the beautiful use of tiles, as well as red brick stripes. The arch above the entrance that's located on the north side of the building is lavishly decorated with foliage, , and an motif. The states СОФИЙСКИ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ „СВ. КЛИМЕНТ ОХРИДСКИ“ - БОГОСЛОВСКИ ФАКУЛТЕТ (Sofia University "Saint Kliment Ohridski ”- Faculty of Theology). The arch is supported by four columns, which are all crowned with Corinthian . All of the that can be seen around the entire building are also crowned with Corinthian capitals.
The Faculty of Theology in 1930 with the dome still on
On the northern and eastern sides of the building, you'll see a total of three semi-hexagonal with a domed roof on top of it. On the northern and western sides of the building, you can admire multiple frescoes of educators, church figures, and guardians of the Bulgarian Exarchate. Above the three circle top windows that can be seen above the entrance on the south side of the building, you'll be able to see a fragment that's adorned with a swirl motif, fleurs-de-lis, a book, and a holy cross.
The central fresco, which was also destroyed during the Anglo-American bombing