bg Varna

Former Napredak Bank

- Preslav Street 1 -
The former bank building was built according to the design of the Bulgarian architect and civil engineer . The sculptural elements are the work of the Bulgarian sculptor . It was built in 1911 as a trading house for the Karabatanova and Prodromova families. In the past, the building was used as a branch of the former Napredak bank. Unfortunately, a few years ago, a magnificent triangular , emphasizing the attic with an impressive and richly decorated was destroyed during one of the last renovations.
An archived drawing of the building created in 1911
What immediately catches your attention are the two eagles on both corners of the building. The eagles are holding a garland wreath in their claws. In between the eagles you can see a fragment with whiplash lines that are adorned with floral ornaments, that are so characteristic of the Art Nouveau style. The fragment underneath it is adorned with two lions that are holding a decorated with foliage and a decorative shell. One floor down there's a balcony with a wrought iron railing that's adorned with floral ornaments. The two supportive underneath the balcony are decorated with acanthus foliage and .
An old photo from 1980 with the pediment still on top of the corner
The western and eastern sides of the building are identical. Underneath the roof you'll see two different kinds of cartouches, one in a shape of a harp and the other decorated with a garland. The fragments one floor down are decorated in the same way as one of the fragments on the southern side of the building.
The pediment that nowadays is no longer there