bg Ruse

Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library

- Knyaz Alexander Dondukov Korsakov Street 1 -
The building was built in 1911 for the first Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was designed by the Bulgarian architect . The clock, which was manufactured by the German company Voyle in 1922, is mounted above the main entrance. The Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 1890 and was housed in the building until 1948. Shortly after it, it was in use by the management of the construction team of the Friendship Bridge. In 1954, the Regional Library moved into the building, which was later expanded with an additional building on the east side.
Technical drawing of the building
The building on the east side belonged to the merchant Todor Atanasov. It is the work of the Austrian construction technician Ivan Mayor, who worked in Ruse after the . The building also housed the printing house of Todor Petrov, where the newspaper called the Municipal Gazette was printed, which was of great importance for the people of Ruse.
The additional building
The most eye-catching feature of the Eclectic and Neo-Baroque main building is the tower like structure on the corner with a majestic bell shaped dome on top of it. Within the dome you'll be able, to see a clock, which is surrounded by floral ornamentation. Underneath the clock, you can see an , which states БИБЛИОТЕКА ЛЮБЕН КАРАВЕЛОВ (Library Lyuben Karavelov). On top of each of the hip roofs, which are located on top of each of the wings, you can see lavishly decorated . The gables are decorated with , , and .

Underneath the roof , you'll see a strip of , as well as four lion head . The three balconies are supported by four beautifully decorated and are secured with stone belustrades that are adorned with . The two round shaped that flank the main entrance door are crowned with Ionic .

The additional building is built in the styles of Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque. The building contains a beautifully decorated dormer that's located within the hip roof dome. In between the unusually shaped dentils you'll be able to see a . A segmental or a pointed is placed above the windows on the second floor. Within and underneath the pediment you'll see some beautiful richly decorated floral ornamentation, as well as a cartouche. The windows are flanked by pilasters that are crowned by Corinthian capitals.
An old postcard showing the building