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National Academy of Art Undergoes Urgent Renovation

Nikolay Zabov, Dahnyelle Dymytrov
National Academy of Art Undergoes Urgent Renovation
National Academy of Art Undergoes Urgent Renovation
Ongoing renovations at the National Academy of Art, Sofia, August 12, 2025 (BTA Photo/Hristo Kasabov)
Sofia,  
13.08.2025 14:21
 (BTA)

Prof. Georgi Yankov, Rector of the National Academy of Art (NAA) in Sofia, told BTA on Wednesday that it was high time for the building hosting the NAA to undergo renovations, as confirmed by two expert assessments carried out by the laboratory at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia. Both assessments concluded that the building is very dangerous, with the second expert opinion stating that it should be taken out of service because it endangers the lives and health of the people inside it.

The renovation of the northern wing of the NAA began on June 17, 2025. The reconstruction project was commissioned on November 19, 2008, and approved in 2012. This building built in 1905 is the first that the NAA acquired.

The NAA had been seeking funding for the project for nearly eight years. Yankov said: "Finally, two years ago, we found it and went through all the stages of arranging all the documentation, through all the possible institutions. You know, it is not easy to undertake such a renovation. At the beginning of July, we moved on to the actual reconstruction. It was an absolutely urgent, pressing renovation."

ARCHAEOLOGY

The reconstruction uncovered graves dating back to between the 3rd and 5th centuries AD. The Rector told BTA: "Each room is excavated to a depth under the constant supervision of an archaeologist from the Regional History Museum Sofia. Everything is described, examined, and when finished, we move on to the next stage. We work in sync with the archaeologists so that we do not interrupt our work."

He added: "As people of art, we treat historical artifacts with extreme care and will not allow anything to be damaged or destroyed."

Elena Nikolova, archaeologist at the History Museum, told BTA: "The building is located on part of the eastern ancient necropolis of Serdica, so it was known and expected that we would come across a core of tomb structures. The necropolis has been known for a long time. Colleagues have studied it before us, and they are studying it now."

Nikolova reported that the graves unearthed so far may have high scientific value, but they have no exhibition value. She added: "If we should come across a tomb with murals or complex architecture, which is not uncommon, as we know from the ones already found here in the square, then it would need to be exhibited and would have really high artistic value."

The archaeologist said that every tomb discovered on the territory of the academy has important value, which will provide additional information about the necropolis itself, its dating, and the people who lived in the city in ancient times.

DEADLINES

Yankov said that the renovation should be completed in two and a half years. He added: "The only thing that could slow us down is if some valuable archaeological find appears, and we would have to preserve and conserve it, which could delay the project. Other than that, we are progressing at a good pace so far."

/DD/

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By 13:27 on 16.08.2025 Today`s news

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