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Statue of Sofia

The Statue of Sofia is a monumental sculpture in Sofia, Bulgaria, officially opened to the public on December 28, 2000. It was approved by the Sofia City Council on September 17, 2000, and erected over two days, from December 25 to 27, 2000, on a site once occupied by a statue of Lenin. Created by sculptor Georgi Chapkanov, the copper and bronze figure stands 8.08 meters high on a 16-meter pedestal and weighs about 5 tons. It is adorned with a crown, wreath, and owl, symbolizing power, fame, and wisdom. The statue was intended as a symbol of better times in the new millennium.

Statue of Sofia, a monumental female figure with a gilded face and crown, holding a wreath on a tall pedestal.
The Statue of Sofia rises above the city on a tall pedestal, with gilded details and dramatic drapery.
October 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Statue of Sofia on a tall dark column against a clear blue sky, with a streetlight in front.
The Statue of Sofia rises on a tall column in Sofia, Bulgaria, silhouetted against the sky.
September 2006 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Lower part of the Statue of Sofia showing bare feet and draped stone folds on a dark pedestal.
The Statue of Sofia, focusing on the figure’s bare feet and draped lower half above a dark pedestal.
October 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Stone base of the Statue of Sofia with a carved cross-and-anchor emblem and a small vessel on the ledge above it, partly obscured by foliage.
The stone base of the Statue of Sofia, showing a carved cross-and-anchor emblem and a small vessel above it.
October 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleStatue of Sveta Sofia
SubjectSveta Sofia
Alternative titlesStatue of Sofia; Statue of the "Holy Sofia"; "Heilige Sofia" statue
TypeStatue; monumental sculpture; large sculpture; bronze statue; female figure
Original-language nameСвета София (Sveta Sofija)

Historical context

Construction period25–27 December 2000
Original planInitially planned as a dedication to Saint Sophia and to be placed on the former Party House, with a clock tower
Previous site useThe site was previously occupied by a Lenin statue
ControversyThe project was controversial because the Orthodox Church and critics objected to associating it with Sophia of Rome and the pagan Sophia of the Hellenistic period
Opening byStefan Sofiyanski, then mayor of Sofia
Public opening date28 December 2000
Approval bodySofia City Council
Approval date17 September 2000

Creator

ArchitectStanislaw Konstantinow
SculptorGeorgi Chapkanov (Georgi Tschapkanow; Georgi Čăpkanov)

Discovery and provenance

Name originNamed after the Church of Saint Sophia (Sweta Sofia), which gave the city of Sofia its name
City name originThe city of Sofia was founded as Serdica by the Romans; its present name derives from the church Sweta Sofia, not from a saint
Namesake churchChurch of Saint Sophia / Sweta Sofia, outside the gates of ancient Serdica; dedicated to the Wisdom of God
Day of Sofia17 September was declared the city holiday of Sofia by the Sofia City Council on 25 March 1992
Reason for confusion17 September is also the feast day of Saint Sophia of Milan, which caused confusion with the city name

Physical characteristics

LocationIndependence Square, Sofia, Bulgaria, at the junction of Todor Aleksandrow Boulevard and Knjaginja Maria Luisa Boulevard
Nearby landmarksSt. Joseph Catholic Cathedral behind; St. Nedelya Cathedral to the right; Banya Bashi Mosque to the left; entrance to the Serdica metro station and underpass to St. Petka Paraskeva Church and the Archaeological Complex Serdica nearby
View directionLooking across Independence Square toward the former Party House of the Bulgarian Communist Party (now part of the Parliament/Narodno Sabranie)
OrientationFacing east
Assembled parts160
PlacementSet on a high pedestal
Pedestal height16 m
Height8.8 m
WeightAbout 5 tons

Materials

Statue materialCopper and bronze
Pedestal materialMarble

Technique

Surface treatmentThe exposed parts of the figure are gilded

Appearance

HeadwearGolden crown
Overall appearanceRegal, authoritative, and powerful
ClothingAn antiquizing garment and flowing wind-swept cloak billowing backward
Left armOutstretched, with an owl sitting on it
Right handHolding a laurel wreath
Depicted figureA young woman standing upright with outstretched arms

Iconography and meaning

SymbolismIntended to embody the greatness and beauty of Sofia and to symbolize better times in the new millennium
InterpretationA symbol for all residents of Sofia regardless of religion; also the protector of the city and country
Crown symbolismSymbol of power; also associated with Tyche and inspired by the old emblem of Sofia from 1900
Laurel wreath symbolismSymbol of fame and victory; also associated with supreme power and, through its circular form, infinity, perfection, and renewing vitality
Owl symbolismSymbol of wisdom
Interpretive historyInitially interpreted by the city and sculptor as Saint/Holy Sofia or an allegory of the city of Sofia; later the sculptor said it should simply be understood as Sofia
Rejected interpretationsA saintly patron figure of Sofia and a goddess of wisdom were both rejected as incorrect interpretations
Related religious explanationThe church name refers to the Wisdom of God, not to a saint

Location and ownership

Current locationSofia, Bulgaria