Modern & monumentSofia & Western Bulgaria

The Battenberg Mausoleum, Sofia's Tomb of Prince Alexander I

The Battenberg Mausoleum, at 81 Vasil Levski Boulevard in Sofia, is the final resting place of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria (1857–1893), the first head of state of modern Bulgaria. Opened in 1897, this small, domed building in an eclectic style mixes neo-baroque and neoclassical elements and has an interior painted by Haralampi Tachev. It is an easy stop in the middle of the capital.

Bulgaria's first prince died in exile in Austria, but the country demanded him back. His tomb in Sofia was later shut for more than four decades under communism.

Where81 Vasil Levski Boulevard, in the centre of Sofia

TypeMausoleum and memorial tomb of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria

Best forHistory and architecture fans on a short city walk, and visitors interested in the Principality of Bulgaria

Getting thereIn central Sofia, on Vasil Levski Boulevard, reachable on foot from other city-centre sights

The history of the Battenberg Mausoleum

Alexander of Battenberg was elected prince of the autonomous Principality of Bulgaria in 1879 and became its first head of state after the Berlin settlement. A coup carried out by pro-Russian officers forced him to abdicate in 1886. He went into exile, first to Graz in Austria, and became a general in the Austrian army. In 1885, during his reign, the union of Eastern Rumelia with Bulgaria had taken place with his consent, and the Bulgarian army under his command had won decisive victories in the Serbo-Bulgarian War.

Alexander died in Graz in 1893 and was first buried there. Bulgaria, where he was remembered with affection, wished to have its prince back, and the National Assembly decided that he should be buried in the country, as he had wished himself. His remains were brought to Sofia and given a state funeral attended by his widow, Johanna Loisinger, by the new prince, Ferdinand, and by a large crowd of Bulgarians. After a service in the church of St Nedelya, the body was laid in the Rotunda of St George until a proper tomb could be built.

The mausoleum was commissioned from the Swiss architect Mayer and built between 1895 and 1897. It measures 11 metres in height and about 80 square metres in area, with a single dome that ends in a brass crown. The design is eclectic, with prominent neo-baroque and neoclassical elements and four arched niches arranged symmetrically. A flight of steps leads to the entrance, above which is a cartouche with the prince’s coat of arms.

Inside, the interior was decorated by the Bulgarian painter Haralampi Tachev. A sarcophagus of Carrara marble stands in front of a wall with a bas-relief portrait of Alexander, and the walls carry the names of the battles of the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885, along with the years of his birth, death and reign. The remains lie beneath the floor slab, and the visible sarcophagus is a symbolic one.

In 1937 Alexander’s widow donated some of his private belongings and papers, and part of them were displayed in the mausoleum. After the communist takeover the building was closed to visitors, a period that lasted until 1991, and the belongings were handed to a military history museum and the crown removed from the dome. Since 1991 the mausoleum has been open to the public again. The building was partly restored in 2005 and today is managed by the Regional Historical Museum of Sofia, which shows some of the prince’s personal items inside.

Curious facts about the Battenberg Mausoleum

Prince Alexander died in exile in Graz, and Bulgaria called for “its prince” to be brought back to Sofia.
The names of the main battles of the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885 are written on the walls of the interior.
The remains rest beneath the floor, while the marble sarcophagus visible inside is symbolic.
The mausoleum was closed to visitors for more than four decades, until 1991, and its crown was removed in the communist era.
Alexander’s brothers married into the royal families of Europe: one married a daughter of Queen Victoria, and the other’s daughter Alice became the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His widow, Johanna Loisinger, was herself buried in Graz, at St Leonhard cemetery.

Tours near Battenberg Mausoleum

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

Half Day Tour around Sofia and the mountains with Thermal Spa

★ 5 (47 reviews) · 6 h

See details ›

ATV Off Road Tour Near Sofia Guided Quad Bike Experience

★ 5 (28 reviews) · 1.5 h

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Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup

★ 5 (27 reviews) · 9 h

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Full-day Rila Monastery, Stob Pyramids and St Ivan Rilski Cave from Sofia

★ 5 (24 reviews) · 6 h

See details ›

Visiting the Battenberg Mausoleum: what to expect

The mausoleum stands on Vasil Levski Boulevard in central Sofia, so it fits easily into a walk around the city centre.
Look at the facade with its flight of steps, the coat of arms above the door and the dome with its crown, and at the painted interior with the marble sarcophagus.
Some of Alexander’s personal belongings and papers are displayed inside; check the current opening hours and visiting conditions before you go.
The building is small, so a visit is short; it combines well with other sights in the centre of Sofia.
Nearby places on this guide include the Eagles’ Bridge, the Monument to the Soviet Army, the Monument to the Tsar Liberator and the Seven Saints Church.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Battenberg Mausoleum is

Photos of Battenberg Mausoleum

Questions

What is the Battenberg Mausoleum?

The Battenberg Mausoleum is the tomb of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria (1857–1893), the first head of state of modern Bulgaria. It stands on Vasil Levski Boulevard in Sofia.

Where is the Battenberg Mausoleum in Sofia?

It is at 81 Vasil Levski Boulevard, in the centre of the Bulgarian capital. It is easy to reach on foot from other central sights.

Who designed the Battenberg Mausoleum?

The Swiss architect Mayer designed it, and the Bulgarian painter Haralampi Tachev decorated the interior. It was built between 1895 and 1897.

Why was the Battenberg Mausoleum closed for years?

After the communist takeover the building was closed to visitors, and it reopened only after 1991. The crown on the dome was removed during that period.

Is Prince Alexander really buried in the mausoleum?

Yes. His remains lie beneath the floor slab, while the polished marble sarcophagus visible above is a symbolic one.

What else is worth seeing near the Battenberg Mausoleum?

The Eagles’ Bridge, the Monument to the Tsar Liberator, the Monument to the Soviet Army and the Seven Saints Church are all in the city centre.