Description of the image

The image presents the bronze carved monument, dedicated to Saint Sofia, viewed from the front and located in the center of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria.

The statue depicts Saint Sophia as a woman standing, with long hair, braided in the back, with a crown on her head, with outstretched hands, holding two laurel leaves, on the left, and on which stands a night bird, called the owl, as a symbol of wisdom, on the right side.

The woman is carved with a long dress, cut on the chest in the shape of an upside down triangle, without a base.

The dress is highlighted by a dotted texture.

The statue is placed on a curved column with a square top.

The braided hair in the tail, the crown with ridges on the forehead, the pedestal at the base of her legs and the owl are highlighted by full textured relief.

Historical data

It’s a symbol of the city because St. Sofia is city’s patron. Sofia means “wisdom” in greek – that’s why she hold a an owl in her left hand, a symbol of wisdom.

In her right hand she holds a laurel wreath – a powerful symbol for greeks and romans meaning peace, success, reputation.The 24 meter high bronze statue was designed by the local sculptor George Chapkanov and replaced the statue of Vladimir Ilich Lenin that was on the same spot (the square was also named Lenin at that time). This is the newest statue in Sofia. She stands on a place where the old culture meets the modern lifestyle.

The Statue of Saint Sofia is standing on a column in the middle of the busy crossroad across the Largo complex in the middle of Sofia, Bulgaria.

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