Borisova Gradina, also known as Boris's Garden or Knyaz-Borisova Gradina, is the oldest, largest, and most renowned public park in Sofia, Bulgaria. Spanning approximately 3.02 square kilometers (about 745 acres), it serves as the "lungs of Sofia," providing a vast green oasis in the heart of the city that offers respite from urban life. Often compared to New York City's Central Park in scale relative to the city (though Sofia is smaller), it features a mix of manicured gardens, dense woodlands, tree-lined avenues, lakes, and recreational facilities. Established in the late 19th century, the park is named after Bulgarian Tsar Boris III and symbolizes the city's commitment to green spaces, blending natural beauty with historical and cultural elements. It attracts locals and tourists for leisurely walks, sports, picnics, and events, remaining open year-round and free to the public. Its central location makes it easily accessible, bordered by major boulevards like Tsarigradsko Shose and Dragan Tsankov, and it hosts a variety of flora, fauna, and landmarks that reflect Sofia's history.
The park's origins trace back to 1882 when Sofia's mayor, Ivan
Hadzhienov, invited Swiss gardener Daniel Neff from Bucharest to develop
a public garden on a former nursery site. Construction officially began
in 1884, initially as a nursery (Razsadnika) for producing trees and
plants to green the city. Neff expanded it into a proper park, planting
acacias, creating flowerbeds, and building an artificial lake by 1889.
Knyaz Ferdinand later influenced its redesign, replacing some trees with
native species like oaks and conifers from the Rila Mountains.
The
development is divided into three key periods, each led by a prominent
gardener who built upon the previous work without major overhauls:
Neff Period (1882–1906): Focused on foundational landscaping,
including fencing with oaks and hawthorns, expanding the nursery to
300,000 square meters, and introducing diverse tree species. By the
early 1900s, it had grown southwestward, establishing it as a vital
green space.
Frei Period (1906–1934): Alsatian gardener Joseph Frei
reorganized the layout, planting main alleys (e.g., linden and
chestnut), creating the Rosarium by dismantling old structures, and
extending the park southward to Dragan Tsankov Boulevard. He emphasized
floral displays and built the People's Fountain (later the Freestone
Fountain), transforming it into a more ornamental park.
Duhtev Period
(1934–1944): Bulgarian gardener Georgi Duhtev expanded the Rosarium to
7,000 square meters with over 1,400 rose varieties and added the
Japanese Corner in 1940, using plants gifted by Japan as a symbol of
friendship. By 1942, the park covered 90,500 square meters of planned
and built areas, incorporating sports and educational facilities.
In the 1930s, it was renamed Borisova Gradina in honor of Tsar Boris
III. During the communist era (1944–1989), it was called Park na
Svobodata (Freedom Park) and saw additions like the Borisova Gradina TV
Tower (1958–1959) and the Mound of Brotherhood monument (1956). The name
reverted in 1989 after the fall of communism. The last major
reconstruction occurred in 1986 under Georgi Radoslavov, when it was
declared a monument of Bulgarian park and garden art. Recent years have
seen ongoing maintenance, with events like jazz festivals, concerts, and
cultural gatherings highlighting its role as a community hub. As of
2025, no major structural changes have been reported, though it
continues to host modern events like open-air acoustic concerts and
poetry readings.
Borisova Gradina's layout evolved organically, with a network of
winding paths, broad alleys, and thematic sections that blend natural
and designed elements. It stretches from the city center eastward,
divided into upper and lower parts. The lower section features open
lawns and flowerbeds, while the upper part includes denser woods and
recreational zones. Key features include:
Lakes and Water
Elements: Ariana Lake (the large artificial lake from 1889), the smaller
Fish Lake, and the Lily Pond (waterlily lake), which provide scenic
spots for boating and reflection.
Gardens and Flora: The Rosarium
boasts thousands of rose bushes, while the Japanese Corner features
cherry blossoms and other Asian plants. Over 2,000 tree species,
including rare conifers and deciduous varieties, create shaded avenues
like the linden and chestnut alleys.
Paths and Infrastructure:
Tree-lined walking paths, benches, and decorative wooden houses (e.g.,
by carver Racho Angelov) encourage strolls. The park is
pedestrian-friendly, with no vehicle access except for maintenance.
The eastern end is more rugged with woodlands, contrasting the
western manicured areas. Its size—over 100 acres in some
descriptions—allows for diverse micro-environments, from formal gardens
to wilder sections.
The park is packed with attractions catering to all ages:
Sports
Facilities: Two major stadiums (Vasil Levski National Stadium and
others), football fields (Yunak and Levski), tennis courts (including a
diplomatic one), a cycling track, and the Summer Swimming Bath for
outdoor activities.
Monuments and Landmarks: The Mound of Brotherhood
(a 42-meter communist obelisk from 1956), the Soviet Monument, a statue
collection, and the Freestone Fountain.
Educational and Cultural
Sites: The University Observatory for stargazing, the Open-air School,
and the Borisova Gradina TV Tower (a 106-meter structure from 1959).
Family Amenities: Children's playgrounds, restaurants, and open lawns
for picnics or reading.
These make it ideal for walks, talks,
drinks, or sports, with many restaurants and cafes scattered throughout.
As Sofia's premier green space, Borisova Gradina embodies the city's 2,000-year history while serving modern needs. It represents Bulgaria's gardening heritage and international ties (e.g., Japanese Corner). Culturally, it's a venue for festivals, concerts, and poetry events, fostering community. Its status as a protected monument underscores its role in preserving biodiversity and urban ecology, making it a symbol of relaxation and national pride.
Name changes: From Razsadnika (Nursery) to Pepiniere, then Borisova
Gradina, and temporarily Freedom Park.
It houses over 1,400 rose
species in the Rosarium and rare Japanese plants.
The park survived
political shifts, with communist-era additions now historical artifacts.
Recent events include the One Day Jazz Festival (June 2024) and Odd
Crew's anniversary concert (August 2024), with ongoing use for urban
escapes like the Urbanwoods open-air events.
It's a biodiversity
hotspot with birds, squirrels, and seasonal blooms, best visited in
spring or summer for full vibrancy.