Tomb of Prince Alexander I of Battenberg

The Tomb of Prince Alexander I of Battenberg is a mausoleum dedicated to the first Prince of Bulgaria following the country's liberation. Alexander I Battenberg ruled from 1879 until his abdication in 1886. After his death in Graz, Austria-Hungary, in 1893, the National Assembly decided to honor his wish to be buried in Bulgaria.The tomb's construction began in 1895 and was completed in 1897, designed by Swiss architect Hermann Mayer. Before its completion, the Prince's remains were kept in the St. George Rotunda. The mausoleum features a single dome and is designed in a Neoclassical style with late Baroque elements. The interior decoration was created by artist Haralampi Tachev. Prince Alexander I's body is buried beneath the floor, marked by a symbolic sarcophagus of polished marble.The tomb was open to the public until 1946 when it was closed by the communist government. Its artifacts were transferred to the National Museum of Military History, and the crown was removed. In 1991, the tomb was reopened and declared a national historical and artistic treasure. Today, it is managed by the Sofia History Museum and is open for visits from Tuesday to Saturday.