Knyazheska Garden could be described as a garden for the ages. This location in the centre of Sofia has undergone numerous transformations, passing from one generation to the next.

Let us give you a brief overview of the history. Originally, in the 1870s, the Prince’s Garden was simply a meadow flooded by the city river. In winter, when the water froze over, ice-skating and musical entertainment were organised. After 1882, on the Prince’s initiative, the first vegetable and fruit garden was established and several flower pavilions were built. About ten years later, the first botanical garden had already taken shape on this site. A zoo was also added to it, which was a major attraction for local residents. In 1936, a ‘royal children’s garden’ was built, featuring a maze, a swimming pool, a children’s theatre, an aeroplane, a tank and a locomotive for the children to explore.

After the Zoo was moved to its current location, we come to 1954, when the communist regime erected a monument to the Soviet Army in the garden for propaganda purposes. This is where the widely accepted name for this place comes from; it is known to everyone as Soviet Army Park.

Today, as recent history is set to erase the past and move the monument to a more secluded spot, one might say that this is a hotbed of historical and political debate. And that younger generations continue to add new colours to history – both literally and figuratively. One example is the 2011 campaign ‘In Step with the Times’, when the monument was found repainted by a group of activists in the colours of various Western superheroes. The organisation is called Destructive Creation, and their name stems from the idea that “strong creative expressions break down old destructive attitudes and understandings”.

The park is now also known as ‘the young people’s spot’. At any time of the day or evening, you’ll notice that the noise from the ramps and the young people’s skateboards never stops. Here, Sofia’s youngest skateboarding talents listen to music on their speakers and have fun, whilst eagerly searching for their own way to leave their mark on the spirit of the city and its history.