Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square, Sofia

Alexander of Battenberg was the first Prince of the Principality of Bulgaria. He became the Prince in 1879. The Bulgarian Grand National Assembly voted him in. At that time Bulgaria was an autonomous Principality of the fast fading Ottoman Empire. He was not sufficiently subservient to Russian interests. He was forced to abdicate in 1886.

During the Communist era in Bulgaria (1944-1989), the square was called September 9th Square for the coup d'etat of 1944. Before the Communist coup the square had been known as Tsar's Square. The Tsar's royal palace was situated there. The palace is today the National Art Gallery. The square also became the home of the Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum.

Georgi was the first Communist leader of Bulgaria. He died in 1949. He got top billing at the Mausoleum. Vasil Kolarov was number two. He died in 1950. He got a niche in the east wall. There were plots and attempts to blow up the Mausoleum from the very start. Finally the post-Communist UDF government exploded the building after four attempts.

The square is the most favorable venue in Sofia for outdoor events and concerts. Military parades were held often in the Communist era. The only popular such parade today is the Bulgarian Armed Forces Day Parade, held on May 6th each year.