Sveti Ivan Rilski Sofia Theological Seminary (Sofia)

 department of theology, draw only border, Bulgarian Orthodox Church

The Sofia Theological Seminary was founded as the Samokov Theological School in 1876 in Ljaskovec (Lyaskovets). It moved to the capital, where in 1902 the Hungarian (Transylvanian German) architect Friedrich Grünanger began the construction of the present building and church, completed in 1903 and 1904, respectively. During the Balkan Wars and the First World War, the complex doubled as a wartime hospital, while the Agrarian dictatorship in 1920-1923 temporarily established an agricultural faculty at the site. During the Allied bombardment of Sofia in the Second World War, the seminary was moved to Cherepish, and in 1944 the complex served as the Soviet Army headquarters in Sofia. In 1946 it was turned over to the Union of Soviet-Bulgarian friendship, and in 1951 it was designated as the Palace of Pioneers; the church of Saint Ivan of Rila continued to function throughout this time. In 1990 the whole complex was restored to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and resumed its function as a theological seminary.

www.visitsofia.bg/en/cityinfrastructure/what-to-see/arc...