National Palace of Culture

The National Palace of Culture in Sofiapopularly known as NDK (Natsionalen dvorets na kulturata), is the largest congress centre not only from Bulgaria but of the entire Balkan peninsula, and in 2005 it was even voted the best congress centre in the world by the International Organisation of Congress Centres. The building was constructed in 1981 to commemorate the 1300 years of the Bulgarian nation’s existence and hosts all kinds of conventions, congresses, fairs, exhibitions, public events and all kinds of other events, such as the Sofia Film Festival. It is a large, rather dubious, but practical, bulkhead at the end of Vitosha Boulevard. The hexagonal building has a total surface area of 120,000 square metres spread over eight floors and three underground floors with different rooms. It has 15 multifunctional halls, 55 rooms and an exhibition area of 15,000 square metres where various exhibitions are organised throughout the year. If we go up to the roof of the Palace we can also enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The palace is located on a large esplanade, a place frequented by sophiots and where they regularly go for walks.