Eagles' Bridge, Stone arch bridge in central Sofia, Bulgaria
Eagles' Bridge is a stone arch structure in central Sofia that crosses the Perlovska River with four granite columns supporting bronze eagle sculptures at its corners. The span connects Evlogi Georgiev and Tsarigradsko Shose boulevards, serving as a major passage through the city center.
The bridge was built in 1891 by Czech architect Václav Prošek and his relatives during Sofia's development after Ottoman rule ended. It became part of the city's infrastructure renewal as Sofia transformed into a modern capital.
The bridge takes its name from the four bronze eagles on its columns, regarded as its symbolic protectors. Since 1989 the crossing has repeatedly hosted demonstrations, including the 1990 opposition rally, the 2012 "Occupy Eagles' Bridge" environmental protests and the 2013 anti-monopoly protests.
The bridge is easy to reach on foot and sits at a major intersection with nearby metro stations for quick access. It is generally busy during rush hours, so plan your visit accordingly if you want quieter moments to look around.
The structure appears on Bulgaria's 20 leva banknote, making it one of the country's most recognizable symbols and a point of national pride. This distinction shows how deeply the bridge is embedded in Bulgarian identity.
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