Old High School of Music, Ruse

Welcome to Ruse, Bulgaria! As a tourist guide, I am excited to introduce you to the Old High School of Music, a historic building located at 33 Borisova Street. This building is currently undergoing restoration and will soon become a private numismatic museum and cultural center. The Old High School of Music was constructed in 1900-1901 by Ruse's Protestant community to be used as a German Protestant school, boarding house, kindergarten, and orphanage. The local pastor Theodor Wandemann secured funds for the construction of this four-story edifice. The building was designed by architect Udo Ribau and supervised by engineers Todor Tonev and Merbach. The architectural style is eclectic, combining Neoclassical and Gothic Revival elements with Northern European influences. The German school was inaugurated on October 5th, 1905, and declared a Secondary School of Business by the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy in 1909. It was attended not only by the city's German colony but also by the children of eminent local merchant families. During World War I, on September 28th, 1918, the school was confiscated by the Bulgarian authorities as German property. Although it was damaged by Romanian shellfire, it was reconstructed after the war and consecutively accommodated the French St Joseph School for Boys, the Petar Beron Junior High School, the State University of Technology, and the school of the local farming machinery factory. After that, it began to be used by Ruse's High School of Music. Today, visitors can witness the ongoing restoration of this beautiful building. Major work has already been completed as of 2019, and the building is set to become a private numismatic museum and cultural center. Once open, visitors will be able to explore the rich history of Ruse and Bulgaria through the lens of numismatics, the study of coins and currency. As you explore the Old High School of Music, take note of the eclectic architectural style and the various influences that have shaped this building over the years. From its origins as a German Protestant school to its current transformation into a cultural center, this building has played an important role in the history of Ruse. In conclusion, the Old High School of Music is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Ruse, Bulgaria. Its rich history and ongoing restoration make it a unique and fascinating attraction. Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness this beautiful building's transformation into a private numismatic museum and cultural center.

Location: Ruse

Inception: 1905

Source: Wikimedia