Towering above the intersection of Maria Louisa Blvd and Todor Alexandrov Blvd. in the commercial heart of the city, Sophia was erected at the very end of 2000 - not without some controversy - replacing Lenin’s monument, which was removed from the same spot at the time of the democratic changes. Sophia was considered too erotic and pagan to be referred to as St. Sophia. Eight metres in height, the copper and bronze statue by the sculptor Georgi Chapkanov is partially covered in gold, and stands on a 16 metre high pedestal. Adorned with the symbols of power (crown), fame (wreath) and wisdom (owl), the crown is also a reference to the Goddess of Fate – Tjuhe, inspired by the old emblem of Sofia dating back to 1900.
