If you happen to pass the Sofia city center, you will notice the Statue of Saint Sofia standing on a column in the middle of a busy crossroad. Her golden face looks upon the Batemberg square, where TZUM, The presidency, and the Government houses are situated.
The 24-meter-high bronze statue was designed by the local sculptor George Chapkanov and replaced the statue of Vladimir Ilich Lenin that was on the same spot (the square was also named Lenin at that time). This is the newest statue in Sofia and it is a nice thing to see when you go sightseeing in Sofia. She stands in a place where the old culture meets the modern lifestyle.
It’s a symbol of the city because St. Sofia is the city’s patron. Sofia means “wisdom” in Greek – that’s why she holds an owl in her left hand, a symbol of wisdom. In her right hand, she holds a laurel wreath – a powerful symbol for Greeks and Romans meaning peace, success, reputation, etc.