National Bank – Vault / Today Consulate of the Republic of Bulgaria

The building of the former National Bank finds its place among a series of structures with similar social or public functions and a representative character. All these buildings are lined up along the front of the Dragor River and the blvd. 1 Maj. Here we encounter buildings from various periods, starting with the Bezisten, followed by the Basic and Appellate Courts, the Municipal building, the University Rectorate, a secondary school, and other museums, hotels, etc. The parterre, raised two steps above the sidewalk, is enclosed along the perimeter of the parcel with a masonry plinth about one meter high, above which rises an iron permeable fence between masonry pillars set at regular intervals. The fence is interrupted in front of the entrance to the building, marking its public function. The yard is internally divided by a fence between the entrance area-public-and the remaining green area-private. At the corner between the boulevard and Mirche Acev Street, there is a semicircular element-a guardhouse. The entrance from the side street is also accentuated with an iron arched gate in a masonry portal finished in the manner of a gable roof and secondary ornamentation. The building has a basement, ground floor, first floor, and attic (B+GF+1+A). Regarding the division of the façade, it is strictly symmetrical, with a protruding central part and an emphasized entrance and central external staircase. The prominence of the central part is highlighted by the presence of a protruding entrance porch with a series of arches; the windows on the upper floor also have semicircular tops, and there are circular windows in the entrance area on the ground floor.