Grigor Doytchinov
continuous discussions “for” and “against” the total reconstruction.^25 The
ambitions of cleaning down buildings are successfully overcome in the late
1970s, not at least because of the influence of the rapidly changing international
practice and some events of great importance.^26 “The attitude towards the
architectural heritage of Sofia changes as well. Almost 700 buildings on the
territory of the old town are declared in the 1970s architectural monuments.^27
This strongly influences the detailed studies and replaces the demolition
concepts with moderate solutions, taking into account the historically formed
urban structures. Thus the unique areas around (...) are saved for generations
to come. (...) Recognizing the failure of the attempt for a total reconstruction
of the urban core, the municipal authorities order a series of town-planning
inquiries. The result proves the applicability of a ‘historic approach’, achieving
re-evaluation through preserving not only the valuable buildings but also the
historically formed urban structure. (...) Step by step, public intolerance towards
town planning and architectural ‘overshooting’ is established. The efforts of
the municipality are directed to renovation actions at no great ‘representation’
confirming to the spirit of the governmental decisions supporting the
preservation of dwellings that are in good condition.”^28
Fig. 8
The two traditional places
around the Sv. Nedelya
Church and the Banya Bashi
Mosque are unified to an over-
scaled open space. The initial
intention was to demolish the
two emblematic buildings.
(Reproduction, Arhitektura)