Park Borisova Gradina

Until the Liberation, the place, which was located backthen, on the outskirts of the city, was used as a military training ground. After the Turks left, they continued to call it "tabiyata", in Turkish - fortification. The idea of ​​creating a city park came to mind in 1882, by the mayor of the capital, Ivan Hadzhienov. The difficult task was taken up by the Swiss gardener Daniel Neff, who had been that previously at the Romanian royal court. Initially, the garden served as a nursery garden (pipiniere) which was supposed to provide trees, shrubs and flowers for the landscaping of the new capital of Sofia. Gradually, the place began to take on the appearance of a real park. The old swamp was turned into a Fish Lake - today's lily lake. Later Ariana lake, rock gardens, tennis courts, new pedestrian alleys appeared. The Frenchman Joseph Frey also has credit for the improvement of Borisova Garden; the Rosarium was created on his initiative.