The oldest and largest university in Bulgaria, founded in 1888. The main building on Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard is a Neo-Baroque palace of yellow stone, finished in 1934 with funds from the philanthropist brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgiev — whose statues sit either side of the main entrance.
The aula (great hall) is open to visitors during the day and is decorated with portraits of Bulgarian rationalists. The bookshops along the boulevard either side of the university are some of the best in the city.