I love this place and take everyone who visits Sofia there. It is simple, yet filled with rich and unsettling history found in this unique museum. I recommend this place more than any other museum in Sofia, especially if you're looking for a unique experience.
The exhibition includes some very impressive statues which are kept outside in the grounds. Among these is The Supporter, which stands as an important piece of art communist or otherwise. Inside there are all manner of paintings and sculpture which obviously show an idealised view of communism but are interesting all the same for that reason. Given the subject, every piece carries a story, and then a story behind the story and this makes it definitely worth a visit for those that enjoy art.
I discovered this place using Trip Advisor suggestions and it was a really nice surprise. A bit outside the city centre, but you can go there using the underground and then walk for 10 minutes.They don't speak english, but the price (6 bulgarian lev) it is written in english too and they give you a sheet with some explanation when you get inside.Outside you can find statues of the communist period (including a giant statue of Lenin) and inside a series of paintings. There is also a cinema section (with english subtitles).
Though out of the way, not easy to find and unknown to cab drivers, this is a stunning, beautiful, really well organized and comprehensive museum of stuff that was scattered about Eastern Europe in the mid-20th century. This place is almost worth the price of visiting Sofia. I give it ten red stars.
A must!!! The garden is surreal. It's a pity that there is no guide in the floor where the comic strips are.It's also a pity that this place is not advertised properly. Catch the metro to the GM Dimitrov station, in the Iztok suburb, walk north up bul Tsankov and then turn right onto ul Lachezar Stanchev. The museum is housed in a gated Ministry of Culture building next to the Sopharma Business Towers. There is no sign anywhere, but you can see the big red star in the garden.
HOW TO GET THERE: is not difficult but is a little tricky. So walk to the NEW Sopharma TowerS. (there is and old Sopharma tower in the opposite direction), you will find the museum next to them. Dont you even bother to get there if there isn't good weather. It has great statues in an amazing garden but that is everything. The "museum" is just one room with comics without translation in any language. The videos in the multimedia room are very interesting, but curated in a poor way. But they are about life during communism, nothing about socialist art. The museum has potential, not yet developed.
The museum its nice they have many sculptures, at the enter its the star that represented the socialism there is also the sculpture of Stalin that was where now its the statue of Sofia, there is also a cartoon exhibition than in my case I found it good because I was with a friend from Sofia so she was explaining me what the cartoons said and who were the characters. There is not that much in the city so if you are going to be a couple days in the city I recommend you to visit the museum and more because the historic context.
This museum is ok, nothing super special. Seems more like a storehouse for totalitarian symbols. IT's a little far out, you need catch a metro out of the center and then walk about 5 minutes, but if you're looking for genuine totalitarian paraphernalia this is your place!
An important insight into one of Bulgaria's pivotal historical periods, this Museum is slightly away from the city centre. Only a 5 minute walk from G.M.Dimitrov metro station and hidden behind the Ministry of Culture building.For your 6 lv. entrance fee you will have access to the impressive sculpture garden and internal rotating exhibition (predominantly paintings). There is also a gift shop and cafe although these are not open on Sundays or indeed everyday in certain seasons.
Though a bit out of the way, the Museum of Socialist Art is most emphatically worth a visit. It gives you insights into what life must have been under totalitarian regimes. It is nearly impossible to believe that this world actually existed in the not too distant past. Unfortunately an even worse regime exists in North Korea. The museum speaks for itself. You must also view the video that is part of the visit.