The building, which now houses the National Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum, is the former royal palace. It was built in two stages. The official opening was in 1882, as its architect is Victor Rumpelmeier, and in 1887 was built the northeastern flank. It was mainly residential area and was designed by Friedrich Gruenanger for the Bulgarian Prince Ferdinand.
In the original building were housed Ottoman administration, prison and court in which was sent to trial Vasil Levski. After the Liberation, this building became deserted and the National Assembly decided to be rebuilt as a palace.The repair was performed quickly and carelessly by Russian officers and soon after moved in Battenberg was forced to move out from there in order for the building to be demolished and in its place be built new palace worthy of the the newly established principality.
Since Ottoman times remained four underground tunnels. One of them used to supply food for the royal family and is so large that a car could bi driven in it. Another one leads to the current hotel Bulgaria.
With the coming of the communist regime the building was neglected again. The fence is destroyed, allowing vagrants to stay in the royal park, all paneling are destroyed and the walls painted with oil paint. For a short the building was used as a cabinet of Prime Minister Georgi Dimitrov, and during the construction of his mausoleum was abolished the park alley in front of the main entrance.
In 1953 the decision was taken the building to be provided to the National Gallery of Art and Ethnographic Museum.
