Kambanite (The Bells) Park complex

Overview

Kambanite (The Bells) complex is located 14 km east of the Sofia city center at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, close to the Sofia Business Park, Mladost residential complex and the village of Pancherevo.

This place is really very special because there are so many bells from different countries.

It was opened in 1979  to host the UNESCO International Children's Assembly "Banner of Peace". The construction of the complex has been completed in 30 days. The first assembly was attended by children from 79 countries and 68 different bells were set.  In the middle of the complex, stands a huge, 37 meters high, concrete monument, consisting of 4 vertical pylons, indicating the 4 cardinal directions and a spiral composition of two hemispheres, where some of the bells are located. A number of much smaller concrete structures are arranged in a circle around this main monument. Bells from different countries are hung on them (68 were placed in 1979, and today the bells are about 100). 

The proclaimed aim of the Assembly was to “unite the creative ambitions of children around the ideal of peace, creativity, and excellence” under the motto “Unity, Creativity, Beauty”. Children from various countries were gathered to play and create together and to get to know each other's culture.

The last Assembly was in 1989 and was attended by children from 135 countries.

In 2004, the monument was listed as cultural heritage with the argument that this was the only monument in the world built to symbolize the ideas of the UN and UNICEF for the protection of peace and children’s rights.