Rearrangement and replacement of damaged yellow paving blocks in the center of Sofia has started. For this reason, the square in front of the National Assembly has been closed for cars since Saturday. The tiles on the sidewalks will be replaced and the green areas will be renovated, the Sofia Municipality informs.

The repair works are expected to last until September 10. Until then, various sections of the paved center will be closed in stages.

In 1907–1908, on the initiative of Sofia mayor Martin Todorov, 59,302.46 square meters of yellow paving stones were imported from Austria-Hungary for the young Bulgarian capital city. They were made of crushed limestone that was later calcined. The blocks were used to pave major roads such as Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., Lege St., Moskovska St., the now defunct Targovska St., etc.,Sofia History Museum recalls. The yellow pavement is one of the symbols of the capital. The streets and squares covered with the yellow blocks are protected by the Cultural Heritage Act.