Arch. Naum Torbov was among the first generation of architects after the Liberation of Bulgaria who received his education abroad. After his return to Bulgaria, he established a private architectural office. Although he is the designer of over 100 public and private buildings throughout the country, he remains in Sofia’s history as a “modest architect”, immune to vanity and far from the spotlight. In the Capital, his name is associated with numerous buildings, such as the construction of the City Casino (now the Art Gallery if the city of Sofia) and the ruined Odeon Cunema,as well as the Central Markets. In addition to the Sofia Markets, architect Torbov designed and built the Markets in Stara Zagora and Pleven, but they were later destroyed.

Several massive hotels in the best part of the center of the Bulgaria’s Capital bear the imprint of his talent. Four of the six have survived to this day as architectural buildings. Old Sofia also preserves the memory of the former hotels “Paris”, “Continental”, “London”, all elegant examples of the Art Nouveau style.

Arch. Torbov studied architecture in Bucharest. His family came from Bitola, Bulgaria and settled first in Oryahovo and then in Ruse. After completing his education, architect Torbov lived in Sofia and often traveled to Vienna. There he studied Viennese architecture and was particularly fascinated by the style of Otto Wagner (Realism and Art Nouvau).

In the Austrian capital, Archtect Torbov met the live of his life, Leopoldina. She was a follower of his until the end of his days. In 1952 he died of cancer in Sofia.

Arch. Naum Torbov also designed several industrial buildings, including two breweries in Sofia, which were recently demolished due to new modern, nondescript construction.

Architect Torboy is the designer ofmany other projects, such as the church “St. Sq. Cyril and Methodius ” and of many homes of wealthy citizens of Sofia. One of them is the home of Louisa and Dimitar Stanishevi, built in 1909, which now houses the Chief Mufti

Late the fate of this so talented architect, who worked in Sofia, was tragic. The bombing of the city, and later the newly established system, destroyed his studio, as well as his numerous archives and sketches.