Bulgaria commemorates 100 years of the Rila water pipeline

The University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG) hosted a celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the first phase of the Rila water pipeline, specifically the Bistritsa–Sofia section. The event also honored the 135th anniversary of the project’s chief designer, Engineer Ivan Ivanov.

Experts and officials highlighted the pipeline as a landmark of engineering foresight. Dr. Nadya Zhivkova from the State Archives presented findings from technical documents preserved in the State Archives – Sofia, noting that while some records were destroyed during 1944 bombings, significant documentation remains. These archives detail the technical aspects of the project and the legacy of Ivan Ivanov, who served as the Mayor of Sofia from 1934 to 1944.

During his tenure as mayor, Ivanov was noted for supporting the Jewish community by distributing funds to schools, orphanages, and medical facilities. The commemoration brought together representatives from academia, government institutions, and the water sector to discuss the historical significance of the infrastructure in addressing Sofia’s long-standing water scarcity issues.