Yantra Hall – The Birth Of A Masonic Light In The Heart Of Bulgaria
By: Kaloyan Ganev
“And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel.” (Ezra 3:10)
– As written in the Holy Scriptures
So did we, guided by Light and fraternal harmony, lay the foundations of Masonic Center “Yantra Hall” – the first Masonic home in Bulgaria to be built from the ground up.
This historic moment unfolded in Veliko Tarnovo, the majestic medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire – a city where the stones still echo the voices of kings, revolutionaries, scholars, and spiritual leaders. Situated among the hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, and embraced by the winding river Yantra, this ancient city has always stood as a symbol of Bulgarian identity, sovereignty, and cultural brilliance.
It was here that the Bulgarian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in 1908, and it is here, in the heart of Bulgaria, that we now place the cornerstone of the future of Bulgarian Freemasonry.
The day began with the First Forum “The Light over Yantra”, which gathered over 70 Brethren from various Lodges and Orients. Inspiring messages, historical insights, and symbolic reflections were shared, setting a powerful spiritual tone for the day.
In the afternoon, the highlight of the event took place – the ritual of laying the cornerstone and a time capsule for the future. The ceremony was performed with solemn dignity and profound symbolic resonance.
Over 140 Brethren, representing more than 40 Lodges, attended this sacred act. It was conducted by none other than the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria, accompanied by his Grand Assistant, the Second Junior Grand Warden, and the Grand Orator – a powerful testament to the importance of the occasion for Bulgarian Freemasonry.
That day alone, nearly 70,000 BGN were donated in support of the future Temple – a “Temple of Humanity,” built not of stone alone, but of love, faith, and perseverance.
But what is Yantra Hall, truly?
It is not merely a building – it is a vision.
Rising on the banks of the river Yantra, the Yantra Hall Masonic Center will host a beautifully designed temple, a Masonic library, a museum and archive, an entrance hall for guests, a spacious dining room, and a fraternal garden where Brethren can gather under the sun or stars, inspired by nature and Light.
It is our intention that this place will serve as the central Masonic home for the North-Central Orient of Bulgaria – a hub for rituals, education, celebrations, and international fraternal exchange. A beacon of Light in the heart of the Balkans.
Let this moment be not only a page in our history – but a call for all Masons, across Bulgaria and beyond, to contribute their stone to the building of this sacred space.
As the Psalm reminds us:
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
artist impression – completed building
IMAGE LINKED: yantra.club Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Article by: Kaloyan Ganev
Kaloyan Ganev
Worshipful Master, Lodge “Atanas Burov” No. 106
United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria
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