Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - the Bulgarian Patriarchal Cathedral Orthodox Church... It is located on the square of the same name.

The majestic cathedral was erected at the beginning of the 20th century by the project of the architect Pomerantsev in honor of the Russian soldiers who died during the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish rule during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877–78.

The cathedral is made of granite and white stone and is decorated with cornices, friezes and columns. 12 bells from the bell tower were cast in Moscow.

Italian marble, Brazilian onyx and African alabaster were used in the interior of the church. The frescoes and carvings were made by 32 Russian and 13 Bulgarian artists. The central altar is dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky, southern - St. Boris, who brought Christianity to Bulgaria, the northern one - St. Cyril and Methodius.

In 1964, the Museum of Icons was opened in the underground crypt of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which displays more than 300 icons and frescoes from all over the country from the 9-19th century.

Church of Saint Sophia

The Church of St. Sophia is a functioning Orthodox church located in the very heart of the Bulgarian capital Sofia. The temple is one of the valuable examples of early Christian architecture in Southeast Europe. An interesting fact is that it was this church that gave the name to the entire Bulgarian city, which later became the capital of the country.

The first temple on this site was built back in the 313s. Several years later, the wooden church was replaced by the stone Cathedral of St. Sophia, built with the support of Emperor Constantine I. In the new temple, the Serdician Cathedral was held.

During the Turkish yoke, the church was turned into a mosque for some time, and in the 19th century, the temple was used by the Ottomans as the center of the city's fire service.

Now the temple is active and archaeological investigations are carried out in it from time to time, since it was built on the site of a necropolis and other ancient stone tombs.

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National Historical Museum

Museum of Bulgarian History, Culture, Ethnography. It was founded in 1973 and is now located in the Bojana government residence. The richest collection, created on the basis of many years of research in the field of archeology, ethnography, as well as collections of art objects, books, photographs, household items, church utensils, jewelry. The permanent exhibition of the museum is an illustration of the history of the Bulgarian state from the Neolithic era to the present day.

The National History Museum has a huge collection of 650,000 items and is one of the largest history museums in Europe. The main exhibition is divided into 6 periods: Stone Age, Thrace, Greek period, Roman period, Bulgarian kingdoms, Bulgarian Renaissance, 20th century.

One of the richest treasures in the Balkan Peninsula is the National History Museum, opened in 1973 by government decision. Its first exposition was presented in 1984 in honor of the 1300th anniversary of the Bulgarian state. Currently, it houses about 700 thousand various cultural monuments that represent the history of the Bulgarian lands. Unfortunately, only about 10% of all valuables are presented in the exhibition halls.

The main exposition of the museum is located in five halls, which are dedicated to ancient Thrace, primitive society, the Middle Ages, the Bulgarian lands in the 15th – 19th centuries and the Third Bulgarian State, from 1878 to the present day. The collection about primitive society includes various weapons made of flint and bone, as well as figurines of idols, ceramics and jewelry.

Particularly popular is the hall with a collection dedicated to ancient Thrace, where priceless treasures known throughout the world are kept - Rogozen, Panagyur and Letnitskoe, as well as a treasure discovered near the village of Duvanliya. Here you can see numerous funerary decorations and gifts that were found during the exploration of a huge number of burial mounds throughout Bulgaria.

Parliament building

Absolutely any country has a specific political system. Exceptions in such cases are simply impossible to find. Regardless of what kind of political regime has been introduced in the country, in each country there will be the very building in which the deputies will sit. If you go to the beautiful capital of sunny Bulgaria - Sofia, then, walking along the streets of the city, sooner or later, we will be able to see such a building - the building of the Parliament of Sofia.

As for the description of the building, many say that it can safely reckon with any landmark of small Sofia. Moreover, if you happen to stay in the capital for some time, you will not have any difficulties with the choice of hotels, from the windows of which you can contemplate this architectural building. It can seem especially beautiful at night, when the extraordinary illumination of the building is turned on.

If you are passionate about history, then you will be pleased to learn the extraordinary history of the Parliament Building in Sofia.

Banya Bashi Mosque

The Banya Bashi Mosque is located in Sofia. It was created by the famous engineer and architect Mimara Sinan. At the time of its construction, the Turks were in charge of the city, and it was they who controlled the city. The construction of the mosque was completed in 1576.

It is interesting that it got its name from the phrase "banya bashi", which literally means "many baths."

This cultural monument is unique in that it was built over thermal springs, the creator of which was nature itself. A small steam can be seen right in the mosque. It rises from holes specially created in the ground and passes near the walls of the mosque.

The building is also famous for its dome, which has a fifteen-meter diameter, as well as a minaret that looks straight into the sky.

Now Banya Bashi Dzhamiya is the only working mosque in all of Sofia. It is the mosque that is considered a monument left by the Ottoman Empire.

Banya Bashi Mosque

The Banya Bashi Mosque is a magnificent structure built on the initiative of the benefactor Efendi Kady Seyfullah in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is one of the oldest mosques in Europe and was completed in 1567. The name of the building is associated with the expression "Bath Bashi", which literally translates as "many baths". The peculiarity of the mosque is that it is built over a natural thermal resort. You will be able to see how the steam passes through the vents installed at the base of the walls of the structure. The Banya Bashi Mosque is also famous for its large dome and minaret. Currently, it is the only one functioning in the city.

The Banya Bashi Mosque is a unique architectural creation that reflects the specifics of 16th century Ottoman architecture. The building was built of brick and stone by the great architect Sinan. There are small towers at the corners of the mosque. The walls and arches of the prayer hall are made of cut stone, and the columns are made of solid stone and have a beautiful matte colour... The arch above the entrance door is also made of stone, and the central dome is covered with thin pewter plates. Every year this building attracts many tourists and pilgrims from all over the world.

Are you curious to know how well you know the sights of Sofia? ...

National Opera and Ballet Theater

The National Opera and Ballet Theater in Sofia is an old and very famous theater in Europe, which has gone through a lot in its lifetime. This magnificent building at number 30 is easy to find in the Bulgarian capital - it is located on Prince Dondukov Boulevard.

The Bulgarian opera began its history in 1908, but it was decided to build a building for the opera only in 1921. At this time, the project was ready, but the construction of the building began only in 1947. The end of construction took place in 1953.

The theater is large and spacious inside. It seems even bigger than the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. There are several halls and stages in the building of the Sofia Theater, and the largest stage is located at a depth of about 13 meters. This hall can accommodate 948 people.

Now the theater is very popular among tourists and locals. Quite long queues line up at the box office for tickets.

The most popular sights in Sofia with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose best places to visit the famous places of Sofia on our website.

Individual and group

This city deserves the title of the cultural, economic and historical capital of Bulgaria, which, incidentally, it is officially. Sofia occupies a central position in the Balkans and is an important point on the trade routes of the Middle East and Europe. The city has a developed industrial infrastructure and a rich historical heritage.

Over the course of a century of history, the capital of Bulgaria has either flourished or been destroyed, then rebuilt and collapsed again. In honor of these events, the city's coat of arms bears the inscription “Growing, but not aging”. Sofia is considered the second oldest capital of Europe, located in Kazakhstan.

Money and prices in Sofia

The national currency of Bulgaria is the Bulgarian lev “BGN”. In shops and restaurants, it is preferable to accept the national currency, plastic cards are not accepted everywhere, so discuss this issue in advance. The preferred currency for exchange is the euro and the dollar. It is better to make an exchange in the official branches of banks so as not to fall into the clutches of scammers.

On average, for a 7-day vacation in Sofia in a 3-star hotel, count on the amount of 700 euros. Additionally, at 40 euros per day per person for excursions, entertainment and souvenirs. Most of the shops are located on Vitosha Street, and low prices will pleasantly surprise shopping lovers.

Delicious Sofia: what to try from food

Having visited Bulgaria, undoubtedly, you need to try the national cuisine, which can be found in the "mehana" establishments. These restaurants are decorated in the national style, where you can fully enjoy the national flavor.

A popular first hot dish is considered to be "bob chorba", which is made from vegetables and a special kind of beans. Chorba is served with bread and a set of unusual spices "Sharena Sol" and a mixture of "Chushka" peppers. Along with "bob chorba" in popularity is cold soup from sour milk, cucumbers and walnut"Tarator".

Of the second meat dishes it is worth noting "moussaka", "pyuvech" and veal baked on a spit. The dishes baked in poultry and fish pots have an amazing taste due to the added spices, and the "caskaval pane" breaded cheese will impress cheese lovers. As for drinks, be sure to try "ayran", this fermented milk drink perfectly quenches your thirst.

Sights of Sofia

All the main ones can be seen by car, and Sofia - on foot, as they are located in the very center of the city. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a monument and at the same time the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans dedicated to the fallen Russian soldiers, a cathedral beloved by Hollywood cinematographers.

The Banya Pasha Mosque is the only functioning mosque in the city. The peculiarity of the name of this mosque is that the building is located above the heat source, forming a bath.

Hagia Sophia is a symbol of the city associated with its ancient history... Previously, the cathedral was both a metropolitan church and a mosque and even a fire-fighting room in the city, however, today it is the pride of the townspeople.

The Palace of Culture is a multifunctional complex of architecture and art, within the walls of which annual music festivals and exhibitions are held different types arts.

Attractions in the vicinity of Sofia

Mount Vitosha is a suburb of the capital and one of its main symbols. Climbing the mountain by cable car, which works both in winter and in summer, you can enjoy the panorama of Sofia and make an excellent survey. The Vitosha Mountain resort offers its visitors ski slopes and rock climbing.

Rila Monastery - an Orthodox male monastery is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

How to Get to Sofia

Direct regular flights of Aeroflot and Bulgaria Air airlines fly from Moscow to Sofia, the flight time is almost 3 hours. There are direct and charter flights to Sofia from many major cities in Europe.

You can also get to the capital of Bulgaria by train departing from Moscow on a direct flight, spending two days on it, but enjoying the views outside the window. Buses run from border countries, the timetable for which can be found at the central bus station of the capital.

Sofia transport

There are all types of transport in Sofia: buses, trams, trolleybuses, taxis and metro, connecting the city center with its outskirts. The only subway in Bulgaria is located in Sofia, there are only nine stations. The interval of train movement is 15 minutes, the time of the metro is from 05:30 to 00:00.

The tram line, as well as the metro, is the only one in the whole country, is located in Sofia, the operating hours of which coincide with the metro.

Almost one hundred bus routes connect all parts of the city. The daily interval of movement is 20 minutes, night - 30, the opening hours ends one hour earlier than the work of the metro and tram lines. Taxis of yellow classic color, equipped with a meter, as a rule, have a price list on the side window. We advise you to negotiate the price in advance.

For the convenience of using municipal transport, we recommend that you buy a universal card and move freely on any urban form of transport. You can buy the card at any newsstand or from the driver of the vehicle.

TOURISTS ANSWERS:

Sofia is, of course, a beautiful city. The capital of Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in Europe is full of historical sights. And here are some:

Bath-bashi-mosque

It is believed that this mosque was built in the middle of the 16th century. At the same time, it is the only functioning Muslim temple in Sofia. The rectangular red brick building with a large dome and high minaret is an excellent example of Ottoman architecture from that period. The walls of the prayer hall, arches and columns are made of stone, the main dome is covered with tin plates. The mosque acquired many changes in the 1920s, and the reconstruction was sponsored by the Turkish ambassador in Sofia. The mosque can accommodate about 1200 people at a time. The mosque is located in the city center, the nearest metro station is Serdika.

Buyuk Mosque (Archaeological Museum)

The nine-domed temple, erected at the end of the 15th century on the ruins of an old Christian monastery, was a haven for a wide variety of objects. There was a hospital, a library, and a printing house. The beautiful ivy-covered building is today the oldest Archaeological Museum in the country. It was founded in 1879. The museum's collections are impressive - more than 55,000 exhibits are no joke to you. And here you can also look at the largest collection of coins (in Bulgaria onli, not all over the world). On the ground floor of the museum there is a collection of items from the Roman, Thracian, Greek and Byzantine periods. For example, here you can see early Christian mosaics from the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia, pieces of Roman and Greek sarcophagi, tombstones from the 3rd-4th centuries. Yes, there is something here "Vulchitrun treasure" - 13 golden Thracian vessels of 12.5 kilograms each. Most likely, they were used for rituals. Very interesting things, they were even placed in a separate room. On the ground floor there is a bronze statue of Apollo covered with gilding. True, without part of the legs and arms. But still impressive. Another interesting statue is a copy of the statue of the Madara horseman (the original statue was carved into the rock near the village of Madara, it was not possible to bring it :) On the second floor there are gizmos of the Neolithic era: clay dishes, weapons, dishes and more. There is also a hall with icons and parts of old frescoes.

Address: st. Sborna 2

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Alexandronevskaya Lavra)

The temple was built in 1882-1912 according to the projects of Russian architects in honor of the hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers who died in the war of 1878, helping Bulgaria to throw off the shackles of Turkish rule. The cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans and the largest cathedral in Bulgaria, with an area of ​​2,600 sq. m., height - 52 m. The bell tower of the cathedral is crowned with 12 gilded bells, the largest of which weighs 11,758 kg. It is a five-aisled temple richly decorated with mosaics, stained glass windows and frescoes. The central altar is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky, the southern altar to Saint Boris, who brought Christianity to Bulgaria, and the northern one to Saints Cyril and Methodius, those who created the “Cyrillic alphabet”. Beneath the cathedral there is a dungeon where the Icon Museum is located, where you can admire a collection of 300 icons and frescoes from all over the country.

Address: pl. Alexander Nevsky (metro St. Kliment Ohridski)

Entrance: about 7 dollars (10 BGN)

Schedule: Cathedral - daily 07:00 - 18:00. Museum - 10:30 am - 6:30 pm, except Tuesday.

Church of Hagia Sophia (Sveta Sofia)

This is an Orthodox church opposite the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It was erected in the 6th century on the ruins of older churches. A cross-shaped structure with a large dome. Early Christian floor mosaics are impressive. In the 16th century, the temple became a mosque; 2 minarets were added to the structure. In the first quarter of the last century, there was an earthquake that destroyed the minarets. And some time later, Hagia Sophia again became an Orthodox church.

Address: pl. Alexander Nevsky

Church of St. George (Sveti Georgi)

The church was built around the end of the 3rd - beginning of the 4th centuries. It is believed to be the oldest church in Sofia. From the 16th century to 1878, the church was a mosque. The interior decoration is very beautiful. The main value is the frescoes of the 6th - 12th centuries. The temple is still active.

Address: Boulevard Knyaz Dondukov, 2 (Metro Serdika)

National History Museum

The collection of this museum is more than 650,000 exhibits, and they are designed to acquaint their guests with the history of Bulgaria from the most ancient times to the present day. The museum has three sections devoted to archeology, history and ethnography. I don't think it's worth listing what you can see here. The museum was founded in 73 of the last century.

Address: st. Vitoshko lale, 16

Lviv bridge

Look for this bridge in the north of the city center. If you go to the central railway station. It runs across the Vladayskaya river. The bridge was erected at the end of the 19th century to replace the old bridge. It is not hard to guess what the name of the bridge is, because it is guarded by four bronze sculptures of lions. This whole construction was quite expensive, but now it is one of the symbols of Sophia. By the way, one of these lions was depicted on the 20 leva banknote from 1999 to 2007. Well, I guess you definitely won't miss this bridge while exploring the historic city center.

Tomb of Prince Alexander I of Batenberg

Alexander I of Batenberg - the first ruler of Bulgaria after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. His tomb is located in the center of the city. Prior to this, the remains of the ruler were in the Cathedral of St. George (until 87 of the last century). The tomb is an interesting structure 11 meters high in the Old Greek style. The sarcophanes of Alexander are made of marble.

Doctor's garden

A small park in the center of Sofia is named so because there is a monument dedicated to medical workers who died saving people during the Russian-Turkish war. This monument of granite and sandstone in the center of the park was erected here in 1884. The monument looks like a kind of pyramid, on which the names of 531 participating doctors are written. The base of the pyramid is decorated with bronze wreaths. Representatives of the Bulgarian Red Cross commemorate their colleagues on March 3 every year in this park. Also in the park there is a lapidarium - an exposition of ancient samples of writing on stone slabs. It's small but very intriguing. Also in the park are parts of ancient buildings from the Balkans. For example, the decorations of the Temple of Zeus from the 2nd century - they were found under the Garibaldi Square in the center of Sofia.

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Sofia is one of the oldest European cities, where magnificent examples of church and historical architecture have been preserved to this day. Despite the fact that Sofia became the capital not so long ago - no more than a century and a half ago - it remains an interesting cultural center for tourists, a place where the cultures of the East and Europe mix, as well as a city filled with energy, contrasts and beauty.

We know Sofia as the capital of the state, but in addition, this city includes twenty-four districts, large districts of the city. A full-blooded life is going on in Sofia, a lot of ideas, both old and new, soar in the atmosphere of the city, and all this takes place against the backdrop of a picture of the unique richness of history. Fortunately for tourists, the locals know how to preserve the memory of times gone by.

Panorama of Sofia:

What can you see in Sofia? Most of the tourist routes start from the construction Temple - Monument to St. Alexander Nevsky... On People's Assembly Square tourists will be curious to look at the structure The National Assembly with located there the figure of Emperor Alexander II... While walking around Boulevard Tsar Liberator You can get past Russian Church of St. Nicholas and Museum of Natural Sciences and be at Batenberg square which is known as the city center.

Building Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky located on an area of ​​3170 square meters, it is designed for five thousand parishioners. The facade of the building is completely clad in white stone, and the doors at the entrance are made of Slavonian oak. Cathedral domes are gilded. The bell tower is fifty-three meters high. There are twelve bells on it, the heaviest weighs twelve tons, and the lightest only ten kilograms. The ringing of bells is carried over a distance of fifteen kilometers. The temple has a unique interior, it makes a powerful impression thanks to its wonderful marble decorations, as well as murals and icons - there are eighty-two of them in total. They were written by Czech, Bulgarian and Russian artists. Most of all, tourists are impressed by the marble iconostasis, the royal and patriarchal thrones, as well as the pulpit. There is also a mosaic panel, where you can see the image of King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor.

Since 1946, two holidays have been celebrated in the Cathedral: the twelfth of September - the transfer of the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to St. Petersburg, and the twenty-third of November - the day of the Assumption of St. Alexander Nevsky.

The crypt is located in the temple dungeon, which is a collection of icons, among which there are many masterpieces of icon painting. Since the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky is a monument, it does not have a specific parish. In this Cathedral, daily, Sunday and festive - public services are held, but christenings, weddings and funeral services are not held. The only exceptions to this rule were the wedding of Tsar Boris III, who was on the throne in 1918-1943. - it was in 1930, he married Princess Giovanna of Savoy, then conducting his funeral service - in 1943, and also the funeral service for Patriarch Kirill - in 1971 - and the famous opera singer Boris Hristov - in 1993 ...

The Church of St. Alexander Nevsky is the second largest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans.

Church of St. Alexander Nevsky:

The best shops in the city are located along Vitosha Boulevard, and in addition, they are located in a gallery located near the National Palace of Culture. Tourists will certainly be interested in the only active mosque in Sofia, which was built at the end of the sixteenth century by the Turkish architect Koca Mimar Sinan. Another building - an architectural monument that belongs to his merits - is the Selim II Mosque, which is located in Edirne. The building erected in Sofia bears the name Banya Bashi Mosque... In the rear part of the building there is a small, not so long ago found fragment of an old bath, which was previously adjacent to the mosque, as well as a fountain with drinking hot water. You can only visit the building when the parishioners do not perform namaz.

Banya Bashi Mosque:

Another memorable place in the city that has the word "Bath" in its name is Mineral (or Turkish) Bath, which was built at the beginning of the last century. This building is truly a pearl of architectural art and a historical landmark of Sofia. The beautiful facade of the building and the decoration with ceramics convey a message to the ornaments inherent in the churches of the city of Nessebar from the Middle Ages. In the nineties, at a difficult time for the Eastern European states, this building, sadly, was forgotten by the authorities and for almost twenty years reconstruction work has been going on here. In the future, the city authorities intend to open a museum in this place.

In the central part of a small Banski square, which is located between the Banya Bashi Mosque and the Mineral Bath, there is a new fountain. And behind the Mineral Bath, a wonderful complex with fountains, from which drinking water gushes, was erected.

Other interesting places in Sofia are Buyuk Mosque - Jami, Church of St. Peter of Samothrace, National Archaeological Museum, and Church of the Holy Sedmother.

Tourists will also be curious Museum of the History of Sofia, the building of the Sofia University named after Clement Orchidsky, City Art Gallery that is in Central Park, as well Sofia Mineral Baths, which were erected on the site where the Roman baths used to be located.

V National History Museum you can fully learn about the traditions of the Bulgarian people, there is a wonderful set of exhibits. This cultural institution was founded not so long ago - in 1981, then the 1300th anniversary of the statehood of Bulgaria was celebrated on a grand scale. Thracian gold inspired by legends was displayed in such a way that tourists could look at each exhibit separately. Other items of the exhibition, ceramics, bas-reliefs and silver - allow you to get acquainted with local achievements during the Middle Ages. For example, there are a large number of artifacts dating back to the Bulgarian Renaissance - here, among other things, there are folk costumes, jewelry and household items.

The capital of Bulgaria - Sofia - is located in the west of the country. This one of the oldest cities in Europe has a 7000-year history. During its existence, the city was destroyed many times, prospered, again fell into decay, and then rebuilt. Sofia attracts numerous tourists by the fact that monuments of Roman, Ottoman, Bulgarian and Thracian history are adjacent to modern buildings and structures. The sights of Sofia include about 250 monuments of architecture and history.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

One of the most famous sights of Sofia is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This largest Orthodox church in the Balkans was erected in 1908 in honor of the Russian soldiers who defended Bulgaria during the Russian-Turkish war. An appeal was spread throughout the country that everyone who can make their contribution to the construction of the monument, which will express all the gratitude of the Bulgarian people to their liberators. Initially, the date for laying the monument was set for March 1882, but this event had to be postponed due to the deterioration of relations between Bulgaria and Russia.

In 1896, the construction commission chose the project presented by the architect Pomerantsev. In 1920, the construction of the temple was completed, but the official opening took place only in 1924.

This monumental building is located in the very center of the Bulgarian capital. The height of the temple is 50 meters, and the area is 2600 square meters. m. The temple is made of white stone and granite and is decorated with various sculptural and decorative elements: friezes, cornices, columns. The golden domes of the temple are visible from afar, and 12 bells are suspended from the belfry, the largest of which weighs 12 tons.

The interior decoration of the cathedral is also impressive. It consists of Italian marble, Brazilian onyx, African alabaster. The premises are decorated with mosaics, multi-colored metal structures and church utensils. But the main decoration is the highly artistic painting, which was created by many famous Bulgarian and Russian artists. Here you can admire picturesque oil and tempra paintings, frescoes, ornamental and symbolic images.

Saint Sophie Cathedral

Near Alexander Nevsky Square is the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, which is one of the oldest monuments in Bulgaria. The date of the construction of the Cathedral is considered to be the 6th-7th centuries. This temple gave the name to the capital of Bulgaria, and it is also represented on the coat of arms of the city. The building was built on the site of two small dilapidated churches. In the 90s of the 20th century, the Cathedral was restored and antique catacombs were found on its territory.

There is a beautiful park near the Cathedral, the center of which is the Doctor's Monument. The monument was erected in honor of Russian medical workers and military personnel who died during the Russian-Turkish war. Also on the territory of the Cathedral is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, next to which an eternal flame burns.

Library named after Cyril and Methodius

On Alexander Nevsky Square, tourists can also see the Cyril and Methodius Library. The largest book depository in Bulgaria contains about 2,000 early printed and handwritten editions. In front of the library there is a monument to Cyril and Methodius.

Photo: Library named after Cyril and Methodius

Other significant sights of Sofia

The area of ​​Alexander Batenberg also attracts tourists. It houses the Church of St. Nicholas, built according to the project of the architect Preobrazhensky and dedicated to the Russian soldiers who laid down their heads during the Russian-Turkish war.

The Church of St. George, once called "Serdika", is the most significant surviving monument of ancient Sofia. The building has a 1,500-year history, and during this time it was rebuilt several times. First, the building housed a mausoleum, then a bathhouse. Since the adoption of Christianity in Bulgaria, the building was turned into a baptismal room, and then into an ordinary church. The Church of St. George is famous for its magnificent frescoes.

In the city park of Sofia, there is the Ivan Vazov National Theater, built in the Baroque style. The majestic building is decorated with sculptures of the goddess Nike and reliefs with mythological subjects.

The sights of Sofia attract a large number of tourists to the city from all over the world. The capital of Bulgaria is rightfully considered one of the main cultural centers of the country. In addition to numerous architectural monuments, the city boasts theaters, museums, galleries, exhibition halls. The National Historical Museum, Natural Science Museum, Ethnographic Museum, National Art Gallery deserve special attention.

Also in Sofia is the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the largest Bulgarian University named after St. Kliment Ohridski.

A huge number of sites write about the sights of Bulgaria and Sofia, but the most striking thing is that in half of the cases this is misinformation. The photographs are especially impressive. Yesterday I once again came across some kind of travel site filled with copywriter articles, including about the sights of Sofia. The article opened with a photo of some Czech city.
That is, the one who posted this article there has no idea what Sofia and its sights look like. People mercilessly rewrite everything that comes to hand and rummage in the internet for pictures. And if the photo is not signed, it will represent half of the capitals of Europe. The main thing is that it fits in size and texture. Trouble, not otherwise.

Something like a lapidarium in Doktorska Gradina. ...

Monument to Russian doctors -. There was a question about him in "What? Where? When?" - the connoisseurs have lost.

Place of execution and monument to the great Bulgarian revolutionary - the Angel of Freedom.

The famous landmark and emblem of Sofia is a template for all travel postcards. In his crypt (the door is right in the photo) there is an exposition of rare icons.

The Basilica of Hagia Sophia is the temple that gave the name to the city. In her dungeon there is one worthy of a visit.