Welcome To Sofia

Sofia Buildings The "Kliment Ohridski" University of Sofia This is an imposing Baroque-style building on the corner of Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. and Vassil Levski Blvd. On the both sides of the main entrance are the statues of the two brothers, Hristo and Evlogi Georgiev, who donated the land and money for the founding of the university.

The Central Baths This beautiful and sad mosaicked building behind Main department Store is the former Turkish mineral baths. The tender is currently out for its restoration, so we may once again be able to enjoy the grandeur of an oriental public bathhouse. Nearby is the mineral water spring. National Assembly The Parliament ( National Assembly) building, listed as a cultural monument, is situated on the square of the same name on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. It was built in three stages from 1884 to 1928, on plans of the Viennese architect Yovanovich. Above the main entrance runs the slogan "Unity Makes Strength".

The National Opera House Situated in one of the most impressive buildings in Sofia on the corner of Rakovski St. and Doundukov Blvd. Ten columns are lined up along the main facade, above which a rich frieze illustrates the struggle of the Bulgarian nation against fascism. The foyers, balconies and large hall are decorated with a multicolored marble, paintings showing scenes from different operas, and exquisite plaster ornaments.

The Ivan Vazov National Theater This theater in the city park is a model of Baroque architecture. Along the facade of this majestic building six columns with beautiful capital support a large triangular pediment, decorated with mythological high reliefs. In the same way as the antique shrines, they remind us that this is a temple of culture. To the sides two towers rise up, topped by sculptures of the Goddess Nike.

Churches in Sofia The major religion in Bulgaria is Christian orthodox and most of the churches in Sofia perform Orthodox services. The ones listed below are of historical importance to the city. Below you will find the addresses of places of worship for Catholics, Protestants, Hebrews and Muslims.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral St. Nedelia Church The church squats on a plot dividing two of Sofia's busiest streets, Vitosha Blvd. and Maria Luisa Blvd. St.Nedelia was built in the period 1856-1863 upon remains of the Roman town of Serdica. In 1925 it was almost demolished by political sabotage, but was later reconstructed. Popular place for weddings. The Rotunda of St.George The red brick rotunda church of St. George is considered the oldest building in Sofia. It is situated behind Sheraton Hotel, amid remains of the ancient town of Serdica. Three layers of frescoes have been discovered, the earliest dating back to the 10th century. Magnificent frescoes of 22 prophets over 2 meters tall crown the dome. At present church is a museum, open Tue - Sat 10.30am - 1pm, 3pm-5.30pm. The St. Petka Samardziiska Church This mediaeval church nestles peacefully in the subway in front of the Main Department Store and can be seen rising out amidst the traffic-filled boulevards that pass it by. The church, built in the 14th century, is still well preserved and houses frescoes from three different periods. The closest you can get to, however is the cafe by its side. St. Sofia Church If St.George is the oldest church then St.Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia. Many legends surrounds its history, but it was actually built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian between 527-565. In the 14th century the church gave its name to the city. During the Turkish rule minarets were added and the church functioned as a mosque until two earthquakes in the 19th century destroyed one of the minarets and the mosque was abandoned. Restoration work was begun after 1900. The present building is a cross basilica with three altars.

The Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and their five disciples The church bears the name Sveti Sedmochislenici (The Holy Seven) and is on Graf Ignatiev St. , close to Patriarch Evtimii Blvd. It was built in 1528 by the Turkish architect Sinan and was originally a mosque, called the Black Mosque due to the black marble of its minarets. It was later refurbished to serve the needs of Orthodox Christians, but it its monumental naos is preserved. The St. Nikolai Russian Church Built in 1912 by Russian workmen, this church on the corner of Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. and Rakovski St. preserves the style of Moscow decorative arts, painting and architecture. The high dome is surrounded by four smaller domes. The roof of the church and above the door is covered with green majolica tiles, which harmonize perfectly with the gold-plated domes. The external decoration of the Russian church is a joy to behold with its exquisite and rich colors. The frescoes were painted in the style of Novgorod icon school. The Banya Bashi Mosque This is a typical monument of Turkish architecture which adds color to Sofia city center. It was built in 1576 by the famous Turkish architect who also built Sultanselim mosque in the town of Odrin in Macedonia. Loudspeakers on the tall minarets call worshippers to prayer. On Maria Luisa Blvd., next to Main Department Store. The Protestant Church Church of the Adventists of the Seventh Day at 10 Solunska St. Services are on Saturday, sermons at 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. Catholic Churches St.Joseph at 125 Tsar Boris St. Services Mon-Sat at 7am, 6pm; Sun 9am in Polish, 10am in Bulgarian, 11am in Latin. The Nunciate Church at 6 11th August St.. Services Sun 9am in Latin. St. Francis Church of the Carmelites at 7 Assen Zlatarov St. Services Mon-Sat 7am in Bulgarian, Sun 8am in Bulgarian. Catholic Church with a Bysantine ritual at 7 Nikola Kogarzhiev St. The Synagogue The Sofia Synagogue, which was designed by the architect Grunanger, closely resembles the famous Sepherdic house of prayer in Vienna, which was later demolished by bombs. It was opened for worship in 1909. The building is in Spanish-Mauritanian style, with a central octangular dome lit by the biggest chandelier on the Balkans. On Ekzarh Yosif St. and Washington St.

Theaters in Sofia •

DRAMA THEATER "SOFIA" o 23A Yanko Sakazov Blvd.  Predominantly visiting companies

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SMALL CITY THEATER "ZAD KANALA" o 25 Yanko Sakazov Blvd.  The best place to see modern works in a small, intimate auditorium.

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THEATER 199 o 8 Slavyanska St.

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YOUTH THEATER o Narodno Sabranie Square  Youth theater with consistently good avant-garde productions.

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PEOPLE'S THEATER "IVAN VAZOV" o 1A Vasil Levski St.  Works by eminent Bulgarians and classical writers performed by the national theater company.

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"SALZA I SMIAH" THEATER o 5 Slavianska St.  The oldest proffesional theater company in Sofia, dating from 1892, and maintaining a reputation for challenging drama.

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SATIRICHEN TEATAR "ALEKO KONSTANTINOV" o 26 Stafan Karadzha St.  The place to go for comedy and cabaret.

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PUPPET THEATER o 14 Gurko St.  Performances for children.

Monuments Ruski Pametnik (Russian Monument) Ruski pametnik was the first monument built in Sofia after the liberation from the centuries of Turkish rule. The 10-meter high pyramid of the white sandstone is sliced off at the top. The sculptor is unknown but it is certain that the monument was built in honor of Tsar Alexander II. It stands on Russki Pametnik Square near Rodina hotel. The Tsar Osvoboditel (Tsar Liberator)Monument The Tsar Osvoboditel monument by the renowned Italian Sculpture Arnoldo Zocci, is one of the most beautiful in Sofia. Situated on the square in front of the parliament building, it is an expression of thanks from the Bulgarian nation to its Russian liberators. The 14 meters high monument portrays the Russian Tsar Alexander II, astride his horse, holding the declaration of the War of Liberation. The upper part of the pedestal is a relief composition underneath which small bronze bas-relief illustrate important events from the war. The Monument to the Soviet Army The Monument to the Soviet Army is situated in the beautiful park close to Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. It is a tall prism, crowned with an 8-meter sculptural composition. Bronze figurative compositions decorate the main body of the monument.

Museums in Sofia Sofia's museums are almost exclusively Bulgaria-oriented and are aimed at chronicling the conflicting fortunes of this once great empire, the peoples that have passed through it from Thracians through Greeks, Romans and Turks, and the lives of the Bulgarians themselves in recent centuries. They can provide a fascinating insight into the Balkan Peninsula, and entrance fees are laughably low so there's no excuse not to visit them. •

NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM o 2, Vitosha Blvd. .Tel: 884 160  Working time: 09.30 - 18.30; No day off

The museum covers the whole period from prehistory to the present day. The ground floor houses relics from the earliest period up to the Middle Ages and includes gold and silver treasures (the Panagyurishte treasure), ceramics and archaeological remains. The first floor concentrates on ecclesiastical art, the 19th century Bulgarian National Revival including folk costumes, carpets and typically furnished rooms from that period. •

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM o 2, Saborna St. Tel:882 406  Working time: 10.00 - 12.00/ 14.00 - 18.00; Closed on Mondays.

Remains of Thracian, 'Buyuk(Big)Mosque'. •

Greek

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Roman settlements

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15th

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THE EARTH AND MAN MUSEUM o 2, Cherni Vrah Blvd. Tel:656 639  Working time: 10.00 - 18.00; Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Founded in 1986. Over 20,000 exhibits are on display, divided into six sections: Giant Crystals, Minerals of the Earth, Industrial Minerals, Raw Material Sources of Bulgaria, Gems, New Materials. The museum also holds art exhibitions and classical music evenings, which are noted in our cultural supplement. •

NATIONAL NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM o 1, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. Tel:885 215  Working time: 10.00 - 19.00; No day off.

The museum was founded in 1889 and opened to visitors in 1907. Nowadays the museum has three major sections: Geology, Zoology and Botany. Apart from several meteorites, the 'Earth and Space' exhibition features unique lunar samples and an impressive dinosaur skeleton. A special exhibition shows live pythons, crocodiles, and iguanas. •

ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM o 6A, Moskovska St. Tel:874 191  Working time: 10.30 - 17.30; Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The museum displays folk costumes, fabrics, jewelry,wood cuttings, hammered ironwork, etc. A small craft shop sells crafts, costumes and musical instruments from all over Bulgaria. In the former Royal Palace on Tsar Osvohoditel Blvd., along with the National Art Gallery. •

THE ALEXANDER NEVSKY CRYPT o 1, St. Alexander Nevsky, Sq. Tel:877 697  Working time: 10.30 - 12.30/14.00 - 18.30; Closed on Tuesdays.

The crypt museum was founded in 1965 and contains items from the very beginnings of Bulgarian iconography (the end of the 9th century) until the end of the 19th century. All stages of the Bulgarian iconography school are represented in a collection of 1500 items.

SOFIA - MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST ALEXANDER NEVSKI MEMORIAL CHURCH Completed in 1912 in honour of the Russian casualties of the 1877-78 War of Liberation from Ottoman Rule. Gold-domed, it is the finest piece of architecture in the Balkans. Craftsmen and artists from 6 countries worked on the five-aisle church in the course of 30 years and created real masterpieces of icons, frescoes, murals and huge chandeliers. The interior decoration, made of Italian marble. Egyptian alabaster, Brazilian onyx, gold, mosaics embodies the spirit of the finest Eastern Orthodox traditions. A superb collection of icons - the best in Bulgaria - can also be seen in the Crypt.

ROTUNDA OF ST. GEORGE A C4 brick building in the courtyard behind the Sheraton Hotel, adorned with finely preserved early medieval frescoes. There are also remains of a C2 street and other Byzantine ruins.

ST. SOFIA CHURCH The 4th-6th century basilica was built during the reign of Justinian. It has survived intact with 1600- year-old mosaic details and towards the end of the C14 gave the city its name. Beside the wall of the church is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Nearby is the grave of the national poet and writer Ivan Vazov, marked by an engraved boulder.

THE NATIONAL PALACE OF CULTURE The biggest Congress Centre in the Balkans. It is located in the centre of the city and faces the Vitosha Mountain.

THE CHURCH OF ST. NEDELYA (Opposite the Sheraton Hotel) Built in medieval times and known as the Church of the Blessed Sveti Kral. The current building was reconstructed after 1925 when it was almost completely destroyed by a bomb explosion.

VASSIL LEVSKI MONUMENT

SOFIA UNIVERSITY

Vassil Levski was the principal architect of the campaign to free Bulgaria from the oppression of the Ottoman Empire. The monument marks the spot where he was hanged by the Turks in 1873.

The country's most prestigious university. It was built a decade after Sofia became Bulgaria's capital in 1879 with funds bequeathed by the brothers Evlogi and Christo Georgiev.

DRAGALEVTSI A suburb in the woods at the foot of Mount Vitosha. About 3 km further on is DRAGALEVTSI MONASTERY, founded during the reign of King Ivan Alexander. Frescoes date back to the C15. The church, which is part of the original monastery, often sheltered the Apostle of Freedom Vassil Levski during the C19.

BOYANA A suburb at the foot of Mount Vitosha, notable for the BOYANA CHURCH, built in the C11. Frescoes are claimed to be among the oldest and most interesting examples of East European Medieval art. Like Rila Monastery, the BOYANA CHURCH has been listed by UNESCO as a part of the world s cultural heritage.

MOUNT VITOSHA

THE RUSSIAN CHURCH

It has become very much a part of Sofia owing to its accessibility by means of the cabin lifts at Knyazhevo and Simeonovo. Cherni Vrah, the highest point, gives wonderful views over the whole region. The winter ski-resort Aleko lies at 1868 m and the ski season lasts from early December until late spring. The beautiful scenery makes the whole area attractive throughout the year.