Sofia was founded around 7000 years ago. Over the centuries, it has been given several names and the remnants of the old cities can still be viewed today. Near Sofia lies Boyana church, which is one of the most valuable memorials of Bulgarian and European culture. The church boasts frescoes, acclaimed by specialists as “the best examples of eastern medieval art during its twelve century history”.
The decline of Sofia during the Turkish Ottoman Empire was followed by the rejuvenation after the Russian liberation in 1878, when Sofia was chosen as the capital of Bulgaria at the First National Constituent Assembly, and followed by a brisk and straight-forward period of construction.
See
Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe with ruins spread across the city center. It was founded because of the quality of its mineral waters. In the city alone there are 7 independent mineral water springs. One of the springs is located in the central area of the city and is accessible for everybody - cross the square behind the mosque, next to TSUM (the intersection of Iskar and Ekzarh Yosif streets).
In the administrative center of Sofia the streets are covered with a specific yellow pavement. It was laid in the beginning of the 20th century and were a present to the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand for his wedding from the Austria-Hungarian royal family.
Popular attractions
-National Assembly of Bulgaria
-Sofia University
-Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
-Ivan Vazov National Theatre
-SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library
-National Palace of Culture
-Central Military Club. It`s a multi-purpose monument of culture building in the city center.
Museums
-National Museum of Military History
-Ethnographic Institute with Museum
-Earth and Man National Museum
-National Museum of History
-National Institute of Archaeology and Museum
-National Polytechnic Museum
-National Museum of Natural History
-House-Museum of Ivan Vazov
-Museum of Sport
-Museum of Paleontology and historical geology
-National Literature Museum
-National Agricultural Museum edit
-National Ecclesiastical History-Archeological Museum
Galleries
National Gallery for Foreign Art
National Art Gallery
Sofia Art Gallery
Sofia City Art Gallery
Churches
-Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. One of the largest orthodox churches worldwide.
-Boyana Church
-Church of St. George
-Church of St. Petka of the Saddlers.
-Church of St. Nedelya.
-Hagia Sophia Church, 2 Paris str.. It is located just across the square and to the right from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It was built in the 6th century over an even older church. It is a witness of the whole Bulgarian history and is a valued cultural monument. In the 14th century it gave its name to the city of Sofia. It was destroyed several times and during the Ottoman rule it was used as a mosque.
-Russian Church.
-Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church
Temples
Catholic cathedral St. Joseph.
Banya Bashi Mosque.
Sofia Synagogue
Historical Buildings
-Amphitheatre of Serdica, (Located in the geographical center of the city under the flags of the EU.).
-Battenberg Mausoleum. The mausoleum and final resting place of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria (1857–1893), the first Head of State of modern Bulgaria.
-Monument to Vasil Levski. It commemorates the hanging of Bulgarian national hero and major revolutionary figure Vasil Levski in the city on 18 February 1873.
-Monument to the Tsar Liberator. Representing the power of freedom and across from it are the National Assembly and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
-Monument to the Unknown Soldier.
-Knyaz Battenberg's Palace, (Right in front of the city garden.).
-Sofia Public Mineral Baths. It is an old building of interest, although it is in process of renovation at the moment
Open Spaces
-Borisova gradina. It`s the "lungs" of the city, with the Ariana Lake
City Garden. It`s the oldest and most central public garden, in existence since 1872.
-Largo.
-Orlov Most. It`s a bridge over the Perlovska River in the centre of Sofia
-Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square.
-Slaveykov Square. It`s an open-air book market.
-Patriarch Evtimiy Square.
-Sofia Zoo
Get out
-Vitosha is a magnificent landmark mountain just rises south of the capital. It is easily accessible by public transportation or by car and day trips in Vitosha in a sunny day are highly recommended. In the winter it is well suited for skiing and its proximity allows one day ski-trips.
-Rila Monastery is the most famous monastery in Bulgaria, situated in the huge Rila Massive. It`s just one hour and a half drive away from Sofia.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It`s just one hour drive on a good highway away from Sofia. Plovdiv lies around three hills in the otherwise totally flat Thracian plane. It's historical center, Roman remnants & relaxed feeling make it a great day-trip.
-Veliko Turnovo a beautiful city along a winding river, the former capital of Bulgaria in the middle ages. The original city castle and walls are reconstructed. Be sure also to visit nearby Arbanassi.
-There are also many monasteries around Sofia.
