The main attractions of Sofia on the map. Sofia, Bulgaria: description and attractions

Sofia is the largest city and capital of Bulgaria, located in the western part of the country. The city is considered one of the oldest in all of Europe, because a settlement existed on the territory in the 3rd century BC. Throughout history, periods of prosperity and complete ruin alternated.

By now, Thracian, Bulgarian, Ottoman and Roman monuments coexist with modern buildings. The city is located more than 250 monuments history and architecture, so we can highlight the most interesting objects among them. It's no wonder that Sofia attracts many people for active trips.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a cathedral belonging to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The religious landmark was built at the beginning of the 20th century in honor of the Russian soldiers who died liberating Bulgaria from Turkish rule during the war in the late 1870s.

Features of the cathedral:

• The façade is based on white stone and granite.
• Cornices, columns, and friezes are used to decorate the building.
• The interior is refined with Italian marble, Brazilian onyx, and African alabaster.

The building surprises with its beauty. In addition, since 1964, the Museum of Icons has been operating in the underground crypt, which displays more than 300 icons and frescoes with different countries peace.

Location: St. Alexander Nevski Square.

The monument is dedicated to the emperor Alexander II From Russia. It was the Russian emperor who liberated and gave freedom to Bulgaria, which had previously been subordinate to the Ottomans.

The monument has existed since 1907. This architectural object is recognized as the best by the Italian sculptor Arnold Zocchi. It should be noted that the monument was created based on the principles of the Renaissance. In addition, at the top there is an equestrian statue of the emperor, just below - the army, at the very foot - a bronze wreath. As a result, the monument perpetuates the memory of the Romanian soldiers who died in the war, and is not only dedicated to the Tsar Liberator.

The Russian church is considered one of the most grandiose in the whole city. It has existed since 1912. In addition, it was built under the leadership of the architect Preobrazhensky after receiving the appropriate order from Russian emigrants in Sofia.

The church was built taking into account the principles of the pseudo-Russian style, decorating the building with five domes. In the premises you can find ancient frescoes.

Among the Russian religious sites in Sofia, only the Russian Church of St. Nicholas works.

The church was built during the era of the Roman Empire. The religious site is made in the form of a low building with a dome, which represents the foundation of the oldest Bulgarian temple.

The Rotunda originally appeared in the 4th century. After the arrival of the Turks, the church was given over to the building of a mosque. At the end of the 19th century, the Rotunda was finally returned to the Orthodox Church. Nowadays, services are held regularly in the church.

Location: “Prince Alexander Dondukov” Boulevard - 2.

In the central part of Sofia there is Vitosha Boulevard, which is a tourist and pedestrian area. The only transport along the boulevard is trams and personal cars, so there is practically no traffic flow.

On both sides there are boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and museums. Near the Serdika metro station there is a statue of Hagia Sophia.

Throughout its history, the church has survived fire, earthquake and even terrorist attack.

The current building was built in XIX century on the foundations of a church that completely burned down in 1856. The date of construction of the first church is unknown, but it is believed that a significant event took place in the 10th century.

The architectural style of the religious landmark is difficult to describe. The main differences are:

• An arch-shaped canopy symbolizing the entrance.
• Antique stained glass windows created on the basis of colored glass.
• A high dome, complemented by miniature windows.
• Belfry.

The mixture of styles is explained by the repeated reconstruction of the building. The interior of the church is typical of an Orthodox religious building.

Location: Sveta Square Week - 20.

One of the existing Orthodox churches is the Church of St. Sophia. It was this religious landmark that gave the name to the city, which is the capital of Bulgaria.

The construction of the first temple dates back to 313. A few years later, instead of a wooden church, they managed to build a stone cathedral. However, the religious site was converted into a mosque during the Turkish yoke. In the 19th century, the Ottomans used the temple as a center for the city's fire service. Today the temple is active, but archaeological research is sometimes carried out there.

Location: st. "Paris" - 2.

The National Archaeological Museum is located in the building of a medieval mosque. The museum has been operating since 1905.

The Archaeological Museum is divided into several halls:

• Central.
• Ancient.
• Medieval.
• Special, intended for temporary exhibitions.

The museum displays cultural and archaeological exhibits.

Location: st. “Sborna” - 2.

The building of the National Palace of Culture has only existed since 1981. Nowadays it is considered an architectural monument of the Soviet era.

The Palace of Culture includes 16 large halls and more than 50 medium and small rooms. The halls are used for the following purposes:

• Exhibitions.
• Congresses.
• Concerts.
• Movie shows.
• Auctions.
• Birthdays of government members.
• Festivals.

There is a park complex around the building, from where a panorama of Mount Vitosha opens.

Location: Bulgaria Boulevard, 1463.

Boyana Church, consisting of three chapels, is included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. The eastern part has existed since the 10th century. At the beginning of the 13th century, a 2-story part of the church was added to the building. The third church was built only at the beginning of the 19th century, but it does not shine with luxury.

The Boyana Church became famous thanks to its murals, which were made in an original way.

Location: Boyansko Lake - 3.

The gallery began work in 1934, but was moved to its current location only in 1946 after the end of the monarchy.

In the gallery you can see exhibits of Bulgarian fine art, medieval painting, icons, and sculptures.

Location: Prince Alexander I Square 1.

Independence Square is located in the central part of Sofia. The main government buildings are located here:

• Parliament.
• Government House.
• Presidential residence.

There is a beautiful fountain in the center of the square. Even in the hot season, people love to stroll around the landscaped square, enjoying the shady corners, comfortable benches, and fountain.

One of the most popular places in Bulgaria is Slaveykov Square. The first mentions appeared in 1515, but at that time there were only a coffee shop, a mosque and two police stations. The square acquired its current appearance only in the 1920s.

The museum center has been operating since 1973. The collection was created thanks to research in the field of ethnography and archeology.

The exhibition includes:

• Art objects.
• Books.
• Photos.
• Church items.
• Jewelry.
• Household things.

The exhibition reveals the features of the development of Bulgaria, from the Neolithic era to the 21st century.

The total number of exhibits reaches 650 thousand, therefore the museum is considered one of the largest in all of Europe. The exhibition is divided into six periods: Stone Age, Thrace, Greek and Roman periods, Bulgarian kingdoms, Bulgarian revival, 20th century.

Location: Vitoshko Lale street - 16.

The ruins of the Roman Amphitheater in Sofia are accessible to tourists. Travelers can see not only ruins, but also coins and ceramic objects that were found during excavations.

The construction of the amphitheater dates back to the 3rd – 4th centuries, but it was subsequently destroyed. Until the time of destruction, gladiator fights with wild animals were regularly held here.

The museum center opened in 2011 and is a branch of the National Art Gallery. The exhibition represents the end of the communist past in Bulgaria, which made it possible to transition to a democratic future. It should be noted that Bulgaria was the latest to open a museum dedicated to the communist past. The museum displays exhibits promoting communism.

Location: Lachezar Stanchev - 7.

Sofia is not only the capital, but also one of the most interesting cities throughout Bulgaria. Everyone has the right to enjoy a trip to the capital of Bulgaria and understand not only the city of Sofia, but the whole country.

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 travel website filled with copyright articles, including about the sights of Sofia. The article opened with a photo of some Czech city.
That is, whoever posted this article there has no idea what Sofia or its attractions look like. People mercilessly rewrite everything they can get their hands on and scour the internet for photos. And if the photo is not captioned, it will represent half of the capitals of Europe. The main thing is that it fits in size and texture. Trouble, no less.

Something like a lapidarium in Doctorska Gradina. .

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

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

The famous landmark and emblem of Sofia is the template of all tourist postcards. In its crypt (the door right in the photo) there is an exhibition of rare icons.

Basilica of Hagia Sophia is the temple that gave its name to the city. Her dungeon is worth a visit.

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

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

Bath-bashi-mosque

It is assumed that this mosque was built in the mid-16th century. At the same time, this is the only functioning Muslim temple in Sofia. The rectangular red brick building with a large dome and tall minaret is an excellent example of Ottoman architecture of that period. The walls of the prayer hall, arches and columns are made of stone, and the main dome is covered with tin plates. The mosque underwent many changes in the 20s of the 20th century, and the reconstruction was sponsored by the Turkish ambassador in Sofia. The mosque can accommodate about 1,200 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 church, 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 here. A beautiful building, covered with ivy, today is the oldest Archaeological Museum in the country. It was founded in 1879. The museum's collections are impressive - more than 55,000 exhibits - this is no joke. And here you can look at the largest collection of coins (only in Bulgaria, not all over the world). On the ground floor of the museum there is a collection of objects from the Roman, Thracian, Greek and Byzantine periods. For example, here you can see early Christian mosaics from the Hagia Sophia, pieces of Roman and Greek sarcophagi, tombstones of the 3rd-4th centuries. Yes, there is something here called the “Vulchitrunian Treasure” - 13 golden Thracian vessels weighing 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 statue of Apollo made of bronze, covered with gilt. True, without part of the legs and arms. But still impressive. One more interesting statue– a copy of the statue of the Madara horseman (the original statue is carved into the rock near the village of Madara, it was not possible to bring it:) On the second floor there are things from the Neolithic era: clay dishes, weapons, dishes and more. There is also a hall with icons and parts of ancient frescoes.

Address: st. Sborna 2

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Alexandronevskaya Lavra)

The temple was built in 1882 - 1912 according to the designs of Russian architects in honor of the hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers who died in the 1878 war, helping Bulgaria throw off the shackles of Turkish rule. The cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans and the largest cathedral in Bulgaria, its area is 2600 sq. m. m., height - 52 m. The bell tower of the cathedral is crowned with 12 gilded bells, the largest of which weighs 11,758 kg. This is a five-nave 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”. Under the cathedral there is a dungeon where the Museum of Icons is located, where you can admire a collection of 300 icons and frescoes from all over the country.

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

Entrance: about 7 dollars (10 levs)

Working hours: Cathedral - daily 07:00 - 18:00. Museum - 10:30 - 18:30, except Tuesday.

Church of Hagia Sophia (Sveta Sofia)

This is an Orthodox church opposite the Alexander Nevsky Temple. It was built in the 6th century on the ruins of older churches. The structure is in the shape of a cross, with a large dome. The early Christian floor mosaics are impressive. In the 16th century, the temple became a mosque, and 2 minarets were added to the building. In the first quarter of the last century, an earthquake occurred 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 that this is the oldest church in Sofia. From the 16th century until 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 today.

Address: Knyaz Dondukov boulevard, 2 (metro station Serdika)

National History Museum

The collection of this museum is more than 650,000 exhibits, and they are designed to acquaint its guests with the history of Bulgaria from ancient times to the present day. The museum has three sections, which are dedicated to archaeology, 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 Vladaiskaya River. The bridge was erected at the end of the 19th century to replace the old bridge. It is not difficult to guess that the bridge is called that because it is guarded by four bronze lion sculptures. This whole structure was quite expensive, but now it is one of the symbols of Sofia. By the way, one of these lions was depicted on the 20 lev banknote from 1999 to 2007. Well, I think you definitely won't miss this bridge while exploring historical center cities.

Tomb of Prince Alexander I of Batenberg

Alexander I of Batenberg is the first ruler of Bulgaria after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. His tomb is located in the city center. Before 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 ancient Greek style. Alexander's Sarcophane is 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 made of granite and sandstone in the center of the park was erected here in 1884. The monument looks like a pyramid with the names of 531 participating doctors written on it. 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. There is also a lapidarium in the park - an exhibition of ancient writing samples on stone slabs. It's small but very intriguing. Also in the park there are parts of ancient buildings from the Balkans. For example, decorations of the Temple of Zeus from the 2nd century were found under 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 a cultural center of interest 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 areas of the city. There is a full-blooded life in Sofia, many ideas float in the atmosphere of the city - both old and new, and all this happens against the backdrop of a picture of the unique richness of history. Locals, fortunately for tourists, they know how to preserve the memory of bygone times.

Panorama of Sofia:

What can you see in Sofia? Most tourist routes starts from the building Temple - monument to St. Alexander Nevsky. On People's Assembly Square tourists will be curious to look at the structure National Assembly with located there figure of Emperor Alexander II. While walking around Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard You can pass Russian Church of St. Nicholas And Museum of Natural Sciences and end up 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 covered with white stone, and the doors at the entrance are made of Slavonian oak. The cathedral domes are covered with gilding. The bell tower is fifty-three meters high. There are twelve bells on it, the heaviest weighs twelve tons, and the lightest weighs only ten kilograms. The ringing of bells can be heard 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 painted by Czech, Bulgarian and Russian artists. What most impresses tourists is the marble iconostasis, the royal and patriarchal thrones, as well as the pulpit. There is also a mosaic panel on which you can see the image of King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor.

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

In the temple dungeon there is a Crypt, 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 holiday public services are held, but baptisms, 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 from 1918 to 1943. - this was in 1930, he married Princess Giovanna of Savoy, then his funeral was held - in 1943, and also the funeral of 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 besides this, they are located in the gallery located near National Palace Cultures. Tourists will certainly be interested in the only functioning mosque in Sofia, which was built at the end of the sixteenth century by the Turkish architect Koca Mimar Sinan. Another building - architectural monument, which relates to his merits is the Selim II Mosque, which is located in Edirne. The building erected in Sofia bears the name Banya Bashi Mosque. At the back of the building there is a small, recently discovered fragment of an ancient bathhouse, which was previously adjacent to the mosque, as well as a fountain with drinking hot water. You can only visit the building when parishioners are not praying.

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 contain a message to the ornaments inherent in the churches of the city of Nessebar during the Middle Ages. In the nineties, during a difficult time for Eastern European states, this building, sadly enough, was forgotten by the authorities and reconstruction work has been ongoing here for almost twenty years. In the future, the city authorities intend to open a museum in this place.

In the central part there is 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 they built a wonderful complex with fountains from which drinking water gushes.

Others interesting places Sofia are Buyuk-Jami Mosque, Church of St. Peter of Samothrace, National Archaeological Museum, and also Church of the Holy Seventh.

Tourists will also be interested in Museum of the History of Sofia, buildings of the Sofia University named after Kliment Orchidski, City Picture Hall Gallery, which is located in Central Park, as well as Sofia Mineral Baths, which were erected on the site where Roman baths were previously located.

IN National Museum Stories You can fully learn about the traditions of the Bulgarian people; there is a wonderful set of exhibits here. This cultural institution was founded not so long ago - in 1981, when the 1300th anniversary of Bulgaria's statehood was celebrated on a grand scale. The legendary Thracian gold was exhibited in such a way that tourists could look at each exhibit separately. Other items in the exhibition, ceramics, bas-reliefs and silver, allow you to get acquainted with local achievements during the Middle Ages. For example, here is located large number artifacts dating back to the period of the Bulgarian Renaissance - here, among other things, there are folk costumes, jewelry and objects used in everyday life.

The capital of Bulgaria is rich in memorable places, museums, churches, which together are the national treasure of the Bulgarians, a symbol of their ethnic identity. Most cultural centers are located compactly, within walking distance of each other. Some Sofia sights remain below the line modern city- within the medieval defensive walls, but they have regular transport links. The national cultural park (an ancient “child” of the city) is deliberately not built up, because, together with the unique surrounding nature, ancient churches, museums and forts make up a single historical and cultural landscape. We'll tell you about the most important attractions of Sofia.

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Like careful hands, two wings of a monumental building Presidential Palace surround the former baptistery of Constantine the Great. In the 4th century, the font of the baptistery cleansed the ancient Bulgarians before accepting the Orthodox faith, so “Shine the place” is among other symbols of Bulgarian statehood: the guard of honor, the Sheraton Sofia-Balkan hotel, near the National Archaeological Museum. The shrine is tiny, the height of the dome is 13.7 m. But for a baptistery such dimensions are too large.

One can imagine the scale of the buildings that surrounded the preserved rotunda on all sides during its heyday Byzantine Empire! The Turks, having destroyed the city in the 14th century, founded the Gul-Jamasy mosque, whitewashing the Christian frescoes. The first restoration in 1915 allowed the world of rotunda frescoes to be rediscovered. Services are conducted every day. The Rotunda receives tourists in a pious manner (shorts and tops are not allowed) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Morning prayer begins at 8, evening prayer ends at 18:00. Voluntary donations are welcome.

Temple-monument to Alexander Nevsky

From the very high place Sofia calls the main temple of Bulgaria to worship with twenty-seven bells. The construction of a symbol of the victory of Orthodoxy was planned immediately after the Russian-Turkish war in 1979. The first drawings were made by the Russian architect A. Pomerantsev. Construction took 8 years and ended in 1912. The results of the First World War almost emasculated the essence of the monument: for some time the temple bore the name of St.St. Cyril and Methodius. But after the 1924 referendum, the main altar was re-consecrated in honor of Alexander Nevsky.

The height of the bell tower is 53 m, the area of ​​the cathedral is 3170 m2. It can accommodate 5,000 worshippers. 82 icons, 273 frescoes of the temple were created by artists P. Myasoedov, V. Vasnetsov, A. Vakhrameev, A. Kiselev, A. Korin, N. Bruni, V. Bolotnov, Kh. Tachev and others. At the cathedral there is a museum “Cathedralate Alexander Nevsky » with excursion service (for 10 levs per person) from 10.00 to 17.00, except Tuesdays. The cathedral itself is open from 07.00 to 18.00, admission is free.

Amphitheater Serdica

Located in the museum “Fortress of Serdika-Sredets”. Multilayer child ancient greek city Serdica is presented in an ultra-modern exhibition complex - under glass domes and in the form of preserved fragments of walls and ancient cobbled streets. The most valuable exhibits are the foundations of the fortress made of pink plinth from the Byzantine era and masonry with multi-colored cobblestones, marble granite blocks of the Hellenic period, as well as the remains of Greek colonnades and colorful archaic wall paintings.

The museum began its existence in 2004, when the territory was cleared for the Arena Hotel. It was then that an amphitheater comparable in size to the Colosseum was discovered. All surviving exhibits from the Arena Serdica are included in the halls and decoration of the hotel and are therefore constantly available.

Boyana Church

Boyana Church is located 8 km from Sofia. It could have gotten lost among the later additions if not for the frescoes of the 11th - 13th centuries. 240 figures and 89 scenes are dedicated to the life and deeds of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and Panteleimon the Healer. The figures are original: not according to the canon, they are striking in their portrait resemblance to historical characters, conveyed with emotions frozen in facial expressions. An interesting realistic depiction of vegetables and fruits (on the fresco “The Last Supper”).

The main part of the 11th century was completed in the 13th century by Sevastokrator Kaloyan. New paintings were applied on top of the previous paint layer. The outside facades of the Kaloyan Church are decorated with ceramics. The two-story Kaloyan Church is the tomb of the Bulgarian boyars. In the 19th century, the church was once again completed. The three limits of Boyana are located on the ring of the medieval defensive wall of Sofia. Entrance fee is 5 euros. Open daily from 9.30 to 17.00.

Hagia Sophia

The temple of the wisest in the wise city - there is no tautology - was erected in 343 for the Serdiki Cathedral. The year 537 left a disastrous mark. After the invasion of the barbarians, the Basilica of the Wisdom of God was restored by Emperor Justinian I the Great as a meeting place for the episcopate. Since the 13th century, the Bulgarian kings began to name the capital city using the word Sofia instead of the previous name Serdika. At the end of the 19th century, the Ottomans used the building as a fire control warehouse, after the earthquake of 1858 they did not dare to use it for a mosque as before. A bad sign, they said. But 1878 put everything in its place - Russian victories returned lands, temples and Faith to the Balkans.

The earthquake destroyed the mosaic floors of the oldest operating Orthodox church on the planet. However, restorers of the 90s consolidated the sacredness of the place by placing near Sofia the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the Fire of Memory, the Stone Lion in honor of Tsar Boris III, a monument to the writer Ivan Vazov and a square of the Russian Red Cross. Moreover, an underground necropolis with galleries and crypts was discovered under the basilica. Entrance there - 6 levs. From April 15 to October 1 (in summer period) open from 9.00 to 19.00. In winter - from 9.00 to 17.00.

Russian Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra is located on Tsar Liberator Boulevard in the center of Sofia. It was built as a symbol of victory over the Turks on the site of a market mosque. Approaching the church, the visitor walks along the Metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, along 1400 m², transferred to the Russian Synod back in 1882. The temple was founded in September 1907. The project was led by architect M. T. Preobrazhensky.

He gave the building a “pseudo-Russian” style, using the techniques of wooden and stone architecture before Peter’s times. Made of white carved stone under a tiled green roof, the porch seems to welcome the face of the Wonderworker, laid out on a pediment made of bright majolica. Entrance to the existing church is free, consistent with the hours of worship: at 9 o'clock - liturgy, at 10, 10:30 and 11 - prayers, at 17 o'clock - akafestas. A decorous appearance must be strictly observed. Donations are voluntary.

Cathedral of the Holy Week

The Church of Light Nedelya (Bulgarian) is named after the holy great martyr Kyriacia of Nicomedia, called Holy Week in the Balkans. For a long time the temple was wooden. Founded at the turn of the first and second millennium. It is significant in that it served as the tomb of the Serbian king Stefan II Milutin (from the 1460s). Before the fire in 1856, the temple was called the Church of the Holy King.

From 1856 to 1867, a new building was erected on the site of the burnt one. The dimensions of the building are impressive: 35.5 m x 19 m. The complex contains a bell tower with 8 bells (3 were added later). The final appearance of the church was formed by 1898, but the frescoes inside were completed only in 1971 - 1973. The temple has the status of a Cathedral. Sunday services are accompanied by a male choir. You can't rent for free. Fee for photography - 5 levs. Opens at 9:00, end of service at 18:00.

Sofia Synagogue

The largest synagogue in South-Eastern Europe was built in 1909 under Tsar Ferdinand I. The project was created by the Austrian architect F. Grünager. The style is eclectic: “Viennese Secession” with Moorish (in the arches of the facades). The height of the building is 31 meters, the area is 659 m2, the main chandelier weighs 2 tons. The Florentine mosaics on the floors of the halls and the decoration with exquisite wooden carvings have been preserved. Thematic excursions “Jewish communities of Bulgaria”, “Holocaust and rescue of Jews” are held here. The synagogue is open every day except Saturday and Sunday, and not on holidays - excluding Hanukkah and Easter. Open from 09:00 to 13:30 and from 14:00 to 16:30. Visitors pay 2 levs for a ticket.

Archaeological Institute and Museum

The NAIM BAN Museum (National Archaeological Institute-Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) occupies the building of the former Buyuk Jamia mosque, built in 1474. This is the main research center in Bulgaria in the fields of ethnography, archaeology, material assets and printing. Operating since 1949. The exhibitions on display tell the story of the pre-Thracian tribes, the Etruscans, and display funeral masks made of gold and copper of the Thracian kings, as well as artifacts from the reign of Ancient Rome.

Visitors can get acquainted with the results of excavations at the site of the first Odryzian capital of Filipoppolis, from the foot of Mount Shipka, from the sites of the ancient Bulgarian capitals of Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo. The heyday of Byzantium is shown by fragments of mosaics from Istanbul, ceramic dishes and religious objects made of precious metals.
Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00, seven days a week. Entrance - 10 leva.

Historical Museum of Bulgaria

Since 2000, the main exhibition of the National Historical Museum of Bulgaria has been presented in the building of the Boyana government residence. The heart of the presentable building is the halls with the Golden Treasure from Panagyurishte (IV - III centuries BC). Inlaid precious stones gold dishes, weapons, jewelry, armor and furniture - 650 items in total - became the main asset of the museum. The treasure was found on December 8, 1949.

In summer (April - October) the museum is open from 9.30 to 18:00, in winter (November - March) - from 9:00 to 17:30. Entrance fees for individual visitors the cost is 10 levs, for schoolchildren and students – 1 lev. Groups of 25 visitors are launched every 20 minutes. The one and a half hour sightseeing tour is free. Every last Monday of the month is free entry for everyone. With a museum ticket you can visit the Boyana Church.

Natural History Museum

NPM - National Natural Science Museum (Bulgarian) was created in 1889 by Prince Ferdinand. Located in a 4-story building. The ground floor features exhibits of inanimate nature, including giant fossils and minerals. The second floor is occupied by an exhibition about natural wealth countries. An exhibition of stuffed modern mammals can be seen on the 3rd. The fourth floor exhibition recreates scenes from the life of predators in the forests of America and Asia.

Two dioramas are presented: “Black Sea ichthyofauna” and “Coral reef of the island of Cuba”. The museum operates under the auspices of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and is the largest collection of its kind in the Balkans. NPM is open from Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 18:00, except weekends and holidays. Last launch is at 17:00. Ticket prices: adults - 5 BGN, children under five years old - 1 BGN, pensioners - 2 BGN.

Museum of Military History

National Museum military history It is part of the structure of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense, has indoor areas of 5 thousand square meters, and the open-air exhibition occupies 40 thousand square meters. One of the 3 very first museums - created in 1916. Artillery guns, rockets, tanks, and airplanes are on display.

The museum's galleries contain collections of weapons of Prince Alexander I of Battenberg (1879-1886), Prince Ferdinand I (1887-1918) and Tsar Boris III (1918-1943), as well as display cases of awards, distinctions, banners and military uniforms. Opening hours: from 10 to 18 hours on all days from Wednesday to Sunday. Cost of visiting: children under 7 years old - free. Students and pensioners – 2 BGN.

National Palace of Culture

The palace, recognized as the best in the world (2005 - nomination “Best Congress Center”), occupies a huge area: 15 thousand sq.m. There are 15 halls and 50 other premises, including restaurants, auctions, and exhibition galleries. Hall One hosted Herbert von Karajan, Jose Carreras, Ricardo Mutti, Yuri Bashmet, Emir Kusturica, Montserrat Caballe and others.

The National Palace of Culture can accommodate 8 thousand people at a time. Metal-plastic is used in the halls and exterior decoration; the interiors are richly decorated with stucco, wood carvings, tapestries, wall paintings and sculptures. A luxurious park area overlooking Mount Vitosha attracts vacationers day and night. The café tents are cool at night, thanks to the light and music fountains.

Banya-Bashi Mosque

One of the oldest mosques in Europe, the main religious building of Sofia Muslims. Built at the end of the 16th century above the exit thermal waters in the center of Sofia (the word “banya” translates as font). The ablution pool in the courtyard is in working order and is still steaming. Otherwise, Banya-Bashi is a classic mosque: a lead dome covers a square structure, with a minaret-tower and six small domes along the walls adjacent to the left and right of the minaret.

The main hall is decorated with colorful tiles and suras from the Koran. They are written in gilded script on a turquoise background. Accommodates 700 worshipers. The second floor is for women. Namaz (prayer services) are performed multiple times, starting at dawn and ending at midnight. Shoes are removed before entering. Tourists are offered bathrobes. Donations are free.

Park Borisova Gradina

30 hectares of green spaces, flower beds and lawns with Lake Maria Louise in the center are the fruit of imagination and painstaking work of Bulgarian and invited gardeners. Created in 1894. Includes two main alleys, a cycle track, tennis courts, a boat station and a horse rental facility.

The style is English, but Japanese motifs are also used in the park. There is a pond overgrown with lotuses and a greenhouse-rose garden with 1,500 varieties of roses. Tsar Boris Park is a favorite vacation spot for city residents. Several cafes offer delicious food, so you can go for the whole day. Free admission.

Bulgarian National Opera and Ballet Theater

Created in 1890, the opera troupe became a full-fledged theater in the 1920s with a repertoire consisting of works by Italian, Czech and Russian composers. Short name: Sofia Opera. “Pagliacci” by Leonkavalo, the first Bulgarian opera works are enjoying success: “The Beggar Woman” by Emanuil Manolov, “Alexander” by Georgiy Atanasov, “Tahir Begovitsa” by Kizi Hadzhigeorgiev.

The flourishing of the Bulgarian ballet school began with Andrei Petrov's production of Copelia (1928). The successfully established ensemble of choir, orchestra, set designers, costume designers and dancers of the National Opera and Ballet Theater of Bulgaria makes it possible to stage productions of any level. The theater often tours and receives guests. The pompous theater building with 948 seats (in the main hall) was commissioned in 1953. Entrance to the evening performance at 19 o'clock - from 15 levs, for the daytime children's performance (at 10 or 11 o'clock) - from 10 levs.

Hagia Sophia statue

The 26-meter statue, erected between the Orthodox Church, the synagogue and the Catholic Church, which disappeared from the face of the earth as a result of Anglo-American bombing, stands on the site of the now defunct medieval Western Gate. Residents of the capital of Bulgaria also revere this place in memory of the bookseller Kiro Geoshev, the defender of Sofia who was tortured by the Ottomans. Address - st. Trapezitsa, 4-a.

The gilded monument is dedicated to the city, its independent path of development and is not a statue of St. Sofia, which the author, sculptor Georgy Chepkenov, has repeatedly drawn attention to. The gaze is directed to the Palace of the National Assembly. The head is crowned with the crown of the ancient Greek fate of the Night, and a wise owl takes off from the hand. Until 1991, the site was occupied by a monument to Lenin, which was demolished as a result of “decommunization.”

Monument to the Tsar Liberator

An equestrian statue of Russian Tsar Alexander II stands on a granite pedestal. Made in bronze - as a tribute to the gratitude of the Bulgarians for the overthrow of the Turkish yoke in 1878. The bronze wreath in front of the monument is a gift from Romania. The opening of the monument took place in the presence of Prince Ferdinand I and the son of Alexander II - Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich Romanov on August 30, 1907.

The statue and the multi-figured massive cornice were cast under the direction of the Florentine sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi. This is one of his best works. The height of the monument is 12 m. The statue is located on the square in front of the Palace of the National Assembly.

Boyana waterfall

The 16-meter column of water jets and splashes is the flight of the Boyana River falling into the lake of the same name. The waterfall can be seen in spring from the adjacent area of ​​Sofia, named after the river. Three paths along the 5-kilometer path lead to the miraculous miracle: one along the riverbed, the other along the lake, and the third begins at the Boyana Church.

The frozen mass of water from the waterfall looks spectacular in winter: it seems to have frozen in mid-flight in the frost. Sparkling stalactites of water are located in close proximity to the small mountain hotel. All three trails pass through mostly flat terrain, but at the end there are very steep descents.

Vitosha mountain range

Mount Cerny Vrah (2290 m) is covered with snow until the end of April. Skiers dominate its slopes 150 days a year. 56% of the paved trails are of amateur level. Only 12% are extreme. In summer, hiking starts to the most high mountain and the two-thousand-meter peaks that lie adjacent to it.

Tourist development of Black Peak began quite recently - in 1895. Over the course of a century, the Vitosha massif has acquired a developed infrastructure: numerous mountaineering trails and cycling routes have been established, bases and campsites have been built. The funicular lifts from Aleko station (1810 m). For 4 leva you can exchange the 30-degree heat of May for the cool atmosphere of alpine meadows. There in the shade - plus 10° C.

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Sofia (Bulgaria) is not only the most big city country, but also its capital. A large number of tourists visit the local attractions every year. Travelers are attracted to this city beautiful architecture historical buildings, harmoniously combined with modern infrastructure.

Sofia (Bulgaria) is considered cultural center states. The population here is more than one and a half million. Moreover, the city has about 20 educational institutions giving higher education. The capital's Opera House, which was founded at the end of the 19th century, is famous throughout the world. Those who are interested in Bulgaria will not leave Sofia indifferent, because in this city you can get acquainted with the culture and traditions of the local population.

In the capital, travelers can visit the Philharmonic and enjoy the sounds of classical music at the conservatory. In addition, tourists are recommended to visit local museums. One of the largest is Historical. Also interesting are the exhibitions in the Ethnographic, Archaeological, and Zoological Museums.

The location of the city of Sofia (Bulgaria) is amazing. Photos of the capital show the beauty of not only the local architecture, but also the nature spread around.

The metropolis is located at the foot of Mount Vitosha, the slopes of which were turned into

There are also quite a lot of parks and squares in the city itself. Green lovers will be delighted with the local vegetation.

The Church of St. Sophia is considered one of the most ancient buildings in the capital.

It dates back to the 5th-6th centuries, and is considered the hallmark of the modern city. All travelers first of all go on an excursion to this temple.

The Church of St. George is also of interest to tourists. The unique atmosphere and beautiful paintings and frescoes will appeal to almost all travelers interested in the city. There are also Turkish mosques, the walls of which are several centuries old.

The most beautiful boulevard is Vitosha Boulevard, which starts near cathedral. Past numerous shopping galleries, it stretches directly to the Square of the Palace of Culture. The city of Sofia (Bulgaria) is considered one of the most beautiful European cities. Tourists are recommended to visit a quarter on the southwestern outskirts called Boyana. It adjoins directly to the foot of Vitosha and is home to a small church that is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The wall paintings here date back to the 13th century.

The mountain itself is a great place for winter holiday. It has hotels with developed infrastructure, ski lifts, observation decks. After the onset of the season, this area is quite lively. Tourists come to Vitosha from all over the world.

Sofia (Bulgaria) attracts a huge number of travelers every year. And not in vain, because all conditions have been created here for cultural recreation, walks around the most beautiful places and getting to know the history of the country. In the city you can find a huge number of monuments of church and historical architecture.