Guidebook for Sofia
Sightseeing
"Serdika is my Rome" Alexander The Great
This charming round red brick church dates back to the 4th century, although it did not become a church till the 6th century. It is Sofia's oldest preserved building. Having undergone major restoration work, it was reopened to the public in 1998 for the first time in 70 years. Three layers of frescoes can still be seen, the oldest dating back to the 10th century illustrating the development of monumental painting through to the 14th century. Nowadays it often hosts small art exhibitions.
Services are held daily at 8.00; 17.00 and 21.00. The excellent website has a section called 'chants' where you can listen to recordings of Old Church Slavonic chants.
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The Rotunda Church of St George
2 bul. Kniaz Aleksandar Dondukov "Serdika is my Rome" Alexander The Great
This charming round red brick church dates back to the 4th century, although it did not become a church till the 6th century. It is Sofia's oldest preserved building. Having undergone major restoration work, it was reopened to the public in 1998 for the first time in 70 years. Three layers of frescoes can still be seen, the oldest dating back to the 10th century illustrating the development of monumental painting through to the 14th century. Nowadays it often hosts small art exhibitions.
Services are held daily at 8.00; 17.00 and 21.00. The excellent website has a section called 'chants' where you can listen to recordings of Old Church Slavonic chants.
The Saint Sofia Church is the second oldest church in Sofia dating to the 6th century. In the predecessor building took place the Council of Serdica held most probably in 343 and attended by 316 bishops. In the 14th century, the church gave its name to the city, previously known as Sredets.
The church of St. Sofia was built on the place of the necropolis of the city of Serdika (the old name of Sofia) and other older churches from the 4th century and dozens of masonry tombs. Fragments of the mosaic of one of the older temples were found during archaeological excavations. It is considered that the building can house up to 5 thousand people.
During the period of the 11th – 14th century it was a metropolitan church and its glory was so great that in the 14th century it gave its name to the city.
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St. Sophia Church
2 ul. "Paris"The Saint Sofia Church is the second oldest church in Sofia dating to the 6th century. In the predecessor building took place the Council of Serdica held most probably in 343 and attended by 316 bishops. In the 14th century, the church gave its name to the city, previously known as Sredets.
The church of St. Sofia was built on the place of the necropolis of the city of Serdika (the old name of Sofia) and other older churches from the 4th century and dozens of masonry tombs. Fragments of the mosaic of one of the older temples were found during archaeological excavations. It is considered that the building can house up to 5 thousand people.
During the period of the 11th – 14th century it was a metropolitan church and its glory was so great that in the 14th century it gave its name to the city.
This is a small building partially dug into the ground located in the very centre of both the modern and the antique city, in the TZUM subway. The church features a semi-cylindrical vault, a hemispherical apse, and a crypt discovered during excavations after the Second World War. The walls are 1 m thick and made from brick and stone.
The church was first mentioned in the 16th century and was constructed at the place of a former Roman religious building.
The church is dedicated to St Petka, an 11th-century Bulgarian saint. The Church of Saint Petka acquired its present name due to it being a patron of the saddlers in the Middle Ages, who performed their rituals in the church.
There is a hypothesis, that the revolutionary Vasil Levski (1837 – 1873) was re-buried in the temple. This hypothesis has not yet been confirmed, but to the present day many people believe that the remains of the great Bulgarian are laid there.
The temple is operational. Its memorial day is celebrated on 28 October – the day of St. Petka.
The church was declared a cultural monument in 1955.
It is today a monument of culture known for its mural paintings from the 14th, 15th, 17th and 19th century depicting biblical scenes.
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Sveta Petka
This is a small building partially dug into the ground located in the very centre of both the modern and the antique city, in the TZUM subway. The church features a semi-cylindrical vault, a hemispherical apse, and a crypt discovered during excavations after the Second World War. The walls are 1 m thick and made from brick and stone.
The church was first mentioned in the 16th century and was constructed at the place of a former Roman religious building.
The church is dedicated to St Petka, an 11th-century Bulgarian saint. The Church of Saint Petka acquired its present name due to it being a patron of the saddlers in the Middle Ages, who performed their rituals in the church.
There is a hypothesis, that the revolutionary Vasil Levski (1837 – 1873) was re-buried in the temple. This hypothesis has not yet been confirmed, but to the present day many people believe that the remains of the great Bulgarian are laid there.
The temple is operational. Its memorial day is celebrated on 28 October – the day of St. Petka.
The church was declared a cultural monument in 1955.
It is today a monument of culture known for its mural paintings from the 14th, 15th, 17th and 19th century depicting biblical scenes.
The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in the early 20th century in memory of the 200,000 Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Bulgarian soldiers, who died in the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878. It is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. The cathedral’s gold-plated dome is 53 m high, with the bell tower reaching 50.52 m.
NEW
It serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and primary tourist attractions. The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia occupies an area of 3,170 square metres (34,100 sq ft) and can hold 10,000 people inside. It is the second-largest cathedral located on the Balkan Peninsula, after the Cathedral of Saint Sava in Belgrade
The construction of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral started in 1882, when the foundation stone was laid, but most of it was built between 1904 and 1912.It is named after Saint Alexander Nevsky was the Prince of Novgorod, Grand Prince of Kiev and Grand Prince of Vladimir during some of the most trying times in the city’s history. He was proclaimed Saint of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1547.
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St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
ploshtad "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski"The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in the early 20th century in memory of the 200,000 Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Bulgarian soldiers, who died in the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878. It is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. The cathedral’s gold-plated dome is 53 m high, with the bell tower reaching 50.52 m.
NEW
It serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and primary tourist attractions. The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia occupies an area of 3,170 square metres (34,100 sq ft) and can hold 10,000 people inside. It is the second-largest cathedral located on the Balkan Peninsula, after the Cathedral of Saint Sava in Belgrade
The construction of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral started in 1882, when the foundation stone was laid, but most of it was built between 1904 and 1912.It is named after Saint Alexander Nevsky was the Prince of Novgorod, Grand Prince of Kiev and Grand Prince of Vladimir during some of the most trying times in the city’s history. He was proclaimed Saint of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1547.
Vitosha Boulevard is the main commercial street in the centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, which is abundant in posh stores, restaurants and bars. It extends from the St Nedelya Square to the Southern Park. Many high-end fashion labels have outlets on Vitosha boulevard and the neighbouring streets: Among the notable buildings, located on the boulevard are: The National Palace of Culture, The Palace of the Courts. The corner of Vitosha and Patriarch Eftimii boulevards, so called the Pharmacy , is a popular place for meetings.
The boulevard is named after Vitosha, the mountain just next to Sofia. It was an unadjusted street during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria and acquired the name Vitoshka ulitsa (“Vitosha Street”) after the Liberation, in 1883.
The street was initially built up with low one-storey houses, but turned into an imposing trade street in the Interwar period as massive public buildings were constructed, changing Vitoshka’s appearance completely.
In March 2013, reconstruction works on the boulevard have started.
In the summer of 2015 there was another renovation of the boulevard completing the entirely pedestrian zone of the boulevard between Patriarh Evtimii Blvd. and Alabin Str.
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bulevard "Vitosha"
bulevard "Vitosha"Vitosha Boulevard is the main commercial street in the centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, which is abundant in posh stores, restaurants and bars. It extends from the St Nedelya Square to the Southern Park. Many high-end fashion labels have outlets on Vitosha boulevard and the neighbouring streets: Among the notable buildings, located on the boulevard are: The National Palace of Culture, The Palace of the Courts. The corner of Vitosha and Patriarch Eftimii boulevards, so called the Pharmacy , is a popular place for meetings.
The boulevard is named after Vitosha, the mountain just next to Sofia. It was an unadjusted street during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria and acquired the name Vitoshka ulitsa (“Vitosha Street”) after the Liberation, in 1883.
The street was initially built up with low one-storey houses, but turned into an imposing trade street in the Interwar period as massive public buildings were constructed, changing Vitoshka’s appearance completely.
In March 2013, reconstruction works on the boulevard have started.
In the summer of 2015 there was another renovation of the boulevard completing the entirely pedestrian zone of the boulevard between Patriarh Evtimii Blvd. and Alabin Str.
The Saint Archbishop Seraphim built in 1914 is dedicated to the patron-saint of the Russian Tsar at the time Nicholas II.
The church was built on the site of a Mosque, which was destroyed in 1882, after the liberation of Bulgaria by Russia from the Ottoman Empire. It was built as the official church of the Russian Embassy, which was located next door, and of the Russian community in Sofia, and was named, as was the tradition for diplomatic churches, for the patron saint of the Emperor who ruled Russia at the time, Nicholas II of Russia.
The five domes are coated with gold. The bells were donated by Emperor Nicholas II.
Construction began in 1907 and the church was consecrated in 1914. The church remained open after the Russian revolution and during the Communist period in Bulgaria (1944–1989), though priests and church-goers were carefully watched by the State Security police.
The exterior was recently restored by the Russian government. The interior murals unfortunately are darkened by smoke from candles and from time, and are in need of restoration.
The crypt housing the remains of Saint Archbishop Seraphim is located beneath the Russian Church’s main floor. Dozens of people still visit the grave of the archbishop, who died in 1950, praying and leaving notes asking for wishes to be granted.
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Russian Church "Sveti Nikolay Mirlikiiski"
3 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"The Saint Archbishop Seraphim built in 1914 is dedicated to the patron-saint of the Russian Tsar at the time Nicholas II.
The church was built on the site of a Mosque, which was destroyed in 1882, after the liberation of Bulgaria by Russia from the Ottoman Empire. It was built as the official church of the Russian Embassy, which was located next door, and of the Russian community in Sofia, and was named, as was the tradition for diplomatic churches, for the patron saint of the Emperor who ruled Russia at the time, Nicholas II of Russia.
The five domes are coated with gold. The bells were donated by Emperor Nicholas II.
Construction began in 1907 and the church was consecrated in 1914. The church remained open after the Russian revolution and during the Communist period in Bulgaria (1944–1989), though priests and church-goers were carefully watched by the State Security police.
The exterior was recently restored by the Russian government. The interior murals unfortunately are darkened by smoke from candles and from time, and are in need of restoration.
The crypt housing the remains of Saint Archbishop Seraphim is located beneath the Russian Church’s main floor. Dozens of people still visit the grave of the archbishop, who died in 1950, praying and leaving notes asking for wishes to be granted.
Shopping
The Central Sofia Market Hall is a covered market in the center of Sofia city, on Maria Louise Blvd. also known as Halite . It was opened back in 1911 and today is an one of the strategic shopping locations in the city.
The style is Neo-Renaissance, and features elements of Neo-Byzantine as well as Neo-Baroque architecture. Interesting features on the facade include the relief of the coat of arms of Sofia above the main entrance and the famous small clock tower with three dials on top of the edifice. The building was originally constructed with 4 entrances, only 3 are used today.
The building was designed by architect Naum Torbov in ‘Renaissance’ style, combined with traditional elements of the Hellenistic tectonics. Above the main entrance, in an arched area, is depicted the coat of arms of the city by the artist Haralambi Tachev. Above it, in an arched turret, was mounted a clock with a triple clock-face. The building is the work of the distinguished craftsman from Kostur (which today is the greek city Kastoria) – Tarpo Kiselinchev, who was among the most prominent artificers – builders of the Ottoman Empire. His son, Georgi, also became a good builder and participated in the construction of the “Market Hall” and the Central Mineral Baths in Sofia. Works of the Kostur construction fellowship are also the tiling of the “St. Alexander Nevsky” church, the American College and others. In 1988, the “Market Hall” was closed for reconstruction and renewal, which, due to the political changes and the change of municipal authorities went through many ups and downs.
On May 30th 2000, the building of the “Market Hall”, following an internal architectural reconstruction, was once again opened. Today, the three-stores commercial bazaar houses 169 stores and 1,000 employees. On the basement floor are preserved and exposed archaeological remains from the Roman times, of the old city of Serdica. According to archaeologists, on the very same site was situated the Thracian “Sanctuary of the Nymphs”, built around one of the many mineral springs.
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Sofia's Central Market Hall
25 булевард „кн. Мария Луиза“The Central Sofia Market Hall is a covered market in the center of Sofia city, on Maria Louise Blvd. also known as Halite . It was opened back in 1911 and today is an one of the strategic shopping locations in the city.
The style is Neo-Renaissance, and features elements of Neo-Byzantine as well as Neo-Baroque architecture. Interesting features on the facade include the relief of the coat of arms of Sofia above the main entrance and the famous small clock tower with three dials on top of the edifice. The building was originally constructed with 4 entrances, only 3 are used today.
The building was designed by architect Naum Torbov in ‘Renaissance’ style, combined with traditional elements of the Hellenistic tectonics. Above the main entrance, in an arched area, is depicted the coat of arms of the city by the artist Haralambi Tachev. Above it, in an arched turret, was mounted a clock with a triple clock-face. The building is the work of the distinguished craftsman from Kostur (which today is the greek city Kastoria) – Tarpo Kiselinchev, who was among the most prominent artificers – builders of the Ottoman Empire. His son, Georgi, also became a good builder and participated in the construction of the “Market Hall” and the Central Mineral Baths in Sofia. Works of the Kostur construction fellowship are also the tiling of the “St. Alexander Nevsky” church, the American College and others. In 1988, the “Market Hall” was closed for reconstruction and renewal, which, due to the political changes and the change of municipal authorities went through many ups and downs.
On May 30th 2000, the building of the “Market Hall”, following an internal architectural reconstruction, was once again opened. Today, the three-stores commercial bazaar houses 169 stores and 1,000 employees. On the basement floor are preserved and exposed archaeological remains from the Roman times, of the old city of Serdica. According to archaeologists, on the very same site was situated the Thracian “Sanctuary of the Nymphs”, built around one of the many mineral springs.
Mall of Sofia
101 A bul. "Aleksandar Stamboliyski"You could to find the Mall 15 min walking by studio
Arts & Culture
It was opened in 1981 in celebration of Bulgaria’s 1300th anniversary. Its halls are well designed and equipped with comfortable seats. Many world famous singers, musicians and dancers have performed here over the years
The centre was initiated by a suggestion of Lyudmila Zhivkova, daughter of the communist leader of the former People’s Republic of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov). Internally, the building has a unified style, employing an octagonal motif and heavy, dark colours. Large bright murals depicting historical figures and events cover the main wall of many of the smaller halls.
In July 2005, the National Palace of Culture was proclaimed the best congress centre in the world for the year by the International Organization of Congress Centres.
It has an area of 123,000 m² on eight floors and three underground levels. The National Palace of Culture has 13 halls and 15,000 m² of exhibition area, a trade centre and a car park. The main hall can seat over 3,000 people.
Sofia International Film Festival, an annual film festival takes place here.
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Park National Palace of Culture
Bulevard "Bulgaria"It was opened in 1981 in celebration of Bulgaria’s 1300th anniversary. Its halls are well designed and equipped with comfortable seats. Many world famous singers, musicians and dancers have performed here over the years
The centre was initiated by a suggestion of Lyudmila Zhivkova, daughter of the communist leader of the former People’s Republic of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov). Internally, the building has a unified style, employing an octagonal motif and heavy, dark colours. Large bright murals depicting historical figures and events cover the main wall of many of the smaller halls.
In July 2005, the National Palace of Culture was proclaimed the best congress centre in the world for the year by the International Organization of Congress Centres.
It has an area of 123,000 m² on eight floors and three underground levels. The National Palace of Culture has 13 halls and 15,000 m² of exhibition area, a trade centre and a car park. The main hall can seat over 3,000 people.
Sofia International Film Festival, an annual film festival takes place here.
The National Art Gallery is Bulgaria’s national gallery and houses over 50,000 pieces of Bulgarian art. It is located on Battenberg Square occupying most of the historic and imposing edifice of the former royal palace of Bulgaria, having been established in 1934 and moved to the palace in 1946, after the abolition of the monarchy.
After September 09, 1944 the palace served as headquarters of the Council of Ministers and as a residence of the new members of the government. The section now occupied by the expositions of the National Gallery of Art was used as a training center for the members of the Communist Party. The interior was redesigned and lost its authentic look. By virtue of a decree by the Council of Ministers of 1953, the building was placed in the custody of the National Gallery of Art and the Museum of Ethnography, which used it for administrative purposes as well as for staging various exhibitions.
The medieval art department was formed in 1965 and occupies the crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. In 1985 the foreign art section became independent as the National Gallery for Foreign Art and was moved to the former Royal Printing Office, an imposing Neoclassical building in Sofia.
The National Art Gallery houses not only examples of contemporary and National Revival art, but also the country’s largest collection of medieval paintings, including more than four thousand icons, a collection comparable in quality and number only to that of the Benaki Museum.
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National Art Gallery
1 пл. „Княз Александър I“The National Art Gallery is Bulgaria’s national gallery and houses over 50,000 pieces of Bulgarian art. It is located on Battenberg Square occupying most of the historic and imposing edifice of the former royal palace of Bulgaria, having been established in 1934 and moved to the palace in 1946, after the abolition of the monarchy.
After September 09, 1944 the palace served as headquarters of the Council of Ministers and as a residence of the new members of the government. The section now occupied by the expositions of the National Gallery of Art was used as a training center for the members of the Communist Party. The interior was redesigned and lost its authentic look. By virtue of a decree by the Council of Ministers of 1953, the building was placed in the custody of the National Gallery of Art and the Museum of Ethnography, which used it for administrative purposes as well as for staging various exhibitions.
The medieval art department was formed in 1965 and occupies the crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. In 1985 the foreign art section became independent as the National Gallery for Foreign Art and was moved to the former Royal Printing Office, an imposing Neoclassical building in Sofia.
The National Art Gallery houses not only examples of contemporary and National Revival art, but also the country’s largest collection of medieval paintings, including more than four thousand icons, a collection comparable in quality and number only to that of the Benaki Museum.
Everything Else
Located just 10 km from downtown Sofia, at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, Boyana church is a glittering art gallery. At present Boyana Church consists of three connected buildings – from the 11th, 13th and 19th centuries. Only the first two churches, built in the middle Ages, posses significant artistic and architectural value.
The Boyana Church was built in three stages: in the late 10th to early 11th, the mid-13th, and the mid-19th centuries. The oldest section (the eastern church) was built in the late 10th or the early 11th century.
The second section, which adjoins the eastern church, was commissioned by Sebastocrator Kaloyan and his wife Dessislava and in the mid-13th century. This building belongs to the two-floor tomb-church type. It consists of a ground-floor family sepulchre with a semi-cylindrical vault and two arcosolia on the north and south walls, and an upper-floor family chapel identical in design to the eastern church. The exterior is decorated with ceramic ornaments.
The last section was built with donations from the local community in the mid-19th century. The church was closed to the public in 1954 in order to be conserved and restored. It was only partially reopened in 2006.
Besides the first layer of 11th-12th-century frescoes, of which only fragments are preserved, and the famous second layer of murals from 1259, the church also has a smaller number of later frescoes from the 14th and 16th-17th centuries, as well as from 1882. The frescoes were restored and cleaned in 1912-1915 by an Austrian and a Bulgarian specialist, and again in 1934 and 1944.
The church owes its world fame mainly to its frescoes from 1259. They form a second layer over the paintings from earlier centuries and represent one of the most complete and well-preserved monuments of mediaeval art in the Balkans. The majority of the more than 240 figures depicted here display individuality, remarkable psychological insight and vitality.
Eighteen scenes depict the life of Saint Nicholas. The painter here drew certain aspects of contemporary lifestyle. In The Miracle at Sea, the ship and the sailors’ hats recall the Venetian fleet. The portraits of the patrons of the church — Sebastocrator Kaloyan and his wife Dessislava, as well as those of Bulgarian tsar Constantine Tikh and Tsaritsa Irina, are thought to be among the most impressive and lifelike frescoes in the church, and are located on the north wall of the church.
Authorship
Today the name “Boyana Master” stands for the team of unknown artists who decorated the church and mastered their art in the studios of the Turnovo School of Painting. Boyana is the only and the most impressive wholly preserved monument of the Turnovo School of Painting from the 13th century. The world famous frescoes in the Boyana Church played an important role in the development of mediaeval Bulgarian and European painting.
The frescoes, dated to 13th c AD (1239) are among the finest achievements of European Medieval Art. Some scholars compare the frescoes in Boyana church to the works of Giotto, who is known to be the first of the great Italian masters of the 13th c, predecessor of the Italian Renaissance.
Boyana Church was inscribed in UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage in 1979.
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Boyana Church Museum
3 ul. "Boyansko ezero"Located just 10 km from downtown Sofia, at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, Boyana church is a glittering art gallery. At present Boyana Church consists of three connected buildings – from the 11th, 13th and 19th centuries. Only the first two churches, built in the middle Ages, posses significant artistic and architectural value.
The Boyana Church was built in three stages: in the late 10th to early 11th, the mid-13th, and the mid-19th centuries. The oldest section (the eastern church) was built in the late 10th or the early 11th century.
The second section, which adjoins the eastern church, was commissioned by Sebastocrator Kaloyan and his wife Dessislava and in the mid-13th century. This building belongs to the two-floor tomb-church type. It consists of a ground-floor family sepulchre with a semi-cylindrical vault and two arcosolia on the north and south walls, and an upper-floor family chapel identical in design to the eastern church. The exterior is decorated with ceramic ornaments.
The last section was built with donations from the local community in the mid-19th century. The church was closed to the public in 1954 in order to be conserved and restored. It was only partially reopened in 2006.
Besides the first layer of 11th-12th-century frescoes, of which only fragments are preserved, and the famous second layer of murals from 1259, the church also has a smaller number of later frescoes from the 14th and 16th-17th centuries, as well as from 1882. The frescoes were restored and cleaned in 1912-1915 by an Austrian and a Bulgarian specialist, and again in 1934 and 1944.
The church owes its world fame mainly to its frescoes from 1259. They form a second layer over the paintings from earlier centuries and represent one of the most complete and well-preserved monuments of mediaeval art in the Balkans. The majority of the more than 240 figures depicted here display individuality, remarkable psychological insight and vitality.
Eighteen scenes depict the life of Saint Nicholas. The painter here drew certain aspects of contemporary lifestyle. In The Miracle at Sea, the ship and the sailors’ hats recall the Venetian fleet. The portraits of the patrons of the church — Sebastocrator Kaloyan and his wife Dessislava, as well as those of Bulgarian tsar Constantine Tikh and Tsaritsa Irina, are thought to be among the most impressive and lifelike frescoes in the church, and are located on the north wall of the church.
Authorship
Today the name “Boyana Master” stands for the team of unknown artists who decorated the church and mastered their art in the studios of the Turnovo School of Painting. Boyana is the only and the most impressive wholly preserved monument of the Turnovo School of Painting from the 13th century. The world famous frescoes in the Boyana Church played an important role in the development of mediaeval Bulgarian and European painting.
The frescoes, dated to 13th c AD (1239) are among the finest achievements of European Medieval Art. Some scholars compare the frescoes in Boyana church to the works of Giotto, who is known to be the first of the great Italian masters of the 13th c, predecessor of the Italian Renaissance.
Boyana Church was inscribed in UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage in 1979.
The city of Sofia was established next to some tracian mineral water springs. Today these mineral springs are located next to the Central bath (Tsentralna banya), Banya Bashi Mosque and TZUM Shopping mall. A new construction lets the water flow and people can drink or take some mineral water at home absolutly free of charge.
Sofia is uniqe by having 42 mineral springs with 8 different hydro-trermal zones with a temperature of 30 to 90 degrees Celsius. With the water flowing at 480 liters per second. Sofia mineral springs are deep under the ground, they are clean and can not be poluted.
Mineral water
The city of Sofia was established next to some tracian mineral water springs. Today these mineral springs are located next to the Central bath (Tsentralna banya), Banya Bashi Mosque and TZUM Shopping mall. A new construction lets the water flow and people can drink or take some mineral water at home absolutly free of charge.
Sofia is uniqe by having 42 mineral springs with 8 different hydro-trermal zones with a temperature of 30 to 90 degrees Celsius. With the water flowing at 480 liters per second. Sofia mineral springs are deep under the ground, they are clean and can not be poluted.
Food Scene
Bakery "The Art of Love"
48 bul. "Hristo Smirnenski"Pod Lipite
1 ulitsa "Elin Pelin"National Bulgarians kitchen
Kenar Kulinar
15 ul. "Dimitar Petkov"Parks & Nature
Sofia is probably the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center. Vitosha is a ski resort (though a bit underdeveloped), nice hiking place and gives you a great panorama view of the city. The city is also one of the highest capitals in Europe. So the question inevitably pops up – ‘How to get to Vitosha mountain?’. Here are some options.
SKI RESORT AND LIFTS CURRENTLY DO NOT WORK
WALKING + HIKING – This is actually how organized tourism in Sofia started. In 1895 the famous Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov managed to convince around 300 people to leave the ‘dusty streets’ and ‘stuffy cafes’ of Sofia and get a refreshing walk from the city centre to the top of the mountain – Cherni Vrah (Black Peak) at 2290 m above sea level. In front of the National Theatre there’s a stone that marks the starting point of this interesting journey. However, if you prefer to start in the foothills of the mountain or go straight to the top, here are some other ideas:
SKI RESORT AND LIFTS CURRENTLY DO NOT WORK
BUS + LIFT / HIKING – In order to get to the hiking paths near Boyana church or any of the lifts going up the mountain, you would have to switch two buses. First, you have to take bus 9TM from the National Palace of Culture and get of at the last stop Hladilnika. Here’s a good map with the routes of the buses in Sofia to get an idea where to get what. Then you have five options:
Bus 66 would take you to Aleko area which is just below the highest peak of the mountain. This is as high as you can get with public transport. This bus is a bit more expensive because it’s not part of the city network. That’s also why it’s so hard to find on any information places :) Fortunately our friend Patrick wrote a really useful article about it.
Bus 64 to nearby Boyana Church and you can choose the hiking paths to Boyana Lake or Boyana Waterfall, for example. You can also join the free hiking tour that’s organized by our friends at Sofia Green Tour.
Bus 122 to Simeonovo gondola lift. During the summer it works only on weekends. 8BGN return ticket. From the last stop you can also take another chair lift to almost the top of the mountain. Make sure you come back in time for the last ride down (around 16:30).
Bus 93 to Dragalevtsi chair lift. During the summer it works only on weekends. 7BGN return ticket.
Bus 98 to Jeleznica village on the other side of the mountain. Less popular hiking paths.
There’s also the free bus to Zlatnite Mostove which leaves from the center and would operate throughout the summer.
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Vitosha Ski Resort
Sofia is probably the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center. Vitosha is a ski resort (though a bit underdeveloped), nice hiking place and gives you a great panorama view of the city. The city is also one of the highest capitals in Europe. So the question inevitably pops up – ‘How to get to Vitosha mountain?’. Here are some options.
SKI RESORT AND LIFTS CURRENTLY DO NOT WORK
WALKING + HIKING – This is actually how organized tourism in Sofia started. In 1895 the famous Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov managed to convince around 300 people to leave the ‘dusty streets’ and ‘stuffy cafes’ of Sofia and get a refreshing walk from the city centre to the top of the mountain – Cherni Vrah (Black Peak) at 2290 m above sea level. In front of the National Theatre there’s a stone that marks the starting point of this interesting journey. However, if you prefer to start in the foothills of the mountain or go straight to the top, here are some other ideas:
SKI RESORT AND LIFTS CURRENTLY DO NOT WORK
BUS + LIFT / HIKING – In order to get to the hiking paths near Boyana church or any of the lifts going up the mountain, you would have to switch two buses. First, you have to take bus 9TM from the National Palace of Culture and get of at the last stop Hladilnika. Here’s a good map with the routes of the buses in Sofia to get an idea where to get what. Then you have five options:
Bus 66 would take you to Aleko area which is just below the highest peak of the mountain. This is as high as you can get with public transport. This bus is a bit more expensive because it’s not part of the city network. That’s also why it’s so hard to find on any information places :) Fortunately our friend Patrick wrote a really useful article about it.
Bus 64 to nearby Boyana Church and you can choose the hiking paths to Boyana Lake or Boyana Waterfall, for example. You can also join the free hiking tour that’s organized by our friends at Sofia Green Tour.
Bus 122 to Simeonovo gondola lift. During the summer it works only on weekends. 8BGN return ticket. From the last stop you can also take another chair lift to almost the top of the mountain. Make sure you come back in time for the last ride down (around 16:30).
Bus 93 to Dragalevtsi chair lift. During the summer it works only on weekends. 7BGN return ticket.
Bus 98 to Jeleznica village on the other side of the mountain. Less popular hiking paths.
There’s also the free bus to Zlatnite Mostove which leaves from the center and would operate throughout the summer.