What to see in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Part I

Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, with 1.3  million of inhabitants (1.7 million in the metropolitan area) is the largest city of the country. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Bulgaria alongside coastal and mountain ski resorts.

Sofia, Bulgaria
Located at the foothills of Vitosha mountain, Sofia is authentic, worthy of knowing, like many other capitals of Eastern Europe it’s a city full of contrasts -  you can still feel the Soviet air of its historical past in the decadent ostentation of its monuments and architecture that transports you to other times.

Former Headquarters of the Bulgarian Communist Party


Historical monument
Knowing the character of its people, discovering its markets, its gastronomy, its parks are some of the things you can do in Sofia, it is also a great unknown, little visited and gives you the advantage of walking through its streets without many tourists , a luxury that many European capitals can not afford.

The architecture of the different tribes, empires, nations that dominated Sofia is an example of the millenary history of the city, with buildings of Ottoman style, Russian orthodox or of its socialist period.

 The  “St. Alexander Nevsky” Cathedral


“St. Alexander Nevsky” Cathedral, Panoramic View

This orthodox temple, completed in the late 19th century  in neo-Byzantine style, is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Its characteristic shapes have made it one of the best known images of the city. And it’s really photogenic, since the perimeter surrounding the cathedral is free of buildings and there is no much traffic.

“St. Alexander Nevsky” Cathedral

It stands out for the beautiful exterior, with its famous golden and green domes rising to 52m at its highest point. In addition, its interior, decorated with huge frescoes and dozens of orthodox icons,  is no less spectacular as all Orthodox churches have a very particular atmosphere, impressive domes, little light, candles, incense etc.

The Russian Church

The Russian Church

The Church of St. Nicholas "the miraculous", better known as the Russian Church, was consecrated in 1914 and its building included a good part of the team that had worked in the cathedral. It stands out for its golden domes. This  colorful and charming Russian Orthodox temple built in honor of the Tsar of the time: Nicholas II. This total or partial role of the Russians in the Bulgarian constructions, was very frequent after the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), in which Bulgaria was liberated from the Ottoman occupation with the support of the Russian Empire.

The "Ivan Vazov" National Theater

"Ivan Vazov" National Theater
The "Ivan Vazov" National Theater, the largest and oldest theater in the country, is one of the main cultural centers of Sofia. Its name honours the Bulgarian poet, novelist and playwright Iván Vazov, considered one of the best writers in Bulgarian language.

A true icon of Sofia's architecture, it was built in 1906 by two French architects who designed it as an example of the neoclassical style. This unique building has a colonnade whose capitals support a frieze with mythological motifs. Some of the distinctive features of the building which one of the jewels of Bulgarian art,  is the goddess Nike represented in the sculptures that top the sides and the two towers that crown the building.




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