Sofia in the Sofia Valley

The capital of the southeast European country of Bulgaria is the largest city in the country. Sofia lies in the Sofia Valley at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain, This city was built west of the Iskar River. It is midway between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea and situated close to the Aegean Sea.

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral is the second-largest cathedral in the Balkan region. The cathedral is large enough to hold 10,000 people. It dates back to the 1880s. Originally the cathedral was dedicated to Russian soldiers who lost their lives in the course of liberation. Inside the ceiling of the main cupola has a mural of the Lord God Sabbath.

St. George Rotunda is the oldest building in modern Sofia. The red brick church dates back to the 300s. Inside you can see detailed medieval frescoes that were painted over by the Ottomans, at the time the church was converted to a mosque in the 1600s. Outside of the building, you can see the flagstones of a Roman street and other remnants of Ancient Serdica.

Vitosha Boulevard is the street in the city to find all the trendiest boutiques and fashion houses. It is also located in the area from which you can get great views of Vitosha Mountain. You can relax at the cafes located along the pedestrian street. The benches, kiosks, and lampposts have been designed in the Art Nouveau style from the early years of the Bulgarian Revival.

St. Sofia Church saved the city in the 1300s during the Second Bulgarian Empire. This church dates back to Byzantine times. It was founded on top of the ancient city of Serdica’s necropolis. You can still see the remnants of the ancient church and the tombs dating back over 1500 years.

Boyana Church sits on the lower slopes of Vitosha Mountain and is a UNESCO heritage site. The church is in a grove of tall softwood trees in a quiet suburb. It was built in three stages the most important additions were added during the Second Bulgarian Empire in the 1200s. In the interior, you can find some 240 historical and biblical figures depicted on frescoes.

Vitosha Mountain rises over 2,200 meters behind the southwestern suburbs. The peak is surrounded by a nature park. One way to get access to Vitosha is through the Aleko ski resort. Taking the Simconovo gondola you’ll be dropped off from where you can walk to Vitosha’s Black Peak.

The National Institute of Archeology was inaugurated in 1905. The institute is housed in the city’s former Grand Mosque. The main sections here are Prehistory, Main Hall, Medieval Section, and Treasury. Among the highlights are Thracian Gold discovered in 1953 and the Lukovit Treasure, dating from the time when Alexander the Great invaded Thrace in 400 BC.

The National Historical Museum has found its home in the residence of the former dictator Todor Zhikov. There are 65,000 items on display from treasures belonging to the Odrysians to space research equipment from the 20th century.

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre was built in 1909. It is an impressive example of the neo-Classical style. This building with its towering portico appears on Bulgarian banknotes. It features Bulgarian and Russian language adaptions of Don Quixote and Shakespeare's plays.

Borisova gradina is the most famous park in Sophia and is the oldest one as well. It was landscaped in the 1880s after the Bulgarian Revival. It is located southeast of the city center. Here you can enjoy many statues and flowerbeds. The park is also home to both the Vasil Levski Stadium and CSKA Stadium.

At the east end of the park is the Mound of Brotherhood the Communist monument built in 1956. It features a 42m-high obelisk and socialist-realist icons.

Serdica Amphitheatre was one of the largest in the Roman Empire where gladiator fights were held. Once it was unearthed it was integrated into the design of the Arena di Serdica Hotel. There is a specially-designed gallery so visitors who pass by can look down at the ruins, On summer evenings there are free concerts.

Central Mineral Baths date back to 1913 and they were in use until the mid-1980s. This is one of the most photographed buildings in Sofia. It was constructed in the neo-Byzantine style. The gardens are a great place for a stroll with a fountain at the center that is fed by the hot natural mineral water.

Park Vrana was once the stately home of aristocrat Simeon II, who was the Tsar of Bulgaria from 1943 – 1946 before going into exile. When he returned he was the Prime Minister from 2001 – 2005. This estate is only open on weekends but the buildings are closed.

Visitors can enjoy the landscaped gardens. There are guided tours given about the palace and grounds.

Sofia Synagogue is the largest synagogue in the Balkan region and the third-largest in Europe. This building can hold over 1,000 people and was built in the Moorish Revival style.

Banya Bashi Mosque is the only mosque in the city. This mosque can hold 700 people. On Fridays, you can see people outside the mosque listening via the external loudspeaker.