GENERAL INFO
NDK
Borisova gradina
Mound of Brotherhood [Bratska mogila]
Soviet Army Monument
ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATEDRAL
RUSSIAN CHURCH
Ivan Vazov National Theatre
National Assembly of Bulgaria/ PARLIAMENT
Monument to the Tsar Liberator
The Largo
Monument to Holy Wisdom [Statuya na Sveta Sofia]
The Party House [Partien dom]
Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square
Archaeological Museum [Arheologicheski muzey]
The Presidency
CHURCH ST.GEORGE
CHURCH ST.SOFIA
Sofia university
STATUE Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi
SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library
National Gallery for Foreign Art
Sofia Synagogue
Banya Bashi Mosque
Catholic cathedral St Joseph in Sofia
The Central Baths [Tsentralna banya]
Tsentralni hali
MORE MUSEUMS
GENERAL INFO
Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria. The city is located in the southern part of the Sofia valley and at the foot of the mountains Vitosha and Lyulin. The town occurred in the 8th - 7th century B.C. arround the mineral spring which is now in the center of the city. The Romans conquered the town in the I century and called it Serdica. In the 9th century is was given the name Sredets. It has been bearing the name of Sofia since 14th century - the name comes from the name of the church St.Sofia. Since 1878 Sofia has been the capital city of Bulgaria.
NDK
The Congress Centre in Sofia is the largest multifunctional complex in the southern part of Eastern Europe. It is designated and equipped both for congress and cultural events. Launched in 1981, it gradually acquired fame as the most prestigious site of numerous national and international activities. Meeting the requirements of the highest international standards the Congress Centre is the member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Congress Palaces (AIPS) which guarantees the highest service standards.
Borisova gradina
Borisova gradina or Knyaz-Borisova gradina (Bulgarian: Борисова градина or Княз-Борисова градина, translated as Boris' Garden or Knyaz Boris' Garden) is the oldest and best known park in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Its construction and arrangement began in 1884 and it is named after Bulgarian Tsar Boris III.
The history of the garden embraces three periods under three renowned gardeners. All followed the initial scheme, developing it further and perfecting it instead of making radical changes to the original design.
Mound of Brotherhood [Bratska mogila]
Many of the artists responsible for the SovietArmyMonument also worked on the Mound of Brotherhood, a 42-metre-high obelisk that rises dramatically from a ridge in the south-eastern corner of Borisova gradina park. Built in 1956, it is intended to commemorate those who fought and fell in various stages of the struggle against fascism - from the Bulgarian communist uprising of September 1923 (a badly-planned affair that culminated with most of the participants being rounded up and shot) to the Red-Army offensives of World War II. A monumental statue of machine-gun-toting partisans stands at the base of the obelisk, while bas-reliefs on either side portray striking workers, and Soviet troops being greeted by Bulgarian civilians.
SovietArmyMonument
Built in 1954 by a team of architects and artists working under Danko Mitov, this is one of the best examples of socialist sculpture in the Balkans, and also one of the most controversial. A skyline-dominating 34-metre-high pillar, it is crowned by a flamboyant statue of a Red Army soldier leading a Bulgarian couple towards the Promised Land of communism. Bronze bas-reliefs on either side of the pillar show scenes from the October revolution, World War II battles, and Soviet troops entering Bulgaria to be greeted joyfully by the locals.
ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATEDRAL
The St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral Stauropigial Memorial-Church rises in the center of Sofia, in a big square bearing its name. The Cathedral represents the material expression of gratitude of the Bulgarian people for the remarkable self sacriftee of the 200,000 Russian heroes who by their unprecedented valour, resolution and boundless fraternal love, at the price of their blood and life, in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War (1877-1878) broke the chains of the neany five century Ottoman bondage and gaven the pepole their priceless freedom.
The magnificent St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church, built to the designs of architect Pomerantsev from 1904 to 1912, is one of the finest pieces of 20th century architecture in Sofia. The interior is just as splendid in materials and craftsmanship: Italian marble, Brazilian onyx, African alabaster, frescoes and woodcarvings by the best Bulgarian and Russian artists.
The underground crypt has an impressive collection of icons. The exposition opened in 1964 and features icons from across Bulgaria that are among the 9th to 18th century masterpieces in the Balkans.
The St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial-Church is an impressive five nave basilica of a cruciform domed type with basic Byzantine style elements, influenced in some parts by eastern models. Its builtup area is 3,170sq.m . and its total volume about 86,000sq.m. Its external length is 73.50m. and the width 50.52m. From the pavement level to the tower cross, the height of the memorial-church is 50.52 m, that of the central dome 46.27m and of the roof bridge 28m. The main dome has a commanding position over a number of half-domes, rounded and straight on the apses of the church which lend it impressive stateliness. It is balanced by the lighter, soaring tower which gives the entire edifice the character of a monument.
RUSSIANCHURCH
The RussianChurch (Bulgarian: Руска църква, Ruska tsarkva), officially known as the Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker (църква "Св. Николай Чудотворец", tsarkva "Sv. Nikolay Chudotvorets")
The church was built on the site of the Saray 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 church was designed by the Russian architect Mikhail Preobrazhenski in the Russian Revival Style, with decoration inspired by the Muscovite Russian churches of the 17th century. The construction was supervised by the architect A. Smirnov, who was building the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia nearby. The exterior decoration of multicolored tiles was done by G. Kislichev, and the interior murals were painted by a team of artists led by Vasily Perminov, who also painted those in Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The five domes are coated with gold. The bells were donated by Emperor Nicholas II.
Ivan Vazov National Theatre
The Ivan Vazov National Theatre (Bulgarian: Народен театър „Иван Вазов“, Naroden teatar „Ivan Vazov“) is Bulgaria's national theatre, as well as the oldest and most authoritative theatre in the country and one of the important landmarks of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is located in the centre of the city, with the facade facing the CityGarden.
Founded in 1904 by the artists from the Salza i Smyah company, it was initially called simply the National Theatre, but before being named after the prominent writer Ivan Vazov it also bore the name of Krastyu Sarafov between 1952 and 1962. The theatre's Neoclassical building, designed by famous Viennese theatre architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner,[1] was finished in 1906 and opened on 3 January 1907. The building was extensively damaged by a fire in 1923 during an anniversary celebration, but was reconstructed in 1929 by German architect Martin Dülfer.
A theatrical school was established as part of the National Theatre in 1925. The bombing of Sofia in World War II caused considerable damage to the building, but it was reconstructed in 1945. Another reconstruction followed in 1971-1975, and a €100,000 restoration project was implemented in 2006.[2]
National Assembly of Bulgaria/ PARLIAMENT
The National Assembly of Bulgaria was established in 1879 with the Constitution of Bulgaria.
The National Assembly's main building has been proclaimed a monument of culture for its historic significance. Situated in downtown Sofia, it was designed in Neo-Renaissance style by Konstantin Jovanović, a Serbian-Bulgarian architect who received his education in Vienna and Switzerland and whose other works include the Parliament of Serbia building. It was constructed between 1884 and 1886 by Friederich Wilhelm Gustav Liebe, a young builder from Saxonywho was only 22 years old when construction began.
The building is depicted on the reverse of the Bulgarian 20 leva banknote, issued in 1999 and 2007.
Monument to the Tsar Liberator
The Monument to the Tsar Liberator (Bulgarian: Паметник на Цар Освободител, Pametnik na Tsar Osvoboditel) is an equestrian monument in the centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It was erected in honour of Russian Emperor Alexander II who liberated Bulgaria of Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.
The Neoclassical memorial's author is Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi, who won the project in competition with 31 other artists from 12 countries (and with a total of 90 artists from 15 countries being interested) in the end of the 19th century. Bulgarian architect Nikola Lazarov participated in the monument's architectural design. The foundation stone was laid on 23 April 1901, St George's Day, in the presence of Knyaz Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, and the monument was completed on 15 September 1903.
The main bronze bas-relief in the middle part depicts a group of Russian and Bulgarian soldiers led by Nike, the Ancient Greek goddess of victory, who rises her sword high above. Portraits of Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich, Count Ignatiev and the generals Joseph Vladimirovich Gourko and Mikhail Skobelev surround the group.
The Largo
Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov Boulevard (Bulgarian: Булевард Княз Александър Дондуков), shortly referred to as Dondukov is an important central boulevard in Sofia. It is named after the Russian general and statesman Alexander Dondukov-Korsakov. It lies between the TZUM and the Chavdar bridge. It crosses several other major streets such as the Vasil Levski Boulevard and Georgi Rakovski Street.
Monument to Holy Wisdom [Statuya na Sveta Sofia]
Once occupied by a behemoth-sized statue of Lenin, this prime city-centre site was left vacant throughout the 1990s, and it wasn’t until the millennium that this 24-metre-high bronze goddess – an allegory of “Holy Wisdom” - appeared on the spot. The city of Sofia originally got its name from the Church of Sveta Sofia (“Holy Wisdom”) in the centre, and this statue was intended to symbolize the connection.
The Party House [Partien dom]
Built to house the Communist Party Central Committee, it once sported a massive red star atop its rocket-like spire - when protesters attempted to torch the building in August 1990, the star was hastily removed. The building now provides office space for Bulgarian MPs.
Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square
PRince Alexander of Battenberg Square (Bulgarian: площад „Княз Александър Батенберг“), often called simply Battenberg Square (площад „Батенберг“) is the largest square of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is named after Alexander Joseph of Battenberg, the first prince of modern Bulgaria, and is arguably the most suitable place in Sofia for major open-air concerts such as the concert series "Opera on the Square", demonstrations, parades (including the military parade on St George's Day) and other large-scale events.
During the Communist rule of Bulgaria, the square had the name 9 September Square, as a coup on 9 September 1944 made the country a Communist state. It was the site of the Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum from 1949 until 1999. Before 1944, the square was known as Tsar's Square because the former royal palace, now the NationalArtGallery, is located there.
Archaeological Museum [Arheologicheski muzey]
Housed in a beautifully restored fifteenth-century mosque, this attractive display of Thracian, Greek, Roman and medieval Bulgarian artefacts is by far the most eye-pleasing museum that Sofia has to offer. Imposing chunks of Greek and Roman masonry are strewn around the main hall, while upstairs lie many of the headline-grabbing Thracian treasures, unearthed by Bulgarian archaeologists in recent years. Most mesmerizing of all is the solid gold burial mask of a fourth-century-BC Thracian ruler, excavated near the central Bulgarian town of Shipka in summer 2004. A series of Orthodox church paintings depicting the life and martyrdom of St George run around the first-floor gallery, while a room full of exquisite medieval Bulgarian jewelry looks contemporary enough to provide today’s designers with a rich seam of inspiration. The bilingual Bulgarian-English labeling is unusually thorough, and the collection is just the right size to be easily digestible in one trip.
The Presidency
Directly opposite the archeological museum is the entrance to the suite of offices where the Bulgarian president does his nine-to-five job, guarded by soldiers dressed in ceremonial nineteenth-century uniforms. The changing of the guard, which takes place on the hour, involves a lot of ritualistic marching about, and is well worth watching.
CHURCH ST.GEORGE
The red brick rotunda church of St. George is considered the oldest building in Sofia. It is situated behind Sheraton Hotel, amid remains of the ancient town of Serdica. Three layers of frescoes have been discovered, the earliest dating back to the 10th century. Magnificent frescoes of 22 prophets over 2 meters tall crown the dome. At present church is a museum, open Tue - Sat 10.30am - 1pm, 3pm-5.30pm.
CHURCH ST.SOFIA
If St.George is the oldest church then St.Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia. Many legends surrounds its history, but it was actually built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian between 527-565. In the 14th century the church gave its name to the city. During the Turkish rule minarets were added and the church functioned as a mosque until two earthquakes in the 19th century destroyed one of the minarets and the mosque was abandoned. Restoration work was begun after 1900. The present building is a cross basilica with three altars.
Sofiauniversity
The Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is the first higher educational institution in Bulgaria. Its history is an embodiment and a continuation of centuries of cultural and educational tradition in this country.
Public teaching activities in Bulgaria date back to the second half of the 9th century.
The university was founded on 1 October 1888, 10 years after the Liberation of Bulgaria, to serve as Bulgaria's primary institution of higher education.
Its main building is situated at 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. The Faculties of Mathematics and Informatics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Journalism and Mass Communication, Theology, Economics and Business Administration, and Preschool and Primary School Education are spread over several campuses around Sofia.
STATUE Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi
The Georgiev brothers made their fortunes in nineteenth-century Odessa, then used their wealth to fund the establishment of Bulgarian-language schools. Their place in the country’s cultural pantheon assured, they now bask beside the steps of Bulgaria’s biggest university like a pair of contented walruses.
SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library
Sts.Cyril and Methodius [Sveti Sveti Kiril i Metodiy]
Standing proudly in front of the colonnaded façade of the National Library, these ninth-century monks from Thessaloniki are celebrated for their invention of an entirely new alphabet, which they used to translate the holy gospels into the Slav languages. Subsequently modified by their disciples, the alphabet is nowadays known as Cyrillic, and is used in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Macedonia and Serbia as well as in Bulgaria itself.
National Gallery for Foreign Art
The National Gallery for Foreign Art (Bulgarian: Национална галерия за чуждестранно изкуство, Natsionalna galeriya za chuzhdestranno izkustvo) of Bulgaria is a gallery located on St Alexander Nevsky Square in the capital city of Sofia. It serves as the country's national institution for foreign (i.e. non-Bulgarian) art. It is situated in the imposing 19th-century Neoclassic edifice of the former Royal Printing Office. It was built between 1882 and 1884 during the rule of Knyaz Alexander Battenberg to the designs of Austrian architect Friedrich Schwanberg[1] and reconstructed after it suffered significant damage during the bombing of Sofia in World War II.
The gallery was founded on 5 November 1985 as the art gallery of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Foundation, its stock being collected by donations, as well as by the addition of the NationalArtGallery's foreign art section.[3]
The gallery's permanent exposition features European, Asian (Buddhist, Japanese and Indian) and African art, as well as separate contemporary art and engraving sections.
Sofia Synagogue
Dating from 1909, this extravagant building is a fitting monument to the community that once made up one fifth of Sofia’s population. Jewish leaders are widely thought to have dissuaded the Turks from torching the city in 1878, and the respect they commanded among their fellow citizens probably explains why they felt able to erect such a joyously extrovert piece of architecture right beside Sofia’s main street. Viennese designer Friedrich Gruenanger mixed Byzantine and Moorish styles to produce a huge domed building flanked by decorous turrets. Dominating feature of the interior is the 2250kg chandelier hanging from the cupola, surrounded by Art Nouveau-inspired wall decorations.
On the 2nd floor the Synagogue hosts The Jewish Museum of History, tel.+359 2 983 14 40, , Open 9:00-12:30 and 13:00-16:00. Closed on Sat, Sun. Lectures in Bulgarian, English and Hebrew are included in the entrance fee - 2Lv.
Banya Bashi Mosque
The last surviving mosque in Sofia still in use, the building consists of a large dome and an elegant minaret and takes its name from the neighbouring Central Baths - Banya Bashi literally means ‘many baths'. Dating from 1576, the mosque is said to have been designed by Hadzhi Mimar Sinan, the leading Ottoman architect of the day. The mosque fell into disuse during Communist rule but is now open for worship once again - you can hear the loudspeakers on the minaret calling the Muslims of the city to prayer five times a day. The mosque is not officially open as a tourist attraction but visitors are welcome outside prayer times, including women, if modestly dressed.