Hello. Today I wanted to share with you memories from our visit to the capital of Bulgaria. All the main attractions of the capital were tightly packed in the historic center, which was advantageous for us. This metropolis is located in the west of Bulgaria at the foot of the Vitosha mountains. The city is among the oldest in Europe.
Our first stop on our route was the National Library dedicated to Saint Cyril and Methodius, located in the center of Sofia. Behind the beautiful walls there are truly priceless historical treasures: several thousand ancient manuscripts and printed books. In front of the library stands a statue of Saint Cyril and Methodius. According to the information board, these priest brothers invited into service by Prince Rastislav of Great Moravia, developed the alphabet and writing for the Slavs, which later became the basis for all Slavic languages. Cyril and Methodius translated the texts of the Holy Scriptures and liturgical books. The Cyrillic alphabet used in some countries is also named after one of these brothers.
Meanwhile records confirming the events I mentioned earlier are found in the domes of the library, making them of very high cultural and historical value.
The main facade faced a crowded street. The next stop on our route was the Tsar Liberator Monument. This magnificent composition is rightfully considered one of the city's most important attractions.
Near the monument we visited the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. If you go to Sofia it's one of the must-visit places. It's a magnificent cathedral. Its size and grandeur are breathtaking. Taking photos inside requires an additional fee.
It's necessary to park our car, but it should be convenient. And this is equally important in Sofia, as it is throughout Bulgaria. I spent a few days in the capital and during this short time I encountered several amusing parking stories. All parking lots in Sofia are owned by the municipality. The city is divided into two zones: Blue and Green. The Blue zone allows you to leave your car for a maximum of two hours and costs 1 euro per hour. The Green zone is more lenient. You can leave your car for 4 hours, but it's twice as expensive. We understood the zones, but the question of how to pay still puzzled us. This is an issue in Bulgaria. For Bulgarians it's not a problem in their daily practice, they pay via sms, but it's not an option for tourists without a Bulgarian sim card. Fortunately we managed to solve this problem later through a mobile app.
Here I had an interesting experience. I parked the car in the center, paid my fee and started walking around comfortably. However after a while, as I passed by the parking lot, I couldn't see my car. It wasn't visible from the other side either. Some arrangements were being made in the parking area. When I returned to the parking lot I realized that my car was indeed not there. I checked the time in the app I paid with. There was still time left. I called the hotline. Apparently the attendant already knew about my situation. A sweet voice on the other end cheerfully said, We decided to organize a fair there, but your car was in the way, so we had to tow it. Great... They decided to organize a fair, but forgot to put up a notice in the parking lot. Fortunately my car was found on a nearby street. Alright now that I've told my parking adventure, we can get back to our route.
In the same square you'll find the St. Sophia Basilica. The church was originally built in the 4th century. What was once a modest monastery transformed into a magnificent cathedral during the reign of Emperor Constantine, the first ruler of the Holy Roman Empire to recognize Christianity at the state level. The modern Hagia Sophia in Sofia is a result of the empire's reconstruction.
The church doesn't have its own bell towers, the priests hung the bell directly on a tree, where it remains to this day.
By the way there's an interesting spot in the park nearby, a reading room. It resembles a small glass box filled with books. Anyone can stop by and read a book they like.
The second symbol of the capital we visited was the Ivan Vazov national theatre. This is a building in the German classic style. The interior has been redesigned twice after fires. It's one of Sofia's significant landmarks. It's no surprise it bears the name of the great Bulgarian national writer and poet Ivan Vazov. His historical dramas, tragedies and brilliant comedies have contributed to the creation and development of the extensive and diverse repertoire of the leading theater company in Bulgaria.
From the theater we moved on to the Bulgarian Parliament. By the way as we passed by in search of my car from that memorable parking adventure, we saw the building of the National Art Gallery. Also on the way to the Parliament building, we saw the National Archaeological Museum and the Art Club museum café located on its grounds. It was very atmospheric.
I also want to mention, Sofia is very well-filled with parks. I was delighted with so much landscaping, it's very pleasing to the eye.
The National Assembly building is located in the square named after it in the center of Sofia. This monumental building of the National Assembly, one of the architectural monuments of the late 19th century, immediately captivated us as we stepped into the square. It was impossible not to notice that not just one but several buildings were erected in this area, all in the same architectural style. The National Assembly building the third contender rightfully considered as a symbol of the city. On the façade above is the inscription: Unity Makes Strength, one of the main elements of Bulgaria's national coat of arms. There was also a small summer café in the square. Of course, the prices were a bit high, but the view was very enchanting.
The Banya Bashi Mosque is the only active mosque in the capital. Every morning, the sound of the minaret calling for prayer can be heard around. We could easily notice that among the visitors were not only muslims but also everyone who came to see the masterpieces of world culture. Since the temple is officially recognized as a historical value, everyone regardless of their religion, was allowed inside. The building of the mosque is an important example of Ottoman architecture.
Next to it is the Central Mineral Baths a structure in the center of Sofia, built in the Viennese Secession style and famous for its minerals. Across from the bath complex and the mosque, a large building crowned with a clock tower draws attention. This is the central covered market of the capital.
Behind the market in a dead-end street, another magnificent religious building was hidden, but this time not a temple but a synagogue. On the other side a church and right behind it, an old cathedral. I can't even imagine how all these religious institutions coexist in such a small part of the city, but this compactness is a real advantage for us tourists. We didn't have to walk for miles.
Everyone in the center of Sofia must have seen a golden woman figure on a pedestal rising right in the middle of the Bulgarian capital. This is the statue of Sofia, the city's guardian. The statue was erected in 2000 and will celebrate its 24th year at the end of this year. She holds a laurel wreath in one hand, a symbol of victory and success. It is believed that in her other palm, Sophia holds ancient coins a symbol of prosperity and the rich history of the city. A owl sits on her shoulder, a symbol of wisdom.
We liked the tram lines. Sofia is the only Bulgarian city boasting tram rails. There's no metro or tram in other cities. All the tram cars in the capital are quite new and modern and like parking lots, trams also operate with a modern payment system through an app. Overall those who love green transportation will be pleased not only with metro and tram lines but also with many well-equipped bicycle lanes. Of course as part of the current trend, there are also several electric scooter rental services.
Another place we visited was Vitosha Boulevard. The boulevard is filled with modern shops, bars and restaurants. Moreover most restaurants are equipped with covered terraces, so the boulevard is lively not only in summer but also in the cold season. The boulevard starts with the cathedral and stretches to the southern park. Among boutiques like Versace, Escada and Dolce Gabbana, the Justice Palace and the National Palace of Culture, the building where the Bulgarian poet Peyo Yavorov lived are hidden. Apart from these three buildings, everything else is striking neon signs of luxury brands. The only thing that reminds of the boulevard's historical past is wooden benches and antique lanterns.
At the end of the boulevard stands a bronze statue of the Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov. We reached the end of the road and it was time to end the tour. I left Sofia with extremely positive feelings.
