| Sofia - “Ever Growing, Never Ageing” |
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The city
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The Bulgarian capital Sofia (population: 1 182 698 inhabitants) is located in the Sofiisko pole, 550 m above the sea level and occupies a territory of 1, 311 sq. km. Sofia lies at the distance of 55 km. from the Serbian border at Kalotino checkpoint, at 113 km from the Gyushevo checkpoint with Macedonia, at 183 km. from the Greek border at Kaulata, at 315 km. from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andeevo and at 324km. from Rousse. In close proximity of the capital lie Pancharevo lake and Iskar dam. The Iskar river flows by east of Sofia.
The capital Sofia is linked by international routes with the capitals of Europe, and via Istanbul and Ankara, with the Middle East.
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Landmarks
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 Several buildings and places vie for Sofia’s emblem. The most frequent image is the impressive edifice of the Cathedral and Memorial church of "St.Alexandar Nevski". The temple is the central patriarch’s cathedral of the autonomous Bulgarian Orthodox Church. A remarkable sight is also the place surrounding the cathedral, where a Monument of the unknown soldier with eternal burning flame is located. Part of the same square is occupied by the church of St.Sofia, dating from the 4 th – 6 th century AD. In the early 19 th century it was briefly transformed into a mosque and flanked by a minaret, but soon after the Liberation it was again sanctified as an orthodox church. Behind the Monumental Cathedral rises the building of the “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, which houses the National Gallery of Foreign Arts. It contains unique exhibits of art from Africa, Asia and Europe, Spanish baroque paintings and tableaux by the modern painter Nikolai Roerich.
Another landmark in the capital is the “Ivan Vazov” National Theatre. The theatre was founded in 1904, and its building was completed in 1907. The edifice of the National Assembly was built in 1884. and it is the third rightful candidate for the city’s emblem. A motto inscribed on its main façade reads “Union makes strength”. To the west of the Parliament building is the Bulgarian Academy of Science created in 1869, and to the east across a small garden rises the St.Kliment Ohridski university, founded in 1888, and built in 1920 with personal donations by the brothers Evlogy and Hristo Georgievi. You also can visit the National Art Gallery which contains a collection of over 12 000 works of art, the oldest of which dating to the 18 th century. The National Ethnographic museum exhibits a wealth of collections of national costumes, hand – made works of art from Bulgarian people’s daily life, tools of labour dating from three of four centuries ago, jewelry, tissues, embroideries and other objects of typical national folk art. In the inner courtyard of the Presidency and hotel “Sheraton” rises the famous Roman Rotunda transformed into the church of St.George, dating to the 4 th century AD. Recently restored, it is stunning for its simple and exquisite architecture. The Russian Monument is an obelisk rising west of the city center. It bears a written dedication of the Russian Tsar and the Russian warriors who fell in the war for Bulgaria’s liberation.
The Monument to the Saint Brothers Cyril and Methodius who devised the Bulgarian alphabet rises in front of the National Library, north of the Sofia University building. Beyond the “Dundukov” Blvd. is located the National Opera - a building which also houses the National Ballet. The Opera house building is in neo – classical style, and in front of it rises a monument to Alexandar Stamboliiski, one time prime – minister of Bulgaria.
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 The Russian Church "St Nikolai" was built in 1912-1914. The interior of the church contains wonderful majolica ornaments, Russian-style icons among which stands out the icon of St.Nikolai the Wonderworker from the Kiev-Pechora Laura.
Another remarkable mixture of cultures is the square in front of the Central Halls covered market (1911), where are the Banya Bashi Mosque (1576), the public baths (1913), the Roman ruins with the corner tower of the fortress of Serdica, the Jewish synagogue(1909) and the almost underground church "St Petka Samardjiiska".
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Social life
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 There are numerous theatres, art galleries, monuments, the national opera, business and trade centers, parks, restaurants offering food from all over the world, nightclubs and casinos that enhance the city's diversity and meet the expectations of every kind of visitors of Sofia.
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Surrounding areas
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Most conspicuous to the visitors of Sofia are the mountains, which encircle the Sofia plain. Vitosha, Lyulin and Plana are interesting places that worth to be seen. Lyulin mountain is situated south – west of the capital, 3 km. from the ring road. Now virtually a part of the city, it is a good place for outgoings, picnics and walks. Bosnovy poliani ( Bons glades) are the most frequented place in the mountain. Plana mountain also offers interesting sights for tourists. It is situated at about 10 km. south of the capital and can be reached by municipal bus transport or by car along the road to Samokov. Most frequently visited is the Kokalyane monastery, built in the 10 th century by tsar Samuil. Beautiful frescoes and mural decorate the church built after Russian patterns. Pancharevo lake is about 15 km. from the capital and is situated next to the Pancharevo village. The lake when is full is about 5 km. long and 1 km. wide. It is suitable for recreation, sunbathing, fishing, water sports and swimming. Rowing and water - ski competitions are frequently organized here. The Iskar dam is another large artificial water reservoir near Sofia. It lies 25 km. south of the city. Within the Vitosha's limits the most interesting landmarks are the Boyana church and the Dragalevski Monastery. They were built in the XIII th and the XIV th century respectively and are considered the forerunners of the European Renaissance. The Vranya Residence and its small lake are situated along the very ring road. The place used to be a residence of the late tsar Boris III. Today the place is used only in the summer. Bankya is 22 km. from the capital. The town is a balneological center for cardiovascular and pulmonary ailments. It can be reached by bus or by a regular railway line. Wonderful place for picnic and tourist outgoings surrounds it.
The Kremikovski Monastery is located 30 km. north of Sofia. The Kourilo Monastery stand at the mouth of the Iskar Gorge near the Kourilo village, 18 km. from the capital. It can be reached by the road to Mezdra or by passenger train on the line connecting Sofia with Northern Bulgaria. The church was built and painted in the XV th century.
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Parks
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The main park in Sofia is the Vitosha park, which covers a large part of the mountain. The central park of Sofia is the Borissova gradina (The Garden of Boris). At the very beginning of the park is the Ariana lake, where water wheels are available from spring to late autumn. Further inside the park are numerous tennis courts, a cycle – racing track, the “Bulgarian Army” soccer stadium and the “Vasil Levski” National stadium. The Municipal City Garden is situated in the capital’s ideal center opposite to the Sofia Municipal Gallery. In front of the National Theatre there are fountains with a sculpture of a female dancer. Yuzhen park (the Southern park) is the second largest park after the Borissova garden. It extend from “Ivan Vazov” quarter to the “Hladilnika” quarter. Numerous children’s playgrounds are included in its territory. The “Spartak” swimming and sport center is an attractive place for open – air celebrations organized by the Sofia Municipality. Zapaden park (the Western park) is close to the “Zaharna Fabrica” quarter and the beginning of the “Lyulin” residential area. Several catering and spot establishments are available in it and there is enough space for walks and games.
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