35 EUR / - 1-3 pax. - 35 EUR - 4-10 pax - 25 EUR - 10 or more - by request

This tour starts from Narodno Sabranie (Parliament) Square, and the Radisson BLU Grand Hotel. If traveling by car, please note that the square is classified as a blue zone car park for which vouchers must be purchased. In the middle of the Square sits the impressive Tsar Osvoboditel monument, portraying the Russian Tsar Al¬exander II on horseback. It was erected as a gesture of gratitude to the Russian tsar and his troops, who finally liberated Bulgaria in 1878 from Ottoman rule. The statue itself is a 14 metre high bronze by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi. Not far from the monu¬ment you will see the golden domes of a far grander gesture of the nation's gratitude. To get to the Cathedral, make your way past the beautiful white parliament build¬ing referred to as the National Assembly (Narodno Sabranie). Built in three stages between 1884-1928, it was designed by a Bulgarian architect who had been living and working in Vienna. 

The slogan on the facade above the en¬trance "Obedinenieto Pravi Silata", loosely translated means 'United we are strong', which seems wishful for any parliament. This is the scene of regular public protests and back in 1997 the building was actually stormed and damaged, leading to the even¬tual downfall of the Socialist party. 

Alexander Nevski Cathedral is without a doubt the most spectacular building in Sofia. Named after St. Alexander Nevski, a Russian tsar who saved Russia from invading Swed¬ish troops in 1240 and became the patron saint of Tsar Alexander II. Built between 1882 and 1912, in the neo-Byzantine style typical for Russian churches in the 19th century, the cathedral is 76 metres long and 53 metres wide and is said to hold up to 7000 people. Some of Russia and Bulgaria's best artists of the time worked on the interior with its five aisles and three altars. Sienna and Carrera marble in the entrance area, stained glass windows, Venetian mosaics and dramatic murals such as "The Lord God Sabbath" in the main cupola, and "The Day of Judge¬ment" above the exit, onyx and alabaster columns on the thrones, all add to the richness of the interior without making it in any way gaudy. The spectacular external golden domes were covered in gold leaf, donated by Russia in 1960, and have just been regilded. 

The Crypt below the cathedral is part of the National Art Gallery and houses the Old Bulgarian Art Collection, depicting Ortho¬dox Church Art from its origins in the 4th century through to the 19th century National Revival period. The focus is predominantly on icon painting with some 300 permanent exhibits, including an altar cross and a pair of altar doors from the Rila monastery. Just a stone's throw from Alex¬ander Nevski is another important church; the contrast in style could not be starker. 

St. Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox Church in Sofia and after major restoration and renova¬tion works, reopened to the public less than ten years ago, it once again plays an important role in the day-to-day rituals of Sofianites. Sveta Sofia is in fact the church that gave its name to the present day capital back in the 15th century. The simple red brick church dates back to the 5th/6th century, when it was the site of Serdica's necropolis. There are two glass panels in the floor through which you can see some remains. Under Ottoman rule it was turned into a mosque, but when an earthquake in 1818 toppled the minaret and a second some 40 years later killed the Imam's two sons, it was abandoned and restored as a church after liberation. 

Outside St. Sofia burns the eternal flame of the Unknown Soldier, set up in 1981 to honour the nation's war casualties. 

The large square around Alexander Nevski and St. Sofia doubles up as a flea mar¬ket aimed directly at the tourists visiting the area. On the one side you have the Bulgarian grannies with their embroidered table linens, and on the other, stalls selling all types of memorabilia as well as several artists' stalls. This area is also Sofia's main square for welcoming foreign dignitaries and public assemblies. 


From here you can take a short stroll to the Opera house on the corner of Rakovski and Vrabcha Streets: check out the programme, you may want to return later. 

Walking along Vrabcha Street, you will eventually come out on Vassil Levski Blvd., up to the right you will see the Vassil Levski Monument in the middle of a busy traffic roundabout. An obelisk marks the spot where the revolutionary Vassil Levski was hanged in 1873 by the Ottoman police. 

The white early Baroque-style Building (1887) just ahead (and actually on Alexander Nevski Square) is theNational Gallery for Foreign Art. Formerly a printing house, its 18 or so halls are since 1985 home to collections from all over the world, including several rooms of Indian art and works by the likes of Van Dyke, Rodin, Picasso and Goya. 

Across Vassil Levski Blvd. on either corner with Shipka Street are two further impressive educational establishments. The Cyril and Methodius National Library with a statue of the two brothers in the garden area directly in front, and Sofia University, another Baroque-style building from the 1920's. The large seated sculptures depict the brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgiev, who donated the land and funds for this building. 

At this point you can end the tour and return to your starting point, or you may wish to take a stroll down Shipka and neighbouring streets for some shopping. 

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PRICES: 
- 1-3 pax. - 35 EUR 
- 4-10 pax - 25 EUR 
- 10 or more - by request 
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VAKANCIA MAIN OFFICE: 
1000 Sofia, 36 "Lavele" str. 
tel.: +359 2 980 56 10, +359 2 980 35 65 
fax: +359 2 980 56 12 
e-mail: vakancia@einet.bg 

For five centuries Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman Empire. During that time, according to different legends, churches were not allowed to be built higher than one storey (or the height of a mounted horseman). Most probably the only official written rule stated that churches should not be higher than mosques and that they could only be built on sites, where in the past there used to be a church. Bulgarians used a smart trick to outwit the rulers; during the night they would pile up some stones which on the next day they would show to the Ottoman officials, claiming them to be the remains of an old Christian church. 

Several of Sofia's churches were converted to mosques during the Ottoman era; Sveta Sophia & St George Rotunda for example. In the latter several layers of Christian frescoes were covered with Islamic decorative ornaments and a minaret was built. This was destroyed in the 20th century, the layer of plaster with Islamic art was removed and the original medieval paintings were uncovered. A small layer of Islamic art remains to date, to remind future generations of the church's history. After the liberation from the Ottomans, several mosques were used for different purposes. The Grand Mosque (current Archeological Museum) first served as a hospital during the war and then it housed a library. It prob¬ably never was a prison (which is often suggested by our guests) but Sveti Sedmochislenitsi church did house wrongdoers for a while. It was built as a mosque in the 16th century over remains of an early Christian church and a Roman temple. In the beginning of the 20th century it became a Christian church. 

Bulgarian society has always been extremely tolerant to¬wards other religions. A map of Sofia shortly after the lib¬eration shows that the number of churches and mosques was almost equal. There were also temples of many other religions, including several Armenian churches and synagogues. This tolerance is still evident today - at the so called "Square of Tolerance" in the very heart of Sofia where the places of worship of four of the world's major religions are all within a stone's throw from each other. 

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