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MUSEUMS

Sofia's museums are exclusively Bulgaria oriented and are aimed at chronicling the conflicting fortunes of this once great empire. They can provide a fascinating insight into the Balkan Peninsula and the peoples that have passed through it. Despite the fact that entrance fees are higher for foreigners, they're still low, so there's no excuse not to visit them. Descriptions and titles are often only in Bulgarian, but you can remedy this by booking yourself a guided tour.

National History Museum

Housed in the stately Boyana Residence, it comprises of approximately 22,000 exhibits, showing the development of social, political and cultural life on Bulgarian lands in the prehistoric period; Bulgarian lands in ancient times; the Bulgarian state during the middle ages;
the XV - XVII century, the Bulgarian National revival period and the Bulgarian State 1878 - 1945. Of special interest are the silver Thracian treasures from Rogozen, the unique Panagyurishte gold treasures, archeological finds from the early bronze ages, silver and bronze jewellery and tools, a large collection of Bulgarian Christian art, a rich collection of printed antique vases as well as precious and rare armoury.

RESIDENCE BOYANA, PALACE 1, TEL. 955 42 80
Open: 9.30 - 18.00. Admission: 10 leva; Guide: 10 leva.
Students - 5 leva; Invalids and Pensioners - free.
Bus No. 63 and 111, Trolley bus No. 2; Marsh-route Taxi No. 21

Archaeological Museum

Newly opened after a long period of restoration sponsored by the Italian government and the Bulgarian Cultural Heritage Foundation, the Museum now boasts one of the best displayed collections of any museum in Bulgaria. Remains of Thracian, Greek and Roman settlements can be seen in well lit surroundings with excellent captions in Bulgarian and English. Star exhibit is the Valchitran gold treasure from the 14th century BC which is in the centre of the main hall. There is also a sarcophagus showing dramatic scenes of violence, and the original mosaic rescued from the floor of the St. Sofia Church. The museum would be worth a visit for the building alone, the ivy-clad 15th century 'Buyuk (Big) Mosque'.

2 Saborna St., next to the Bulgarian National Bank.
Free Admission. Open 10.00 - 14.30, closed Monday.

The Earth and Man Museum

Founded in 1986. Over 20,000 exhibits are on display, divided into six sections: Giant Crystals, Minerals of the Earth, Industrial Minerals, Raw Material Sources of Bulgaria, Gems, New Materials. The museum also holds exhibitions and classical music evenings, which are noted in our cultural supplement.

4 Cherni Vrah Blvd.
Open 10.00 - 18.00, closed Sunday and Monday.
Admission 0.40 leva, guided tours in most languages: US $10.

National Museum of Natural Science

The museum was founded in 1889 and opened to visitors in 1907. Nowadays the museum has three major sections: Geology, Zoology and Botany. Apart from several meteorites, the 'Earth and Space' exhibition features unique lunar samples and an impressive array of stuffed and preserved wildlife. A special exhibition shows live pythons, crocodiles, spiders, frogs and lizards.

On Tsar Osvobditel Blvd., near the Russian Church. Open 10.00 - 18.00 daily (last admission 17.00).

Ethnographic Museum

The museum displays folk costumes, fabrics, jewellery, woodcarvings, hammered ironwork, etc. A small craft shop sells crafts, costumes and musical instruments from all over Bulgaria.

In the former Royal Palace on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., along with the National Art Gallery.
Open 10.00 -17.00, closed Monday.

The Alexander Nevsky Crypt

The crypt museum was founded in 1965 and contains items from the very beginnings of Bulgarian iconography (the end of the 9th century) until the end of the 19th century. All stages of the Bulgarian iconography school are represented in a collection of 300 original icons. An excellent guide book is now available in Bulgarian and English. The illustrations and clearly written texts will help anyone understand the intracacies of the icon genre. The guide costs 7 leva.

Under the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Open 10.30 - 12.00,14.00- 18.30, closed Tuesday.
Admission 3 leva, guided tours 6 leva.

ART GALLERIES

National Art Gallery
1 Alexander Battenberg Square Phone: 980 00 93
Guides are available. Situated in the former Royal Palace. Standing exhibition of Bulgarian and foreign art from the middle ages to the present day. Extension in crypt of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral showing one of the largest original icon collections in Bulgaria. Admission 3 leva. Guided 9 leva. Free Admission on Sundays. Closed Mondays.
National Gallery for Foreign Art
1 Alexander Nevsky Square Phone: 986 65 30
Impressive early Baroque style building from 1887. Permanent exhibition of ancient Greek sculpture; Indian sculpture; Japanese engravings; African ritual sculpture; fine art from 15th century to the present day, including Van Dyke, Veroccio, Rodin, Picasso, Goya; works by Bulgarian National Revival masters.
Sofia City Art Gallery
1 Gurko St. Phone: 981 26 06
Two floors of exhibition space and some musical evenings. First floor standing exhibition. Shows mostly contemporary Bulgarian artists. Free Admission.
There are also countless private galleries whose exhibitions are listed in our black & white cultural supplement.

RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS

The major religion in Bulgaria is Christian Orthodox.
Most of the churches in Sofia perform Orthodox services.
The ones we suggest are of historical importance to the city.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

The place for which all tourists make a beeline is the St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Cathedral, whose golden domes are under wraps at the moment, being regilded. The cathedral was built in honour of the Russian Tsar Alexander 2nd, the "Tsar Liberator", whose army liberated Bulgaria from Turkish rule and was named after St. Alexander Nevsky, the patron saint of the Tsar and his family. The foundation stone was laid in 1882 but the building was not completed until 1912. The Russian architect Pomerantsev built the cathedral in the typically neo-Byzantine style which was so fashionable in 19th century Russia. Notable features are Siena and Carrara marbles at the entrance, Brazilian onyx and albaster on the King's and bishop's thrones and stained glass windows as well as icons, rich frescoes and grandiose chandeliers. The square surrounding the cathedral hosts souvenir stalls (winter and summer alike) and is a popular place for political demonstrations.

St. Nedelya Church

The church squats on a plot dividing two of Sofia's busiest streets, Vitosha Blvd. and Maria Luiza Blvd. St. Nedelya was built in the period 1856-1863 upon remains of the Roman town of Serdica. In 1925 it was almost demolished by political sabotage, but was later reconstructed.

The Rotunda of St. George

The red brick rotunda church of St. George is considered the oldest building in Sofia. It is situated behind the 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 metres tall crown the dome.

St. Sofia Church

St. Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox Christian church in Sofia. Many legends surround 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.

The St. Petka Samardzhiiska Church

This mediaeval church nestles peacefully in the subway in front of TsUM and can be seen rising out amidst the traffic-filled boulevards that pass it by. The church, built in the 14th century, is still well preserved and houses frescoes from three different periods.

The Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and their five disciples

The church bears the name Sveti Sedmochislenitsi (the Holy Seven) and is on Graf Ignatiev St., close to Patriarch Evtimii Blvd. It was built in 1528 by the Turkish architect Sinan and was originally a mosque, called the Black Mosque due to the black marble of its minarets. It was later refurbished to serve the needs of Orthodox Christians, but its monumental naos is preserved.

The 'St. Nikolai' Russian Church

Built in 1912 by Russian workmen, this church on the corner of Tsar Osvboditel Blvd. and Benkovski St. preserves the style of Moscow decorative arts, painting and architecture. The high dome is surrounded by four smaller domes.
The roof of the church and above the door is covered with green majolica tiles, which harmonise perfectly with the gold-plated domes. The external decoration of the Russian church is a joy to behold with its exquisite and rich colours.
The frescoes were painted in the style of the Novgorod icon school.

The Banya Bashi Mosque

This is a typical monument of Homan architecture which adds colour to Sofia city centre. It was built in 1576 by the famous Turkish architect who also built the Sultan Selim mosque in the town of Edrine in Turkey. Loudspeakers on the tall minaret call worshippers to prayer. On Maria Luiza Blvd., oposite Halite.

The Synagogue

The Sofia Synagogue, which was designed by the architect Grunanger on 1910, has been recently refurbished both inside and out, and now is a sight not to be missed. It was opened for worship in 1909. The building is in Spanish-Moorish style, with a onion-shaped dome lit by the biggest chandelier on the Balkans. On Ekzarh Yosif and Washington St., behind Halite.

Boyana Church

This is one of Bulgaria's most significant historical treasures dating back to the 13th century and is on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Most remarkable are the murals, painted by an unknown artist, which exhibit a new humanistic tendency in mediaeval art. 240 realistic figures, bearing the features of Bulgarian life at that time, are depicted in biblical scenes on the walls of the church. Some of the murals have recently undergone restoration and the church is not always open to visitors. A museum nearby shows photographs of the murals, items from the church and a video in several languages.

Dragalevtsi Monastery

The 'Vitosha Virgin Mary' is approximately one and a half km walk up from the village itself in the woods. The monastery was founded in 1345 by Tsar Ivan Alexander and expanded by his son Tsar Ivan Shishman. During the period of Turkish rule in Bulgaria the monastery was a centre of Bulgarian education and culture, the national hero Vasil Levski is known to have stayed there often. Of particular interest are the 15th century murals.

OTHER NOTABLE BUILDINGS

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre
This theatre in the city park is a model of Baroque architecture. Along the facade of this majestic building, six columns with beautiful capitals support a large triangular pediment, decorated with mythological high reliefs. To the sides two towers rise up, topped by sculptures of the Goddess Nike. If you visit the park in front of it you will have the unique experience of witnessing men of all ages, peacefully playing chess around the fountains, which although recently repaired are now off.
Central Market Hall (Halite)
Recently re-opened, this beautiful building was built in 1910. It was the first of its kind in Bulgaria where the sale of food was centralized and subjected to sanitary regulations. Its architectural style can be described as neo- Byzantine, in visual harmony with the nearby Banya Bashi Mosque and the Central Baths. The Hali are once again a food market as well as a modern shopping mall and a food court.
The Alexander Battenberg Mausoleum
At Vasil Levski Blvd., this pretty and harmonious building is a fine example of Neo-Baroque architecture. It was built in 1892, after an international architectural competition where a German entry was awarded. Later on, the Swiss architect Meier was commissioned and his designs were used for the building.
The National Opera House
Situated in one of the most impressive buildings in Sofia on the corner of Rakovski St. and Dondukov Blvd. Ten columns are lined up along the main facade, above which a rich frieze illustrates the struggle of the Bulgarian nation against fascism. The foyers, balconies and large hall are decorated with multi-coloured marble, paintings showing scenes from different operas, and exquisite plaster ornaments.
National Assembly
The Parliament (National Assembly) building, listed as a cultural monument, is situated on the square of the same name on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. It was built in three stages from 1884 to 1928, on plans of the Viennese architect Yovanovich. Above the main entrance runs the slogan "Unity makes Strength" (Obedinenieto Pravi Silata). In January 1997 the building was stormed and damaged by angry protestors that led to the eventual downfall of the socialist government.
The Central Baths
'Tsentralnata Banya' in Bulgarian. This colorful building with ceramic mosaics on the facades is built on the site of a former smaller Ottoman bath. It was open for public in 1911 as a public bath with separate facilities for men and women. It is currently being refurbished to become partly a museum of the city and partly a hydrotherapy center. Its front yard is usually full of people queuing to fill hot water from the mineral spring, rich in sulfur and other minerals. Of Maria Luiza Blvd., behind the Banya Bashi Mosque.
The 'Kliment Ohridski' University of Sofia
This is an imposing Baroque-style building on the corner of Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. and Vassil Levski Blvd. On both sides of the main entrance are the statues of the two brothers, Hristo and Evlogii Georgiev, who donated the land and money for the founding of the university.
The Party House
Occupying the intersection of two of the city's main boulevards with the central square, this imposing building strikes even the ignorant as being 'something important'. Until August 1990 it was the seat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. Smoke-blackened walls from protests in the summer of 1990 are still to be seen, and where the gigantic red five-point star used to be atop the big black pole, the flag of the Republic of Bulgaria now flies. Currently home to St. Sofia Hall which hosts concerts and other events.
National Palace of Culture
Usually referred to as NDK. This spaceship-like modern building, which you cannot miss near the top end of Vitosha Blvd was opened in 1981 at enormous cost to the nation reflected in much of the original and dramatic art commissioned for the building. The several-building complex serves as a congress centre and also houses several large concert halls, exhibition space, offices, cinemas, restaurants and shops. The pedestrian area outside provides countless open air cafes and entertainment rides for young children. The fountains in front were restored in 1999 and are a delight to behold in spring and summer.