Sofia - A positive surprise
This past August I had to go to Sofia for a business trip and I took the opportunity to stay for two extra days to explore Sofia, as I have never visited before.
Sofia is the capital of the Balkan nation of Bulgaria. With a population of about 1 250 000, it's in the west of the country, below the famous Vitosha Mountain. The city's landmarks reflect more than 2000 years of history (A Fact that I did not know), including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet Occupation.
As this was such a positive experience, my wife and I decided we have to come back with more time and explore Sophia.
The Statue of Saint Sophia
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| Saint Sofia |
The statue, erected in 2000, stands in a spot once occupied by a statue of Lenin.
Sophia was considered too erotic and pagan to be referred to as a saint. 24 feet in height, the copper and bronze statue by the sculptor Georgi Chapkanov, stands on a 48 feet high pedestal. Adorned with the symbols of power (crown), fame (wreath) and wisdom (owl), the crown is also a reference to the Goddess of Fate – Tyche, inspired by the old emblem of Sofia dating back to 1900
Interesting Facts
- A national symbol, Sofia’s onion-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral commemorates Russian soldiers killed during the 19th-century Russo-Turkish War.
- The floor of Saint Sofia Church is covered with early Christian mosaics.
- The National Archaeological Museum (in a former mosque) houses a gold Thracian burial mask.
- The 19th-century royal Vrana Palace now contains museums of fine art and ethnology.
- The huge, 20th-century National Palace of Culture stages concerts and an annual film festival.
- On Vitosha Mountain, Vitosha Nature Park is popular for hiking, mountain biking, summer stays in huts and chalets, and skiing in winter.
Information on some photos
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia.
Built in Neo-Byzantine style, it serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and it is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of Sofia's symbols and primary tourist attractions. The Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia occupies an area of 3,170 square metres (34,100 sq ft) and can hold 10,000 people inside. It is the second-largest cathedral located on the Balkan Peninsula, after the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade.
Central Sophia Market hall
The Central Sofia Market Hall, known popularly simply as "The Market Hall" is a covered market in the centre of Sofia, located on Marie Louise Boulevard. It was opened in 1911 and is today an important trade centre in the city.
Regional History Museum (Central mineral baths)
The Central Mineral Baths is a landmark in the centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, a city known for the mineral springs in the area. It was built in the early 20th century near the former Turkish bath and was used as the city's public baths until 1986
Sofia Courthouse
The Sofia Court House accommodates several courts in the city. Stylistically a simplistic yet monumental structure, it is located on 2 Vitosha Boulevard, surrounded by Alabin Street, Laveleye Street and Positano Street.
The need for a common building to house all the courts in Sofia was raised in 1926 with the foundation of the Judicial Buildings fund. Construction began in 1929 and finished in 1940. While it was the first structure in this strict monumental style in the city, it was followed by the Bulgarian National Bank in the 1930s and the Largo in the 1950s.
The initial architectural plans were the work of Nikola Lazarov, later redesigned by Pencho Koychev. The Court House has a syenite plinth, a facing of white limestone and a noticeable cornice below the top floor. The four-storey building (with two additional underground floors) spreads over a ground area of 8,500 square metres and has 430 premises, of which 24 courtrooms, a library and a bank hall, totalling 48,000 square metres of used area.
The facade features five large gates and 12 columns. In its style, the Court House is eclectic, uniting several classic themes, with a fourth floor instead of a baluster, as well as Roman and Byzantine style decorations on the doors, windows and corbels.
Saint Nadelya Church
St. Nedelya Church is an Eastern Orthodox church, a cathedral of the Sofia bishopric of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. Sveta Nedelya is a medieval church that has suffered destruction through the ages and has been reconstructed many times. The present building of the temple is among the landmarks of Sofia. It was designed by the famous Bulgarian architectural team Vasilyov - Tsolov.
Street photos
Other Photos
