The golden-domed Alexander Nevski Cathedral has become a symbol of the city. It is remarkable for its marble entrance, stained glass windows, Venetian mosaics, dramatic frescoes, and onyx and alabaster columns. They say that the sound of its bells can be heard 30 km away in good weather. The cathedral’s crypt houses the richest icon collection in the Balkans. The St. George Rotunda, set among the excavations of ancient Roman ruins, dates back to the 4th Sofia is rich in parks, fountains and greenery that add to its friendly atmosphere. The National Theatre is a beautiful example of 19th-century architecture amidst the City Garden, buzzing with stylish street cafes. The Boyana Church is set among pine trees in a suburb at the foothill of the Vitosha Mountain. Dating back to the 11th century, its frescoes are a remarkable example of realistic art a century earlier than the Italian Renaissance. It has been included in the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage.
Kazanlak is the capital of the Rose Valley, the town of roses and of Thracian kings. Here, the climate and the soils are extremely favourable for the growing of the famous Bulgarian oleaginous rose as well as of other plants from which essential oils are produced: peppermint, lavender, etc. Every year in early June, the Rose Festival is held here: a unique experience of
Veliko Tarnovo is the Medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12th – 14th c.). It is situated picturesquely on the meanders of the river Yantra. Tourist attractions include the Medieval fortress of Tsarevets, the residence of Bulgarian kings and high priests, and the beautiful architecture of the old town with its shopping street where small craft shops offer traditional pottery, jewellery, copper vessels, knives, woodcarvings, etc.
Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria, the capital of the Black Sea coast. A city with a long history, it boasts Roman baths, a Chalcolitic Necropolis, the world’s oldest gold treasure in its Archaeological Museum, and a beautiful Marine Park. Further north lies Balchik with its fabulous Botanical Gardens around the one-time palace of the Romanian Queen. Cape Kaliakra boasts breathtaking views of the sea and the rocky shore, as well as a small archeological collection and a chapel. About 100 km south of Varna, on a small peninsula, lies the splendid museum town of Nesebar with its timbered houses, cobbled streets and well-preserved Medieval churches.
The Madara Horseman is the only rock relief in Europe. The Ivanovo Rock Monastery is a natural museum of Medieval Bulgarian painting. The Thracian tomb at Sveshtari is a unique monument of Thracian art.
Colorful festivals such as the famous Rose Festival in June attract visitors from around the globe. Many ancient traditions have been preserved through the ages to date.
A country blessed with excellent climatic conditions, Bulgaria grows abundant and fragrant vegetables and fruits, and is the home of the world-famous yoghurt, the food of longevity and good health.
Location: Bulgaria is located in South-Eastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Romania on the north, Serbia and Macedonia on the west, Greece and Turkey on the south, and the Black Sea on the east. Territory: 110912 km2 Population: ca. 8 million Capital: Sofia (1.2 million) Religion: Eastern-Orthodox (85%); Muslim (8%); others (7%) Climate: temperate, with Mediterranean influence in the south. Four strongly expressed seasons, with cold and snowy winter, hot summer and mild spring and autumn. Official holidays:
Voltage: 220 V, 50 Hz Time zone: GMT+2 hours Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN), 1 BGN = 0.51 EUR |
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Bulgaria’s capital is a unique blend of 7000 years of history and the hectic rhythm of modern life. “Ever growing, never aging”: the motto of the city best describes the essence of Bulgaria’s beating heart at the foothills of the majestic Vitosha Mountain, where modern luxury hotels, banks, office buildings and shopping centres rise next to Roman ruins, magnificent churches and charming art galleries, and where stylish restaurants and cozy cafes cater to every taste.
century and is Sofia’s oldest preserved building. Nowadays the beautifully restored church often hosts art exhibitions and concerts.
Bulgaria’s largest and most impressive monastery, one of the monuments on the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage, it situated in the Rila Mountain at an altitude of 1150 metres. The monastery was founded in the 10th century by the hermit St. John of Rila whose relics are still kept in the church and are believed to have miraculous properties. In the 14th century, the monastery became an influential spiritual centre. Later, during the centuries of Ottoman rule, it played a major role in the preservation of the national spirit and identity, as well as of the Bulgarian letters and cultural heritage. Nowadays, the museum at the monastery boasts a lavish collection of precious old manuscripts, icons, jewellery, and masterpieces of woodcarving, including a remarkable double-sided cross carved by a monk from a single piece of wood and depicting in miniature 104 religious scenes and 650 figures.
Plovdiv is saituated on the banks of the Maritsa river, initially on seven hills (of which three have been preserved to date), in the centre of the fertile Thracian plain. Bulgaria’s second largest city has a 3000-yeasr-long and eventful history, and displays remains from Thracian, classical Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Bulgarian Revival culture. Plovdiv is also a major modern administrative, cultural and industrial centre, and the site of the two greatest trade fairs in Bulgaria, in May and October.
rose picking and rose boiling, street parades, songs, dances and the election of a Rose Queen. The Rose Museum presents the traditions in rose growing and the production of the best-quality rose oil in the world.
Bulgaria is known around the world for its incredible folklore songs and Orthodox chants. A Bulgarian song from the region of the Rhodopes is travelling aboard the Voyager spaceship as part of the Earth’s message to alien civilizations.
