SoSofia.com

A monastery so big that could be seen from far away if the mountains of Rila weren’t blocking the view. In fact, it is the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Since its establishment in the 10th century, the place becomes an important cultural and ideological center for generations to come.
Its founder, St. John of Rila lived in a nearby cave and his students built the complex supported by influential people and rulers.

During the years, the monastery was damaged many times, either by fires or by the invasion of the Ottomans. Throughout their occupation that started in the 14th century until 1878, the cultural and social life of the Bulgarians was on decline. Nevertheless, the monastery never ceased to function, supporting and giving hope to the whole nation.
Nowadays, the monastery is one of the most famous touristic destinations on the Balkans. It is on 117 km south of Sofia, which makes it reachable within a day. The symbols it embodies and the hope it has preserved despite all the difficulties show the unity and the unbreakable spirit of our nation.

By going to Rila monastery, you can enjoy lots of traditional food! The mekitzi are simply a must – they are like beignets or donuts but not quite. Also, very typical for the region is the kachamak.

The name Nedelya in Bulgarian means Sunday.
It is an important facility for it is the cathedral of the Sofia bishopric of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
Built during the Medieval ages and gone through many demolitions and then reconstructions, it is not known much about its history.
Nowadays, the remains of the Serbian king Stefan Milutin are kept there, therefore St. Nedelya is also known as St. King.
The church is also famous for an event happened on 16th of April 1925 during the funeral of general Konstantin Georgiev.
This is the biggest terrorist attack in Bulgaria’s history meant to assassin Tsar Boris the 3rd and the country’s political and military elite.
However, the tsar did not make it on time and 25kg of explosives went off to kill 150 people and around 500 were the injured. The attack had serious political and social consequences.
St. Nedelya church is on St. Nedelya square, next to Sheraton Hotel and Tzum. It is at the end of Vitosha boulevard.

The church has an interesting story beginning in 16th century.

Initially, it was build with the idea of being a mosque celebrating the greatness of vizier Mehmed Sokolu, and indeed, it functioned as such till 19th century.

The great Ottoman architect Sinan is believed to be the designer but this is not proved. However, he is the architect of Banya Bashi mosque, right next to TZUM and Central Public Spa.
Nowadays most of the people don’t even suspect that this church had such history.

In the past, it was known also as “the black mosque” because of the black granite used in the construction of the minaret.
During the 19th century, an earthquake partly ruins the building and as a result it has been abandoned. After Bulgaria’s independence, the mosque was turned into a military depot and then a jail.

The happy end is in 1903, when after its restoration, the church Sveti Sedmichislenitsi officially has been inaugurated. It is named after St. Cyril and Methodius and their 5 deciples who popularised the Cyrillic alphabet.

The church is on Graf Ignatiev street.

On this picture you can see the mosque, the square with fountain in the middle and parts of Central Public Spa.

The mosque is situated in the centre of Sofia, where the Central Department Store (TZUM) and Central Market Hall (Halite) are.
The name of the temple – Banya Bashi (many baths) – comes from the place it is built on – its foundations are laid upon natural thermal springs.

Built during the 16th century, it is one of the oldest mosques in Europe. During that time Bulgaria was under the Ottoman yoke and our capital was an important administrative center for the empire. It is said that about 50 mosques were functioning during the 17th century. Nowadays, Banya Bashi is the only one in Sofia that is open for Muslims.
Its architecture is typical of the period and it is designed by Sinan who was a prominent Tukish figure.
The large dome is impressive and note the minaret adorned with loudspeakers who summon the worshippers to prayer.

Nowadays, you can see the red brick rotunda surrounded by the buildings of the Presidency, behind Sheraton Hotel.

Built by the Romans in the 4th century AD, it is considered the oldest building in our capital. Scientists have discovered 3 layers of frescoes, the earliest of which dates back to the 10th century.

During the Ottoman Empire, the building was painted and used as a mosque.

After a long period of restoration, the layer of paint is removed and the images of 22 prophets are revealed on the main dome.

Near this rotunda, the St. Nedelya church, TZUM and Archaeological Museum are situated.

Named after St. Nicholas II, the church was build in 1882 – shortly after the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. On its place before that was the Saray Mosque.

The Russian architect Mikhail Preoblazhenski designed the building which construction coincided with the building of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral nearby. The style is Russian Revival Style and it reminds very much of the Muscovite Russian churches in Moscow dating from the 17th century. This is one of the reasons why almost everyone call the church Ruskata curkva (the Russian Church)

It has 5 gold-plated domes and the bells were donated by Emperor Nicholas II.

Under the building there is a crypt which entrance is sidelong the main one. In it the remains of St. Archbishop Seraphim are laid. A tradition is to go in the crypt and write down on a piece of paper your wishes.

The church is right next to the National Museum of Natural History and very close to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Built in 1083, during the Byzantine period, the monastery is a beautiful place with lots of tradition and history.

It is about 10 km south from the town of Assenovgrad and Assen’s Fortress in the valley of Chaya River. On all sides, the monastery complex is surrounded by the hills of Rhodopi Mountain.

During the Second Bulgarian Empire, the monastery’s patron was Tsar Ivan Alexander and you can see his image on the archs of the ossuary.
Later on, a school was established there.

One of the medieval churches in the complex – St. Archangels Church dating from the 12th century, was painted in 1841 by Zahari Zograf – a famous Bulgarinan painter often regarded as the founder of the Bulgarian secular art.

This monastery is one of the most visited places in our country and the tourism in this area is very well developed. Before reaching the monastery itself, you will find lots of small shops offering home-made jams, yoghurt, herbs found in Rhodopi Mountain, or traditional plates. The restaurants are not hard to find as well – they all offer delicious traditional dishes.

Assenovgrad is about 170 km away from Sofia. You can travel with a train, a bus or a car. From Assenovgrad you can take a bus from the local bus station. They go to Bachkovo Monastery on a regular basis.

Every time I go to Assen’s fortress I repeat all the time that this is one of my favorite places in Bulgaria. There’s something in the air. It doesn’t matter at what season you will go there, you will be impressed by the atmosphere and the view that opens when you climb on the top – the whole valley is seen from there.

The medieval fortress is built on a huge rock above the gorge where Assenitsa River flows, 2 km south of what is today the city of Assenovgrad, near Plovdiv. Its former names are Petrich, Stenimachos, Scribencion. The basics of the building are laid in the 11th century during the Bizantine period and its function was to guard the Aegean passage and to keep the population from invaders. The only preserved building is St. Mary of Petrich church built in the 12th century.

The fortress is declared a national monument of culture.

Admission is free.

Assenovgrad is about 170 km away from Sofia. You can travel with a train, a bus or a car. Once you are in the city you can reach the fortress with a taxi or just take a walk through a nice alley that leads there. From the train station is 3 km, from the city centre is 4 km.

Very close to the fortress, about 10 km, is Bachkovo Monastery – the second largest monastery in Bulgaria.

Our capital is named after this basilica.

St. Sofia Church is one of the oldest churches in Sofia. It is situated on St. Alexander Nevsky Square, where Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and The Gallery For Foreign Art are.
The church was build from bricks and lime on several stages until its completion in sixth century.

Under the church there are over 100 tombs which are in the process of excavating. On one of its sides, you will see The Eternal Flame monument that is in honor of the people who died for the liberation of Bulgaria in the nineteenth century.

The crypt is located on the underground floor of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

Initially, it was intended to be a tomb for highly regarded priests but since 1965, it has been a department of the National Art Gallery.

It is a very interesting place – in the crypt you will find an excellent collection of old Bulgarian art – Orthodox icons made in different periods. The oldest one dates from the 10th centrury.

Tel: (+359 2) 877 697, Open: 10:30 – 12:30 / 14:00 – 18:30, closed on Mondays