When you enter Geo Milev Park today, you might not immediately realise that this is a place that has been waiting for decades to become a true urban oasis. After the war, there was land, space and greenery here… but no vision. The real revival didn’t come until 1968, when Sofia was preparing to host a youth festival. It was then that the park was fitted with paths, fountains and sports grounds.

Today, people spend carefree and happy moments with their families and friends, enjoying picnics, get-togethers and sporting activities. Long before the park was established, however, this part of the city attracted the people of Sofia because of the Church of the Holy Trinity, situated at the highest point of the Slatina Redoubt. It is said that as early as the 4th century there was a monastery here, associated with the Council of Serdica. It is no coincidence that Manastirska Street bears this name.

Construction of the church began in the 1930s, and the official consecration took place at the end of November 1943, performed personally by Exarch Stefan. Many of the neighbourhood’s residents donated funds and land for the completion of the church, and the first priest – Father Krustyo – approached Princess Evdokia with a request for a contribution of 1,800,000 leva to cover the cost of the church. The royal family responded to the request.

The history of the church reveals other examples of human devotion. The teacher, Grandma Spasa Geleva, dreamt that there was an ancient church on this site. The dream became reality – and she devoted her life to its construction. After her death in 1919, she was buried in the churchyard. Beside her lies the Slatinska fortune-teller – Baba Linka. The two remain forever by the church they created with faith, dreams and donations.