Sofia’s Largo, officially known as ‘Independence Square’, is the spot right in the heart of Sofia where you’ll find yourself at the crossroads of the city’s several thousand years of history. Covering an area of around two hundred square metres, you can witness a remarkable blend of cultural, historical, religious and ethnic layers, the unique combination of which makes Sofia a true #soEurope hub of civilisations and cultures. 

Take a 360-degree look around and you’ll see an Orthodox and a Catholic church, a synagogue and a mosque, as well as the Central Department Store with its monumental socialist-era architecture, right next to the excavations of the ancient Roman fortress of Serdica. 

The Council of Ministers and the National Assembly building, which also served as the headquarters of the Communist Party, continue the historical narrative alongside the Presidential Palace and the imposing building of the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as the new statue of Saint Sophia and the historic Church of Saint Nedelya on the other side, near the crypt containing the ancient Roman tomb, atop which stands the 14th-century Church of St Petka. 

The square is a crossroads in so many ways – it brings together religions and historical narratives spanning so many eras. Today, this place is also a literal crossroads and a major transport hub, connecting the city’s main boulevards. Today, the square is also a symbol of democracy and the voice of the people, as the site of the largest civil protests over the past decades.