One of the most recognizable symbols of Sofia and the biggest Orthodox temple at the Balkan peninsula. Its construction was initiated in 1882. The domes are covered with 8 кg pure gold, and the bell-tower has 12 bells, the heaviest among them all weighs 12 tonnes. The interior is elaborated in abundant fashion from coloured marbles, onyx and alabaster. In the crypt, at present – a museum – the most beautiful Bulgarian icons and wall paintings dating back to Middle Ages and Antiquity are located.

The building is among the most beautiful in Sofia. It was built back in 1888 with the money and onto the terrain of the rich tradesmens – the brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi. They donated it to Liberated Bulgaria to become a University. Their statues could be seen at both sides of the central staircase. Ever since then, until today, it is an operational educational institution, being the oldest and most prestigious university in Bulgaria.

The oldest museum and one of the three oldest buildings in Sofia, preserved up to its roof – former mosque, built in 1474. Its collection is one of the richest at the Balkan peninsula with around half a million exhibits. There is a huge collection with over 300 000 coins. The special treasury hall highlights the treasures and there you could see the Royal Thracian mask dating back to V century before Christ, made of 673 grams pure gold. It is quite compact to tour – do not miss it!

It was built more than 1700 years ago, at the time of Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337), when Serdika (present Sofia) used to be a big city, part of the Roman Empire. He used to say about the city “Serdika – my Rome”. It is located at several meters below the level of today’s city, it is preserved up to the roof and is believed to be the oldest building in Sofia. It carries the spirit of early Christianity and is part of a complex that includes preserved Roman street with sewerage system.

A Russian orthodox temple that was built in the tradition of the Russian church architecture. There are 5 gold-covered domes in the form of bulbs according to the example of the Russian temples dated back to the XVII century, combined with Old Russian mosaics and wood-carvings. The bells have been gifted by the Russian tsar Nikolay II. In the crypt at the left side the relics of the saint Saint Serafim are located. It is a tradition people to leave at special place letters with prayers and requests to the Saint. They say they come true!

“The magnificent building is still not yet a theatre. It would become one once inspired by actor’s play” – with these words, at the time of its opening in 1907 the Minister of education welcomed the actors. While following this covenant, today the theatre is the most renown theatre gathering point in Bulgaria. Its repertoire is rich, its troupe is masterfully selected among the best Bulgarian actors from various generations.

Take a walk through the millennial history of the city. Among the most precious exhibits is the golden carriage of Marie Antoinette, a gift for the wedding of the Bulgarian king Ferdinand by his mother – a French princess, king’s desk, gifted by the Chancellor Bismarck, a rare English clock, gifted by Queen Victoria, even a whole vehicle Mercedes-Benz – the first vehicle imported in Bulgaria, a bike of the “spider” type etc. You would see more than you would expect.

The Palace was built in 1882. The royal offices were located in it, there was also a private wing and a magnificent garden. Modern for its time, furnished in European style, with salons, winter gardens, library, and even an elevator. Most of the interior and the parks were destroyed after monarchy’s forceful resignation in Bulgaria. The palace was residence and office of three Bulgarian kings. Nowadays, the building hosts the exhibitions of the National Art Gallery and Ethnographic Museum.

Emblematic building and large-scale project dating back to the communist period. They say that for its construction the quantity of metal invested is almost equal to the one invested in the Eiffel Tower. It was built in the period of 1978-81, in order to become a modern cultural centre and place for exhibitions, concerts, theatre etc. Today, it keeps operating and hosting over 300 events annually with over 1 million visitors. Some of its guest-stars are Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Joe Cocker etc. The park that surrounds it is beautifully planted, performed with alleys, flowers and fountains.

The beautiful church is located in the centre of Sofia, at a square named the same way. This is the second biggest church in Sofia. Its first building dates back to the X century, yet because it was wooden, they decided to build at its place a new, more solid one, made of stone. Today it is one of the most popular churches in town. In 1925, a large-scale assault took place in it, during which over 200 people died. It aimed at killing the King, which only because of sudden change of circumstances didn’t happen.

The ancient basilica is an early Christian temple, one of the oldest in South-Eastern Europe and among the oldest operational in Europe. It was built in the V century and is one of capital city’s symbols; it is so famous that consequently the city was named after it – Sofia. Its catacombs are the only underground museum in Sofia. There one could see dozens of old tombs, richly painted, dating back to various periods, as well as fragments of preserved old Roman mosaics.

Serdika – the first known name of Sofia coming from the name of the Thracian tribe “Serdi” that used to live here as early as in the V century before Christ. Later the city was conquered by the Roman legions, it was assigned the statute of self-governing city that could mint its own coins. A stronghold was built around the city with four gates oriented in view of the directions of the world. The city was blooming. It had its own mineral spring – which is operational until today.

The richest museum in Bulgaria. Everything that is exhibited in it, was found solely in the Bulgarian lands. It is situated in the fields of Vitosha Mountain, in the former residence of the communist leader Todor Zhivkov. It stores over 650 000 exhibits dating back to the VI century BC until today. The most precious ones are cave drawings (III century BC), the golden Thracian treasures, among which the first processed gold in Europe (V century BC), golden medieval ring, which belonged to king Kaloyan, precious coins, manuscripts and items of the most prominent Bulgarians.

A small family church dating back to the X century, beautiful and very well-preserved. One of the most important cultural monuments in Bulgaria. Its frescos date back to 1259 are valuable collection of Medieval painting. Here we have the oldest most realistic portraits of Bulgarian medieval personalities – the local ruler Kaloyan and his wife Dessislava, just like the ones of the royal family, who ruled in the XIII century. The fresco Last Supper is interesting too, with invested typical Bulgarian foods, and the eyes of Saint Efrem are drawn in such a manner as if constantly following the visitor.

This is the residence of the Coburg dynasty, being ruled from 1887 to 1944. It was built in the beginning of the XХ century in the spirit of the European palaces. Inside there are ceilings of traditional Bulgarian wood-carving, gold-covered paneling, exquisite ceramic utensils “Delftware” inside, operational elevator, a whole dining-room gifted by the Russian tsar. The park results from Tsar Ferdinand’s passion for botanics and still carries his handwriting. There you could see rare flowers and trees. The lake with water lilies and magnolias are more than 100 years old.