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Sofia - Bulgaria
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| About Sofia |
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Any visitor to the city of Sofia will find that it has a compact center where virtually all of its main sights are within walking distance. You will find most of these sights around Aleksander Batenberg Square, Narodno Sabranie Square and Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard, an area with yellow bricksas it's paving.
The best shops in the city are on Vitosha and Stamboliski Boulevards and in the National Palace of Culture's underpass . The biggest department store in Sofia is TSUM which is just north of Sveta Nedelia Square. Shopping in Sofia for items such as leather goods and crafts offer very good value.
When it comes to art, Sofia has galleries for contemporary art, ceramics and sculptures which are opening up all the time. The city's small street markets, such as the Rimskata Stena Market are worth a visit where vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs are sold.
Sofia has wide selection of museums to visit. The city's National History Museum which was established in 1981 to celebrate 1300 years of Bulgarian statehood, has undoubtedly has the finest collection. You will find Thracian gold treasures are spaciously displayed, often singly, so they can be fully appreciated. Artefacts such as bas-reliefs, ceramics and silverware reveal the achievements of the medieval capitals, and there is a strong collection of material from the National Revival period, including folk artefacts.
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| The Birth of Sofia |
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The birth of Sofia dates back thousands of years. Through the years, it's inhabitants have added to its rich and diverse history. There have been a number of Neolithic villages discovered in the area, while in the very center of modern Sofia a chalocolithic settlement has been recently discovered.
In the 7th century BC the Thracian Serdi tribe settled there and named the place Serdica. The Byzantines called it Triaditsa and the Slavs, Sredets. The modern city of Sofia was named in the 14th century after the basilica St. Sofia.The word sofia means wisdom, in Greek. In the 3rd century AD, the Romans built strong walls around Serdica, their capital of Inner Dacia and an important stopping point on the Roman road from Naisus to Constantinople.
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| What to see and do in Sofia |
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Eating
In Sofia, the best places to eat are invariably busy and you would be well advised to book a few days in advance. Most of the Sofia's restaurants are open from midday through the afternoon to 11pm or midnight. Tipping is expected, even in cafes, although you should check that a 10-15% service charge has not already been added to your bill.
Traditional Bulgarian Restaurants
The taverns outside Sofia will offer you the real taste of Bulgaria. Most of these feature folk style interior, traditional dishes and drinks, and even waiters in national costume. They are favorite weekend spots because of their scenic location with a view of the natural scenery surrounding Sofia.
Shopping
The main area to shop in Sofia is Vitosha Blvd., Graf Ignatiev St., Rakovski St. and all the streets leading off from them. In the main Department Store, near St. Nedelia church, you will find a bit of everything and is constantly being modernized. If you wander around the central the city's back streets you will come across some interesting shops.
Opening Hours
The opening times for most shops in Sofia is about 10am to 7 pm on weekdays and till 1 pm on Saturdays, though there are many 24-hour food shops in the center and private shops which now open on Saturday afternoons.
Public Transport
Sofia has a shortage of parking spaces so it may be bet to travel around the city by tram, bus, or trolley bus than by car . Public transport runs from 5am till midnight for buses and trolley buses and till 1am for trams. Tickets are for single trip and are sold at kiosks at the major stops, at newsstands or in driver's cabin. You have to punch these tickets inside the vehicle. If you transfer you must use another. Tickets are inspected at random by conductor.
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| Places to visit in Sofia |
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As well as numerous museums to visit on your stay in Sofia, there are also other interesting buildings to visit, here are a few:
The "Kliment Ohridski" University of
Sofia
This Baroque-style building can be found on the corner of Tsar Osvoboditel
Blvd. and Vassil Levski Blvd. On the both sides of the main entrance
are the statues of the two brothers, Hristo and Evlogi Georgiev, who
donated the land and money for the founding of the university.
The Central Baths
This beautiful and mosaicked building behind Main department Store is the former
Turkish mineral baths.Nearby is the mineral water spring.
National Assembly
This building, listed as a cultural monument, can be found on the square of the
same name on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. It was built in three stages from
1884 to 1928, on plans of the Viennese architect Yovanovich. Above
the main entrance runs the slogan "Unity Makes Strength".
The National Opera House
This is situated in one of the most impressive buildings in Sofia on the corner
of Rakovski St. and Doundukov Blvd. Ten columns are lined up along
the main facade, above which a rich frieze illustrates the struggle
of the Bulgarian nation against fascism. The foyers, balconies and
large hall are decorated with a multi-colored marble, paintings showing
scenes from different operas, and exquisite plaster ornaments.
The Ivan Vazov National Theater
This theatre, found in the city park is a model of the Baroque architecture found
in Sofia. Along the facade of this majestic building six columns with
beautiful capital support a large triangular pediment, decorated with
mythological high reliefs. |
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