Location info: Sofia

Sofia is situated on an open plain between the Balkan Mountains to the north and the Rila Mountains to the south. The capital of Bulgaria, stands 550m (1804ft) above sea level. Owing to its altitude, the summers are moderately hot and the winters cold and snowy.

Business guide

The World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development have offices in Sofia, as do the business consultants PriceWaterhouse-Coopers, KPMG and Ernst & Young. The main business districts in Sofia are located on Vitosha Boulevard and in the Sveta Nedelya area.

Public Transport

The city transport authority is the Ministry of Transport and Communications , which operates trams, buses and trolley buses. Trams operate from 05:00-01:00, while buses and trolley buses operate from 05:00-24:00. There are no night services. There is also a single metro line, northwest from Ploshtad Sveta Nedelya to the Lyulin suburb. Plans to extend the underground system have made little progress.

Tickets cost Lv0.40 and are sold at pavilion situated at the major bus stops or newsagents. Once on board, tickets should be validated using the metal punchers located near the windows – failure to do so risks a Lv4 fine.

Passes or transit cards, valid for one day, five days or one month, are also available, costing Lv2, Lv9 and Lv37 respectively.

Taxi

Taxis are yellow and operated by kilometer. Official charges are – Lv 0.30 – 0.50 per kilometer.

Okay Supertrans : 973 21 21
Yes Taxi : 91119
Taxi S Express : 9 12 80s

Sightseeing

Most famous sites in Sofia are: the Cathedral and memorial church of St. Alexander Nevski (biggest Christian church on the Balkan Peninsula), the Crypt, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier with eternal flame burning, the St. Sophia church (dating from the 4th-6th century AD), the National Gallery of Foreign Arts, the National Theatre “Ivan Vazov”, the National Assembly, the National Art Gallery, the National Ethnographic Museum (the ex-palace of Bulgarian kings), the Russian church “St. Nikolai”, the church “St. George (4th century AD) and many others.

ALEKSANDER NEVSKI CATHEDRAL

Completed in 1912 in honor of the Russian casualties of the 1877-78 War of Liberation from Ottoman Rule. Gold-domed, it is the finest piece of architecture in the Balkans. Craftsmen and artists from 6 countries worked on the five-aisle church in the course of 30 years and created real masterpieces of icons, frescoes, murals and huge chandeliers. The interior decoration made of Italian marble. Egyptian alabaster, Brazilian onyx, gold, mosaics embodies the spirit of the finest Eastern Orthodox traditions. A superb collection of icons - the best in Bulgaria - can also be seen in the Crypt.

ROTUNDA OF ST. GEORGE

One of the oldest building in Sofia – Rotunda of St. George is situated behind the Sheraton Hotel, amid remains of the ancient town of Serdica. Three layers of frescoes have been discovered, the earliest dating back to the 10th century. Magnificent frescoes of 22 prophets over 2 metres tall crown the dome.

ST. SOFIA CHURCH

The 4th-6th century basilica was built during the reign of Justinian. It has survived intact with 1600- year-old mosaic details. Beside the wall of the church is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. During the Turkish rule minarets were added and the church functioned as a mosque until two earthquakes in the 19th century destroyed one of the minarets and the mosque was abandoned. Restoration work was begun after 1900. The present building is a cross basilica with three altars.

THE CHURCH OF ST. NEDELYA (Opposite the Sheraton Hotel)

Built in medieval times and known as the Church of the Blessed Sveti Kral. The current building was reconstructed after 1925 when it was almost completely destroyed by a bomb explosion.

THE 'ST. NIKOLAI' RUSSIAN CHURCH

Built in 1912 by Russian workmen, this church on the corner of Tsar Osvboditel Blvd. and Benkovski St. preserves the style of Moscow decorative arts, painting and architecture. The high dome is surrounded by four smaller domes.

The roof of the church and above the door is covered with green majolica tiles, which harmonize perfectly with the gold-plated domes. The external decoration of the Russian church is a joy to behold with its exquisite and rich colours.
The frescoes were painted in the style of the Novgorod icon school.

VASSIL LEVSKI MONUMENT

Vassil Levski was the principal architect of the campaign to free Bulgaria from the oppression of the Ottoman Empire. The monument marks the spot where he was hanged by the Turks in 1873s

SOFIA UNIVERSITY

The country's most prestigious university.

It was built a decade after Sofia became Bulgaria's capital in 1879 with funds bequeathed by the brothers Evlogi and Christo Georgiev.

THE NATIONAL PALACE OF CULTURE

The biggest Congress Centre in the Balkans. It is located in the centre of the city and faces the Vitosha Mountain

DRAGALEVTSI

A suburb in the woods at the foot of Mount Vitosha. About 3 km further on is DRAGALEVTSI MONASTERY, founded in 1345 by Tsar Ivan Alexander. The church, which is part of the original monastery, often sheltered the Apostle of Freedom Vassil Levski.

BOYANA

A suburb at the foot of Mount Vitosha, notable for the BOYANA CHURCH, built in the 13th century. Frescoes are claimed to be among the oldest and most interesting examples of East European Medieval art. Like Rila Monastery, the BOYANA CHURCH has been listed by UNESCO as a part of the world s cultural heritage.

MOUNT VITOSHA

It has become very much a part of Sofia owing to its accessibility by means of the cabin lifts at Knyazhevo and Simeonovo. Cherni Vrah, the highest point, gives wonderful views over the whole region. The winter ski-resort Aleko lies at 1868 m and the ski season lasts from early December until late spring. The beautiful scenery makes the whole area attractive throughout the year.

Culture

Theatre: The theatre season runs from early October to late June. Naturally, plays are staged in Bulgarian but the high standard of the performances can make a visit to the theatre a memorable experience. Tickets cost Lv4-10. Naroden Teatar Ivan Vazov (Ivan Vazov National Theatre), 1A Vassil Levski Boulevard, is an impressive neo-classical building and home to the national theatre company. Works by eminent Bulgarians and classical writers are staged here. Sofia is famous for a sophisticated puppet tradition and it is not all geared for children – Kuklen Teatar (Central Puppet Theatre), 14 General Gurko Ulica , gives regular performances for all ages. NATFIZ (National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts), 108A Rakovski Str., puts on a range of experimental performances, including mime.

Dance: The Sofia National Opera, 1 Vrabcha Str., hosts ballet in Sofia.

Film: Sofia has around 20 cinemas. The best places are Multiplex United New Cinema, Mir, FX Cinema Nescafe.

Cultural events: Sofia Music Weeks run through late May to late July. The program features classical music, attracting international soloists and ensembles, as well as ballet
Folklore festivals are popular throughout the country.

Shopping

The main shopping areas center on Vitosha Boulevard, Graf Ignatiev Street and Rakovski Street. Standard working hours are 09:00 – 18:00. Souvenirs, such as reproduction icons, Russian dolls, jewelry, ceramics, wooden items, embroidered tablecloths and lace are for sale at stalls in front of Alexander Nevski church. The Bulgarian Union of Artists, 6 Shipka Str., offers arts and crafts pieces at reasonable prices.

VAT in Bulgaria is 20%.

Casinos: Casino Princess, in the Hotel Princess, 31 Maria Louiza Boulevard, claims to be Bulgaria’s biggest casino. The luxurious International Casino Club Sofia is situated within the Sheraton Hotel, 5 Ploshtad Sveta Nedelya. Both require a passport for entry (minimum age 18 years) but do not operate a dress code.

Clubs: Sofia’s clubs play music ranging from techno to jazz and rock to salsa.
Caramba, Chervilo, Escape, Tequila, etc.