An Introduction To Sofia For Travellers

By Daniel P. McGuire


Borisovata Gradina and the Ariana Lake together form the biggest and best recreational and leisure area in Sofia. It is located near the Eagles Bridge ( Orlov Most ) and is served by a varied mix of drinking and eating multinationals. Also beside it's the Vasil Levski National Stadium and Nationwide Sports Museum. The Street of the Greats - a net of monuments to the artists and rulers, among many others, who all helped shape Bulgaria's history - can also be found here, as well as the Division stadium. Tennis courts and soccer grounds are also available to be used.

When the Serdi Thracian clan moved into the area that now surrounds Sofia thousands of years back, they had named it Serdica or Sardica. In the first century A. D it was occupied and made part of the Roman Empire. They made it a very important administrative town which was to quickly develop and become capable of protecting itself. An amphitheatre, basilica and public baths were also built. More humans moved into the area, eventually making it a centre for trade. As the Roman Empire became Christian, it might end up as a major city for the Byzantine Empire. In the early 5th century the Huns invaded, and the city was wrecked. Nonetheless rebuilding shortly started and the new city was given the new name of Triaditsa. While it was often attacked and damaged over the following centuries, Byzantine rule remained prepared. Around five hundred AD the Church of St. Sophia was built, which was to later lend the city its name. In the early 9th century, the city, which at about that point was called Sredets, was named the center of the Bulgarian Empire. Over the next few centuries the city would change hands repeatedly between the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires. In 1376 the city became permanently known as Sofia. At about that point it was regarded as having a name for its gold and hand made products.

If Sofia has a secret, it is Tiny Jerusalem ( Sveta Gora ). What it lacks in size, it more than makes up in culture and history, which frequently comes as a surprise to several who discover it. This gorgeous area is composed of fourteen Orthodox monasteries, hidden away in picture postcard villages near the capital. A number of these look out over the expanse of the wonderful Pancharevo Lake, into that the Iskar River flows.

In the late 19th century Bulgaria turned into a free country after the Russo-Turkish War, thanks to the victorious Russians. Sofia was crowned the capital city of the Realm of Bulgaria the next year, which about thirty years later would become the Kingdom of Bulgaria. It is kind of ironic the most agitated period in the history of the city arrived after it gained its freedom. After the Russian Revolution of February 1917, those who were anti monarchy and anti war made their feelings increasingly felt, culminating in the St. Nedelya Church being attacked by the Bulgarian Red Party on April 16th 1925. 150 civilians died and a conservative guesstimate of 5 hundred were maimed. Their aim was to dent the control over the Bulgarian authorities so the communists could overthrow them.

Vitosha Boulevard starts at Sveta Nedelya Square and is where fashion lovers go to shop until they drop. There also are some excellent cafs in which to pick up some refreshments along the way. It leads to the Vitosha Mountain, from which you can look out over the city. The National Palace of Culture ( regionally termed the NDK ) is the highlight of the Boulevard. Many concerts and other notable events are held, due to its situation in a huge green area. An overhead walkway links the NDK Park to the South Park and Hilton Hotel.




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