Sofia - Bulgaria

My plane landed in Sofia late one evening.  Veska my sister in-law and Denislav her son met my brother and me at the airport.  On the way to Veska’s parents’ apartment, I managed a glimpse of the city.  As we reached the centre, I noticed a number of large arteries with imposing buildings.  Veska’s parents were away in Dragoinovo, at their summer country house so we had the use of their apartment for the next few days.

 

After a quick dinner; tomato and white cabbage salad, assorted cold meats and dips.  We finished the meal with some candied green figs and one of those deliciously creamy yogurt I had heard so much about.

Early that morning, breakfast taken, we headed to the city centre - My first real look at Sofia and impressions of an Eastern European city.  I saw many parks and manicured gardens scattered all over the city – very pleasant.  It was a hot day and people were enjoying the refreshing relief from the sun under some truly majestic trees.

Sofia - Parklands

The magnificent Batenberg Square where people meet to socialise and enjoy a drink with friends.

Sofia - Batenberg Square

Home to the country’s finest museums, galleries, restaurants and entertainment venues, Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria with a population of more than 1.5 million people.  The city is located in the western part of the country, within less than 50 kilometres drive from the Serbian border at an average altitude of 550 metres above sea level.  The city is known for its 49 mineral and thermal springs.

Sofia - Presidential Palace Guard

One of the commemorative statues scattered in the city centre of Sofia.

Sofia - Statue in Hommage of Bulgarian Pilots

This is a largely modern, youthful city with its old east-meets-west atmosphere still very evident.  Onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and Red Army monuments & statues share the skyline with modern shopping malls and five-star hotels.


Sofia - Alexander Nevski Catherdral

Another of the historical religious buildings of the city.

Sofia - Russian Church

Another style of religious architecture...

Sofia - Sveta Nedelia Church

The courthouse in the city centre.

Sofia - Courthouse

Sofia has a history of nearly 7000 years and it is the second oldest city in Europe.  Remains from a Neolithic settlement are traced to the 3rd-4th millennium BC.  In the 8th century BC, the Thracian tribe Serdi settled here and gave the city its first name “Serdika or Serdonpolis”.  The city's earliest official mention was in the 7th century BC.

Around 29 BC, the Romans conquered the city.  During that era, the emperor Constantine the Great referred to it as "my Rome".  It became one of the first Roman cities where Christianity was recognised as an official religion.  The city was destroyed in the 447 invasion of the Huns.  It was rebuilt by Byzantine Emperor Justinian.



Sofia - Sveti Georgi Church and Roman Ruins

The Roman Ruins are scattered all over the city of Sofia and are a constant reminder of the city's historical past.

Sofia - Roman Ruins in an underground passage

The city became part of the First Bulgarian Empire during the reign of Khan Krum in 809.  It fell to the Byzantine Empire in 1018.  In 1382, the city fell to the Ottomans.  It was liberated five centuries later, in 1878, and on April 3, 1879, it was declared the capital of the newly-liberated Bulgarian nation.  The city’s annual celebration is observed on 17 September, in honour of the martyrdom of Saint Sofia and her three daughters.

As I wandered the streets taking in the many sights, - From Roman ruins to orthodox churches to Red Army monuments and statues- I noticed some tourists – some Asian, others German, Swiss and French.  A car-free section of the city has recently been reserved to the public, offering fashion shops, cafes, restaurants.  One could have been in any other modern western city.  The women are very beautiful and take good care of themselves and their appearance.



Sofia - Russian Army Monument

One part of the Russian Army Monument photographed up close - this statue sits to the right of the main column. 

Sofia - Russian Army Monument

The left part of the Russian Army Monument photographed up close.

Sofia - Russian Army Monument

We purchased a few items from one of the many food shops displaying some appetising local gastronomy.  Back home, we lunched on some Lentil, cheese and stinging nettle rolls, a local sausage wrapped in pastry and a white cabbage and tomato salad.

Sofia - the food, Banica

Sofia - the food, Sausage & Stinging Nettle Rolls

Sofia - Local Beer

Sofia - the food, assorted Savoury Pastries

Soon after, Nasko – Veska’s cousin and his wife Vania picked us up en route for Melnik, one of the cutest little village I have ever had the pleasure to visit.