I went to Bulgaria! I still can’t believe it. I know, I say that each time I reach a new country; seriously, I mean it every time. I’m still stunned at this incredible opportunity I’ve had to realize some dreams and collect incredible memories. Some of those memories have come from my time in Sofia, Bulgaria, the capital of the country.
It’s the beginning of June, and summer has definitely hit Bulgaria. The lush greenery throughout the city, against the backdrop of bright architecture makes Sofia a great city to be in to kick off the season!
Against the backdrop of floral lushness, Sofia hosts some incredible sights. One of them, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, is to date the most beautiful cathedral I have ever visited (and I’ve visited quite a few). In Statue of Liberty fashion, the copper plating has turned a greenish hue; however, in my opinion, this only enhances the beauty of the cathedral. The turquoise-green color is eye-catching, to say the least! A short walk from the cathedral is a cute little antiques/souvenir market that’s definitely worth a walk through.
A 10 minute walk from the cathedral is the ornate Russian Church of Sofia. The church is surrounded by a park filled with trees and benches, and floral designs detail the front lawn.
The Rotunda of St. George shows off the deep history of Sofia. Built in the 4th century by the Romans, the rotunda consists of a church set amidst the remains of the ancient town of Serdica. Interestingly, the Rotunda of St. George is mostly hidden from view today by the huge wall of the Sheraton Hotel that surround the rotunda.
Did I mention that interesting religious buildings really do abound in Sofia? Another example of these is the Hagia Nedelya Church, located down the street from the semi-hidden Rotunda of St. George. The Hagia Nedelya features incredible fresco paintings on the inside dome walls, in remarkable condition. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside. So just go in and soak up the grandeur!
A final religious building worth a visit: the Banya Bashi Mosque. Banya Bashi is the only functioning mosque in Sofia, and it’s name literally means “many baths,” because it was built over natural thermal spas. The park behind the mosque is a nice place to enjoy the sunny Bulgarian weather, while enjoying the fountain and willow trees.
Finally, no trip is complete with a spot of shopping! The best street for window shopping, strolling, and souvenir choosing is Vitosha Boulevard. The long, winding boulevard is full of commercial shops, cute boutiques, and a wide center filled with cafe patios and street vendors selling balloon animals and pinwheels. The best part is Mount Vitosha in the background, silhouetted at the end of the street and always in the distance.
Overall, my favorite part about Sofia was the pure culture. While tourism is definitely an industry there, it does not overshadow the natural Bulgarian way of life. Tourists are not taking over the entire city, which made for a great experience in seeing Bulgaria as it was, not through the lens of a tourist-oriented city. Even though I was only there for a few days, I feel like I really got a great glimpse into Bulgaria!
xox,
Lauren
