Almost in the center of the Balkan Peninsula is the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. This city combines the comfort and simplicity of modernity with the splendor of antiquity. Every year millions of guests come to Sofia to have an inexpensive vacation, admire the architecture and get to know the history of the capital and the country as a whole.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This cathedral is the main cathedral of Sofia. It was built in 1912 to commemorate the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke. The height of the cathedral is 50 meters, and on an area of 86,000 square meters, it can accommodate 5,000 people. The project of the cathedral was developed by the famous Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev, and materials for the construction were brought from different countries and continents: marble from Italy, onyx from Brazil, alabaster and white stone from Africa.
Saint Sophia Cathedral
A no less famous landmark of Sofia is the cathedral, built in the 4th century. Sophia Cathedral was erected during the reign of Constantine I, the Byzantine emperor. During the Ottoman Empire, the cathedral became a mosque, and today it is one of the most interesting architectural monuments in Eastern Europe.
Cathedral of Holy Week
Another cathedral in the Bulgarian capital is the Holy Week Cathedral. The date of its construction is unknown, but references date back to 1578. In the 18th century, the church became a cathedral, this happened after the relics of Stephen II Milutin, the Serbian king, were transferred here. The cathedral was destroyed several times (by fire, earthquake, terrorist act), but this did not prevent it from being reopened to the public in 1933.
Banya Bashi Mosque
Opposite the famous Halite market in Sofia, you can see the Banya Bashi Mosque. It was built on the initiative of the benefactor Mullah Efendi Kada Seyfullah. The name of the Muslim temple, if translated into Russian, means “many baths”. This is due to the fact that it was erected over mineral springs.
Sofia Mineral Baths
Not far from the mosque you can see the Sofia Mineral Baths - a very beautiful building with a fountain. The baths were opened to visitors in 1913, but due to unprofitableness they were closed at the end of the 80s. The facade of the building immediately catches the eye due to the graceful architectural design, and inside tourists can see very beautiful pools, colored tiles and mosaics.
Synagogue
In Sofia, you can see the largest Jewish-Spanish synagogue in Europe. It was built in 1909. The synagogue was not destroyed by sheer luck during World War II, but it was partially damaged in 1944 during the bombing. The building was rebuilt after the war.
