Sofia Synagogue

The Sofia Synagogue (Bulgarian: Софийска синагога, Sofiyska sinagoga) is the largest synagogue in Southeastern Europe, one of two functioning in Bulgaria and the third-largest in Europe.

Българска версия
Museum
Музея

Archeological remains of the Northwestern tower of the ancient town. It is under the moder catholic church in Sofia. Admired 24/7 from the Todor Alexandrov Blvd. 

Ulpia Serdica- tower and St Spas Church Under Bulbank

The remains are situated in the foundations of UniCredti Bulank HQ and can be admired from the Todor Alexandrov Blvd.

Църква Свети Спас Под Булбанк Храмът е част от археологичен комплекс, просъществувал от края на ХІІ-ХVІІІ до края на ХІХ (1884г.), същият е претърпял четири преустройства. Архитектура Църквата „Свети Спас” е еднокорабна, с малък притвор, с петстепенна отвън и седемстепенна отвътре абсида. В северната и южната стена, пред иконостаса, са оформени анекси. Стените на наоса са разчленени с по три плитки аркирани ниши. Основите на църквата са градени от едри обли камъни, споени с глина, градежът на стените е в т.нар. „клетъчна зидария” – камъни, споени с хоросан и оградени с тухли. Изобразителни изкуства Запазени са няколко пласта стенописи. От периода ХV-ХІХ в. при най-ранните стенописи личи ръката на много опитен художник. Образите са строги и одухотворени. В средата на ХІХ в. църквата е преустроена и отново стенописана в ярки, светли тонове. Около църквата е открит богат средновековен некропол.

St. Spas Church Under Bulbank The church is part of an archeological complex. It existed for a very long period of time – from the end of the 12th -18th centuries to the end of the 19th century (1884) and underwent four restructuring. Architecture St. Spas Church has one nave, with a small nartex and apsida – pentagonal outside and heptagonal inside. Annexes are shaped in the northern and in the southern wall, in front of the iconostasis. The walls of the naos are articulated with three shallow arched niches each. The bases of the church were built using larger oval stones, glued with clay, the building of the walls is in the so-called “cellular masonry” – the stones, glued together with plaster and surrounded by bricks. Pictorial arts Preserved are several layers of mural paintings. The earliest mural paintings from the period 15th-19th century manifest the hand of a very experienced painter. The images are austere and spirited. In the middle of the 19th century the church was re-structured and was repainted in bright, light colours. A rich medieval necropolis was discovered around the church. Admired 24/7 from the Todor Alexandrov Blvd.

Кремиковски манастир Св. Георги Победоносец - Manastir SV.Velikomachenik Georgi Pobedonosets

Manastir SV.Velikomachenik Georgi Pobedonosets
Sofia
Bulgaria
02994 7033

The Boyana Church - БОЯНСКА ЦЪРКВА

The Boyana church is situated at the foot of Vitosha mountain not far from Bulgaria's capital, Sofia. In the 11 th century there was a fortification in this area which played a main role in the wars between Byzantium and Bulgaria. The Boyana church contains the most remarkable examples of Bulgarian medieval painting, while at the same time being one of the best preserved and most interesting architectural monuments from the feudal era.

НИМ - филиал - “Боянска църква”

София 1616
ул.”Боянско езеро” № 3,
тел. 9590939; 9592963
URL: www.boyanachurch.org
e-mail: nmbc@nmbc.orbitel.bg
Директор: Мариана Трифонова

Boyana Church
ул. Боянско езеро 3
Sofia, Bulgaria
02 9590939

Света Петка Самарджийска

The Church St. “Petka Samardjiiska” is ancient Chrisitna monument from XI century, its mural paintings dated XV century are unique and inestimable. 

Musаla

A Muslim praying site, similar to Mosque, but situated usually in open.  This one in particular being outside the medieval town, probably erected for the praying of the soldiers when they leave on combat march.

It used to be called the "Roman Wall", because the general public did not recognize the structure, but recently the market was renamed to "Old Wall".

Свети Седмочисленици

Church of the Seven Saints, as it’s translation, is dedicated to Sts Cyril and Methodius and their five disciples. Originally built as a mosque in 1528, it had already fallen into disuse by the time the Russians came along in 1878 and turned it into an arms depot. After a brief life as a prison, the structure was restored and remodelled in a style termed Bulgarian National Romanticism, and consecrated as a church in 1903. Inside, the walls are covered in traditional murals of saints, while an image of the Trinity decorates the huge central dome. The gilded iconostasis includes icons painted by Anton Mitov and Stefan Ivanov.

The garden around is a popular gathering spot.

* Address
o ul Graf Ignatiev
* Hours
o 7am-7pm

The National Archeology Museum Natsionalen arheologicheski muzey i Arheologicheski i-t BAN

The museum is housed in the former Buyuk Mosque (Büyük Camii - the Big Mosque), dating from 1494. It has a very good collection of Thracian, Roman and Bulgarian finds. There are also unique and valuable icons from all over Bulgaria. Definately a must-see. Inscriptions both in Bulgarian and English.

For me it was interesting to see objects, escavated from my mother's village Vladinia, Loveshka Oblast, and from my neighbourhood in Sofia....
Closed on Mondays in Winter, May to September open every day.
Admission 10 levs.
Both the Archeological, and the National history mueums are free every last Suday of the month.
# Address: :2, Saborna str.
# Directions: Next to the Presidency

Археологически институт с музей при БАН

София 1000

ул. “Съборна” № 2,
тел. 9881473; 9882406; 9867652
факс. 9882405
URL: http://www.naim.bg/
-mail: aim-bas@aclubcable.com
Директор: и.д. проф. Маргарита Ваклинова

National Archaeological Museum
ул. Съборна 2
Sofia, Bulgaria
02 9882406
naim.bg

Saint Parascheva - the Old - Света Петка Стара

Ancient Church build in 13c. (around 1241-1257) as a court chapel for Kaloyan (Bulgarian: Калоян; Old Bulgarian: КАЛѠѢНѢ) a 13th-century Bulgarian noble, sebastocrator of Sredets (Sofia) and the surrounding region during the Asen dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

The church is named after Saint Parascheva of the Balkans (also known as Petka, Petka of Bulgaria, Petca Parasceva, Paraskevi of Serbia, Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, Parascheva of Tirnovo, Parascheva the Serbian, Parascheva of Belgrade, Parascheva the New, Parascheva the Young) an ascetic female saint of the 11th century, was born in the town of Epibatos on the shore of the Sea of Marmara; her parents were wealthy landowners.

One of the entrances of the church is on the Kaloyan Str. which follows the ancient roman street.  Also there were discovered the remains of the palace of Constantine the Great.

In 1930 over the church was erected the Patriarch's Palace and some administrative associated with it.

Banya Bashi Mosque

Banya Bashi Mosque (Bulgarian: Баня баши джамия, Banya bashi dzhamiya; Turkish: Banya Başı Camii) is a mosque in Sofia, Bulgaria. Its construction was completed in 1576, during the years the Ottomans had control of the capital. The mosque derives its name from the phrase Banya Bashi, which means many baths. The most outstanding feature of the Mosque is that it was actually built over natural thermal spas. One can even see the steam rising from vents in the ground near the Mosque walls. The Mosque is famous for its large dome and the minaret rising upward to the sky.

Currently the Banya Bashi Mosque is the only functioning mosque in Sofia, a remnant of the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria that lasted nearly five centuries, and is used by the city's Muslim community.

Holy Sunday Church (Bulgarian: църква „Света Неделя“ Sveta Nedelya)

КАТЕДРАЛНИЯ ХРАМ „СВЕТА НЕДЕЛЯ”

The history of the cathedral's earliest years is to a large extent unknown. It was probably built in the 10th century and had stone foundations and an otherwise wooden construction, remaining wooden until the middle of the 19th century, unlike most other churches in the city. A German  traveller by the name of Stefan Gerlach visited Sofia in 1578 and mentioned the church.

Around 1460, the remains of Serbian king Stefan Milutin were carried to Bulgaria and were stored in various churches and monasteries until being transferred to St Nedelya after it became a bishop's residence in the 18th century. The remains remained there for a period and the church acquired another name, Holy King („Свети Крал“, „Sveti Kral“), in the late 19th and early 20th century.

The former building was demolished to make place for a larger and more imposing cathedral on 25 April 1856. The construction of the 35.5 m-long and 19 m-wide church began in the summer of the same year. The still incomplete building suffered from an earthquake in 1858, which prolonged the construction works that ultimately finished in 1863. It was officially inaugurated on 11 May 1867 in the presence of 20,000 people. A new belfry was erected to accommodate the 8 bells given to the church as a present by Knyaz Dondukov-Korsakov in 1879.

The church was renovated in 1898, with new domes being added. Exarch Joseph I of Bulgaria was buried immediately outside the walls of St Nedelya in 1915. The church was razed in the assault in 1925 that claimed over 150 victims. After the assault, the church was restored to its modern appearance between the summer of 1927 and the spring of 1933 (once again inaugurated on 7 April 1933). It was almost erected anew as a temple 30 m in length and 15.50 m in width and featuring a central dome that made it 31 m high. The gilt iconostasis that survived the bomb attack was returned to the church.

The Rotunda of St George (Sveti Georgi) - Свети Георги

Built in the 4th century, this is the oldest building in Sofia. It used to be a Roman Public building, since the round shape is preserved for secular administrative buildings, but was later converted into a church. Next to it lay the remains of an ancient bath, with the floor heating.

Build in the beginning of the IVth century A.D. during the rule of Emperor Constantine The Great , the Rotunda St. George (Sveti Georgi) is the oldest preserved covered building in Sofia. It is now situated in the inner court of the House of President which is accessible for the public 24/7.

The first wall paintings in the temple are made in the VIth century, during the rule of the Byzantyne emperor Justinian I. During the Ottoman rule it has been transformed into a mosque. In 1915 it was restored as a Christian temple, the minarets were destroyed and the top layer of the inside walls was removed to uncover the ancient wall paintings. Today it is part of UNESCO's World Heritage.

For me, it is the best landmark in Sofia, though not as big and imposing as other churches in the city.

St. Sofia Church - Hagia Sophia, Agia Sofia (from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom"; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia). St.Sofia

Hagia Sophia, Agia Sofia (from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom"; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia). St.Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia with a long and fascinating history. It is a recently restored Byzantine church, built on the site of several earlier churches and places of worship dating back to the days when it was the necropolis of the Roman town Serdica (named after the Thracian Serdii tribe who originally inhabited the area). It also gave the name of the town.

Църква Света София	Basilica of Hagia Sophia
Християнска трикорабна базилика. ІV-VІ в.	A Christian tree-nave basilica, 4th-6th centuries.
Изградена в некропола на антична Сердика на мястото на по-стари църкви от ІV век. Ясно се разпознават няколко строителни етапа и промени до завършването ѝ през VІ век.	It was built on the bases of older churches from the 4th century. Clearly distinguished are several phases of building and changes until its completion uring the 6th century.
В Средновековието е изпълнявала функцията на градска съборна църква. Пострадала е при земетресенията през 1818 и 1858. Реставрирана е през 1935, 1982, 1998-2001 г.	In the Middle Ages – a town cathedral. It suffered in the earthquakes of 1818 and 1858. It was repeatedly restored, in 1935, 1982 and 1998-2001.
Архитектура	Architecture
В план сградата е с правоъгълна форма, ориентирана изток-запад. В тази ос пространството е разделено от мощни колони на три части (кораби).	In its paln the building has a rectangular shape and is oriented east-west. In this axis the space is separated by mighty columns in three parts (naves).
Средният кораб, както е при базиликите, доминира над страничните. Източната част на свободното му вътрешно пространство завършва с полукръгла отвътре и тристенна отвън абсида. Средният кораб е пресечен от трансепт. Еднаквата ширина на двата кораба на плана очертава фигурата на кръст. В центъра на пространствената композиция, в образувалия се квадрат, върху арките на четири масивни стълба, се извисява централният купол.	The middle nave, as in the basilicas, dominates over the side ones. The eastern part of its free interior ends in a semi-circular apsida inside and in a triangular one outside. The middle nave is crossed by a transverse transept. The width of the two naves is the same, and clearly outlined in the plan is a figure of a cross. In the centre of the spatial composition, in the square that has formed, the central dome towers on the arches and on four massive pillars.
Трансептът и страничните кораби завършват с кръстовидни сводове. Градежът е с тухли, скрепени с варов хоросан. Внушението е за простота и сурова строгост. Църквата е богато осветена от множество прозорци, обогатяващи органично строгата архитектура на екстериора и интериора.	The transept and the side naves end in cross-like vaults. In the western section is the narthex. New elements in the architecture are the two spaces lateral to the narthex, remaining outside the major rectangle. The building material is bricks, sealed by lime plaster. The impression is of simplicity and raw austerity. The church is luxuriously illuminated by many windows, enriching the organically austere architecture of the exterior and the interior.
Под базиликата има археологическо ниво с над 100 гробници (ІІ в. пр.Хр. – ІІ в.н.е.), което е в процес на експониране.	Under the basilica there is an archaeological level with over 100 tombs (2nd century BC – 2nd century AD), which is the process of being exhibited.
Изобразителни изкуства	Pictorial arts
Фрагменти от мозайки за пода на църкви от ІV век. Стенописи в гробниците под базиликата Св. София.	Fragments of mosaics for the floor of churches from the 4th century. Mural paintings in the tombs under the Hagia Sophia basilica.
Речник	Glossary
Света София – Божия Премъдрост	Hagia Sophia – a symbol of God’s Wisdom
Базилика – от гр. basilike, правоъгълна постройка, която е разделена от колони или стълбове на надлъжни вътрешни пространства – кораби. Базиликата е най-разпространеният архитектурен тип храм до ІХ в.	Basilica – from Greek basilike – a rectangular building which is separated by columns or pillars in three longitudinal internal spaces – naves. The Christina basilica is the most common architectural type of church until the 9th century.
Притвор – нартекс – обособено пространство в западната част на храма, служещо за преход между екстериора и наоса	Narthex – a separate place in the western section of the church, serving as a transition between the exterior and the naos
Наос – от гр. naos, в средновековната християнска архитектура – главното (централното) пространство на храма	Naos – in the Medieval Christian architecture –the main (central) space of the church
Олтарно пространство – в средновековната християнска архитектура – обособено място в източната част на църквата, където се извършва основната част от богослужението	Sanctuary – in the Medieval Church architecture – a separate place in the eastern section of the church where the major part of the divine service is held
Трансепт – кораб, напречен на средния кораб, ориентиран север-юг	The transept – nave, transverse to the middle nave, with an orientation north-south
Още на http://www.ulpiaserdica.com/b_sofia_bg.html	More at http://www.ulpiaserdica.com/b_sofia_en.html
Проект за консервация, реставрация и експониране на археологическото ниво под базилика „Света София”	Project for conservation, restoration and exhibiting of the archeological level under the basilica of Hagia Sophia
Проектът предвижда комплекс от консервационно-реставрационни дейности, които да гарантират дълговечността на археологическите структури. Паралелно с извършването на архитектурно строителните работи по експонирането, ще бъде предприето конструктивно укрепване въз основа на проведените изследвания на сградата на земетръс. Предвидено е да бъде изпълнен комплекс от работи по инфраструктурното обезпечаване. По този начин ще се осигури възможността за цялостно разглеждане на археологическото ниво на Базиликата и обемно-пространственото му въздействие. Предвидени са места за аранжиране на музейни експозиции, където ще бъдат представен археологически находки, намерени на място в процеса на археологическото проучване. Чрез тях ще бъде дадена информация на богатата история на Базиликата и мястото, на което тя е ситуирана. Предвидената за експониране достъпна археологическа площ с разкритите гробни съоръжения е 605 м2, а осредненият общ експозиционен обем се равнява на 1781 м2. Гробните съоръжения са датирани между втората четвърт на ІІ век и последната четвърт на ІV век.	The project provides a complex of conservation and restoration activities. These activities guarantee the long life of the archaeological remains. Parallel to the architectural and building activities, a constructive strengthening will be carried out (on the basis of seismic – resistance investigation). A complex of activities, needed for the adaptation of the underground level, is provided. Thus aims at sightseeing of the archaeological level and providing of a tree – dimension effect. It will provide areas for museum site. These sites will exhibit the archaeological remains, excavated at the underground level. They will give information for the rich history of the Basilica and is at area of 605 sq.m., while the area of the overall exhibition space is 1781 cubic m. The graves and tombs are dated from the second quarter of 2nd century to the last quarter of 4th century.
Прогнозната стойност на проекта: 4 931 317 евро.	Approximate expenses for the project: 4 931 317 EUR.

Cathedral St. Alexander Nevski

Още информация на Български

"St. Alexander Nevski" cathedral is one of the most significant monuments in Sofia. It was built between 1882 and 1912, in honour of the Russian Tzar Alexander II, referred to as Tsar Osvoboditel,The King Liberator, given this name because his army helped liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878. The church was built as a memorial to the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War (1877-1878). The cathedral bears the name of the patron saint of the family of the Russian Tzar.

The magnificent church is built to the designs of the Russian architect Pomerantsev in Neo Byzantine style, typical for Russia in the the XIX th century.

Also there, on the left of the main entrance is the stairs to the under the church space, referred to as "the crypt" (from the Latin crypta and the Greek κρύπτη, kryptē; meaning concealed, private).  It houses the collection of finest Bulgarian medieval art - mainly icons.

Pictures

Working hours of the Crypt: 10.30-12.30 и 14.00-18.30
Closed on Mondays

The church works dalily untill 6pm