European Union Program
SOFIA Bulgaria
Bulgaria At a glance Politics: Inconclusive elections in May 2013 resulted in the formation of a government of technocrats Economy: Bulgaria is one of the EU's poorest countries. Organised crime and corruption have deterred investors and hindered growth International: Bulgaria joined Nato in 2004 and the EU in 2007. It is not part of the EU's passport-free Schengen zone
Bulgaria, situated in the eastern Balkans, has been undergoing a slow and painful transition to a market economy since the end of Communist rule. A predominantly Slavic-speaking, Orthodox country, Bulgaria was the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet, which was created there towards the end of the 9th century AD. It was long influenced by Byzantine culture then was part of the Ottoman Empire for 500 years before gaining its independence in the 19th century. After World War II it became a satellite of the Soviet Union, but is now a member country of the EU and NATO. Throughout the early 1990s Bulgaria was wracked by political instability and strikes. The former communists were a powerful influence. Although the end of the decade was more stable, there was little tangible progress with economic reform. Under Bulgaria's former king, Simeon II, who was prime minister between 2001 and 2005, the country pressed ahead with market reforms designed to meet EU economic targets. It achieved growth, saw unemployment fall from highs of nearly 20% and inflation come under control, but incomes and living standards remained low. Bulgaria was not among the countries invited to join the EU in 2004. However, it signed an EU accession treaty in April 2005 and joined in January 2007. EU officials set tough entry requirements, reflecting their concerns about corruption and organized crime. After a series of reports found that the Bulgarian government had failed to tackle these issues effectively, the EU announced in July 2008 that it was suspending aid worth hundreds of millions of euros. In September 2010, the EU again called on Bulgaria to take urgent action to tackle crime and corruption, and later in the year France and Germany announced that they would block Bulgaria from joining the Schengen passport-free zone until the country had made "irreversible progress" in this area. Another cause of friction has been the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, which supplies over a third of Bulgaria's electricity. Amid concerns over the safety of communist-era nuclear facilities, four of Kozloduy's six reactors were shut down as a price for Bulgaria's EU membership, two of them closing just minutes before the country joined the EU. In a bid to offset the loss of production at Kozloduy and restore its position as a major power exporter in the Balkans, Bulgaria revived plans for a second nuclear power plant, though these were later put on hold because of a lack of funds. Bulgaria is also involved in two rival gas pipeline projects: Russia's South Stream pipeline and the EU-backed Nabucco pipeline. The centreright government of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov was brought down in February 2013 by protests over spiralling heating bills.
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The Ultimate Sofia Bucket-List: Follow the yellow brick road throughout the old town— literally!
Drink a boza for breakfast at the Zhenski Pazar (The Ladies Market)
Visit the 13th century Bojana Church
Find a unique souvenier at Zona Urbana
Visit the Arena di Serdica Hotel, built on top of Roman ruins
Visit the Neoclassical Battenberg Mausoleum Where to eat:
Skara Bar
A barbeque joint with typical Bulgarian cuisine. Try the skara platter for a little taste of skewered lamb, sausage and a typical spiced-pork kebapcheta. 12 Georgi Benkovski Street Izbata Tavern
A favorite among locals. A very extensive— and tasty!— Sofia locale.
Sofia— a town known for being dominated by wordly powers for over 2700 years. Sofia is a capital that may be off-putting at first. For example, there is no Eiffel Tower to gaze at, or remnants of an old historical castle to explore. However, there are plenty of bustling cafes, hole-in-the-wall shops and unexpected treasures that are awaiting you in the city. One tip I would give you for enjoying the city is to eat as much local food as you can. If you are able to visit the Zhenski Pazar (The Ladies Market, Stefan Stambolov Boulevard ), you will be able to find local delicacies, such as Shopska salad and banitsa (a sweet—or savory— strudel). It also wouldn´t be a bad idea to visit the red-walled Tea House (11 Georgi Benkovski Street). They serve up over 60+ types of tea, have vegan food and even have a secondhand bookstore specializing in English-language books. If you want to get an authentic Bulgarian embroidered linen dress, you can´t miss Le Petit Salon. In addition to finding a new dress, you could also pick up a papier mache doll or handmade paper. Enjoy the city!
18 Slavianska Street
Supa Star
One very typical cuisine in Sofia is soup. Locals have their favorite locations, but this specific restaurant has a great variety. Try the tarator, a Bulgarian classic with cucumbers, walnuts and a chilled yogurt base. 8 Tsar Ivan Shishman Street
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Sights and Historic Places Central Military Club Tsar Osvoboditel blvd. 1 The Central Military Club is a multi-purpose monument of culture in the center of Sofia. It serves the Bulgarian Army and is administered by the Executive Agency of Military Clubs and Information. The foundation stone of the edifice was laid in 1895. The Military Club was designed by Czech architect Antonín Kolář in the Neo-Renaissance style and finished by Bulgarian architect Nikola Lazarov in 1907. A stone from the victorious battlefield at Slivnitsa from the SerboBulgarian War (1885-1886) was laid in the foundations. The building has three stories and features a coffeehouse, an art gallery, a number of refined halls varying in size, as well as an imposing concert hall with 450 seats. The Central Military Club has always been an important cultural centre of the capital. Battenberg Mausoleum 81 Vasil Levski Boulevard The Memorial Tomb of Alexander I of Battenberg, better known as the Battenberg Mausoleum, is the final resting place of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria (1857–1893), the first Head of State of modern Bulgaria. When Alexander died in exile in Graz, Austria in 1893, he was initially buried there. However, in accordance with his wishes, his remains were transferred to the Bulgarian capital. He was given a state funeral attended by the new prince, Ferdinand of Bulgaria, Alexander's widow Johanna Loisinger, and a great number of Bulgarians. Following a service in the St Nedelya Church his body was moved to the Church of St George and subsequently to the newly-constructed mausoleum in the center of the city. Ivan Vazov National Theatre Dyakon Ignatii Street 5 The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is Bulgaria's national theater, as well as the oldest and most authoritative theater in the country. It is located in the center of the city, with the facade facing the City Garden. Founded in 1904 by the artists from the Salza i Smyah company, it was initially called simply the National Theatre. Before being named after the prominent writer Ivan Vazov, it also bore the name of Krastyu Sarafov between 1952 and 1962. The theater's Neoclassical building, designed by famous Viennese theatre architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner, was finished in 1906 and opened on 3 January 1907. The building was extensively damaged by a fire in 1923 during an anniversary celebration, but was reconstructed in 1929 by German architect Martin Dülfer. Borisova gradina Borisova gradina or Knyaz-Borisova gradina (Boris’ garden) is the oldest and best known park in Sofia. Its construction and arrangement began in 1884 and it is named after Bulgarian tsar Boris III. The history of the garden embraces three periods under three renowned gardeners. All followed the initial scheme, developing it further and perfecting it (instead of making radical changes to the original design).
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National Historical Museum 16 Vitoshko lale str. (outside the centre, in the Southwest)
Museums
The National Historical Museum in Sofia is Bulgaria's largest and most prestigious museum. It was founded on 5 May 1973, and its first representative exposition was opened in 1984 to commemorate 1300 years of Bulgarian history. The museum was moved to a former governmental residence in 2000 and currently stores over 650,000 objects related to archaeology, fine arts, history and ethnography. Opening Hours: Apr-Oct daily from 9:30am-6pm, Nov-Mar 9am-5:30pm Admission: 1,00 lv for students National Archaeological Museum Saborna Street 2
The oldest museum in Bulgaria is located in the ‘Bujuk (Big) Mosque’ which dates back to the end of the 15th century. It is one of the most charming and interesting museums in Sofia. The setting in the white, airy 9-domed former mosque is ideal for displaying the country’s treasures, coins and monuments. Well-displayed with Bulgarian and English captions. The highlights include the Valchitran gold treasure from the 14th century BC and the original floor mosaic from St. Sofia Church. Opening Hours: 1 Nov. - 30 April: 10am-5pm, May - Oct. 10am-6am, Mon. closed Admission: 2,00 lv National Museum of Natural History Tsar Osvoboditel blvd. 1
This museum was founded in 1889 and is the largest of this kind in the Balkans. Its collection includes over 400 taxidermy mammals, over 1,200 species of birds, hundreds of thousands of insects and other invertebrate, as well as samples of about one quarter of the world's mineral species. Opening Hours: Daily from 10am-6pm Admission: 2,00 lv Earth and Man National Museum 4 Cherni vruh blvd.
This is one of the biggest mineralogical museums in the world. It houses a collection that covers 40% of all known naturally occurring minerals as well as man-made ceramics prepared by Bulgarian scientists. Apart from its permanent expositions related to mineral diversity, the museum also often hosts exhibitions connected with various other topics as well as concerts of chamber music. Opening hours: Tue. - Sat. 10 am - 6 pm Admission: 2,00 lv National Art Gallery Alexander Battenberg Square 1
The National Art Gallery houses over 50,000 pieces of Bulgarian art. Occupying most of the edifice of the former royal palace of Bulgaria, it was established in 1934 and moved to the palace in 1946 after the abolition of the monarchy. The Gallery houses not only examples of contemporary and National Revival art, but also the country's largest collection of medieval paintings. This includes more than four thousand icons, a collection comparable in quality and number only to that of the Benaki Museum in Athens. Opening hours: Tuesday-Sun: 10 am. - 6pm Admission: 3,00 lv
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Religious Sights St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 1, Alexander Nevski square Built in Neo-Byzantine style, this church serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of Sofia's symbol and primary tourist attractions. The cathedral's gold-plated dome is 45 m high, with the bell tower reaching 50.52 m. The temple has 12 bells with total weight of 23 tons. The interior is decorated with Italian marble in various colors, Brazilian onyx, alabaster, and other luxurious materials. The central dome has the Lord's Prayer inscribed around it with thin gold letters. Opening hours: Daily from 7am-6pm Sofia Synagogue Ekzarh Yosif Street 16 This elegant and imaginative synagogue is a reminder that at one time one in five of the city’s citizens were Jews and respected highly enough to add their cultural contribution to the skyline of the city centre. It is one of the largest Synagogues in the Balkans and was built between 1905 and 1909 by Austrian architect Gruenanger in Spanish-Mauritanian and Byzantine style. Built to house 1.300, attendances now number less than 75; the city‘s Jews mostly emigrated to Palestine in the late 1940s. A museum tracing the history of Jews in Bulgaria is to be found inside the synagogue building. Of particular interest is the permanent exhibition dedicated to the saving of the Bulgarian Jews during WWII. Opening hours: 9am-1pm, 1pm-4:30pm; ring the bell for the caretaker Banya Bashi Mosque Maria Luiza Blvd. (Metro Stop Serdika) Ideally located in the centre of Sofia close to the old (and still partially dilapidated) mineral baths, this brick building was built in 1576 and named after the mineral baths. The dome has a diameter of 15 metres. The architect Mimar Sinan was chief architect to the Sultan and his works also include the Blue mosque in Istanbul. It is the only working mosque in Sofia and the muezzin calls the worshippers to prayer every day with a loudspeaker on the minaret. It is particulary lively on Fridays when the service inside the mosque is broadcast on the loudspeaker for those who cannot fit inside. Opening hours: 8am-5pm; visitors welcome except at prayer times; women should be modestly dressed Rotunda of Sveti Georgi Sveta Nedelya Square 2 Easy to miss, this charming red brick round church stands in a small courtyard. It is Sofia‘s oldest preserved building; its Roman origins date back to the 4th century. Three layers of frescoes can still be seen, the oldest dating back to the 10th century illustrating the development of monumental painting through to the 14th century. Opening hours: 8am-5pm
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Boyana Church Boyansko Ezero Street 1-3 (outside the city centre)
This medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church is situated in the Boyana quarter. Its east wing was originally constructed in the late 10th and early 11th century. The central wing was added in the 13th century under the Second Bulgarian Empire. The whole building was completed in the middle of the 19th century. The church owes its world fame mainly to its frescoes from 1259. They form a second layer over the paintings from earlier centuries and represent one of the most complete and well-preserved monuments of Eastern European medieval art. A total of 89 scenes with 240 human images are depicted on the walls of the church. The monument was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Opening hours: 9:30am-5:30pm, admission charge
Food Bulgarian cuisine is noted for the diversity and quality of dairy products and the variety of Bulgarian wines and local alcoholic drinks such as rakia, mastika and menta. Bulgarian cuisine features a variety of hot and cold soups, an example of a cold soup being tarator. There are many different Bulgarian pastries as well such as banitsa. Most Bulgarian dishes are oven baked, steamed, or in the form of stew. Deep-frying is not very typical, but grilling - especially different kinds of meats - is very common. Pork meat is the most common meat in the Bulgarian cuisine. Some explain this with the fact that during the years of being part of the Ottoman Empire, pigs were the only livestock animals that were not subject to the so-called “natural tax” due to religious reasons. A very popular ingredient in Bulgarian cuisine is the Bulgarian white brine cheese called "sirene". It is the main ingredient in many salads as well as in a variety of pastries.
Transportation Sofia has a well-developed and efficient public transport system that consists of buses, trolleys, trams, and a subway line. The public transport operates from 5AM to about 12AM. Taxis are the only transport option in the night. The price of a single ticket is 1.00 lv, only payable in the local currency. There are also 10 (8.00lv) tickets for one passenger, combined ticket for subway and ground transport (1.40 lv), daily cards (4lv), valid for all lines, and 5-day cards (15lv). Tickets, daily and 5-day cards can be bought at most newspaper stands, especially ones adjacent to public transport stops. Punch a ticket immediately after you enter the vehicle. The inspectors rarely understand English and you might have problems with the security if you travel without a ticket or even with an unpunched one. Inspectors ambush and board buses and trams in groups, sometimes accompanied by police, and make no exceptions. The fine is 10 lv. Taxis Taxis in Sofia are yellow. Taxis can be caught on the streets or can be ordered by phone. A drive inside Sofia will rarely exceed 10lv. There are many companies offering taxi services, some of them are OK Supertrans taxi (973 2121), €1 Taxi, "962-22-26", Yellow Taxi (91119) and Radio CV Taxi (91263) with fares around 0,70 leva (0,35€) per kilometer. Please check the phone number and the prices before you board, because there are some taxis trying to imitate the most popular ones, but having outrageous prices (up to 5,90 leva (3,00€) per kilometer). These types usually hang around hotels and tourist spots picking on unsuspecting customers. The general rule is that if a taxi driver comes to you and offers you a drive, never accept it because they will try to rip you off.
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Helpful Bulgarian Phrases Hello
Здравей
zdravej
Goodbye
Довиждане
doviʒdane
Please
Моля
molja
You’re welcome
Няма защо
njama za∫to
Thank you
Благодаря
blagodarja
Excuse me
Извинете
izvinete
Yes / No
Да / Не
da /ne
Cheers
Наздраве
nazdrave
I don’t understand
Не разбирам
ne razbiram
I don’t know
Не знам
ne znam
Do you speak English
Говорите ли английски
govorite li anglijski
The Cyrillic alphabet
Conversion rate of the Bulgarian lev 1 Bulgarian lev= .65 US Dollars 1 Bulgarian lev= .51 Euro
It is not safe to drink the tap water.