Author: Unknown
•2:54 PM
By Dave Smithers

This year's vacations must include Sofia city breaks. Lovers of Russian culture will find a whole new world of both the old and the new in this modern city of over a million people. Sofia is the 12th largest city in the European Union, offering a lively nightlife and an enriching, historical experience. There are buildings and ruins dating back thousands of years. Put Sofia on your list of places you must visit.

See glorious old churches

Set among a beautifully attended garden is the 14th century Boyana Church. Inside is an astounding assortment of medieval frescos. This art is so susceptible to atmospheric conditions that tourists can only view them for 10 minutes. Replicas can be seen in a nearby museum. Then there's the Aleksander Nevski memorial church, which was completed in 1924. It's the country's finest piece of Balkan architecture. The shimmering gold leaf inside was donated by the Soviet Union. It holds 5, 000 people.

Unbelievable Muslim heritage

Muslims were once persecuted by communists in Bulgaria. As a result, the Banya Bashi mosque, dating back to 1576, was left abandoned for many years. It fell into disrepair, but thanks to a grant by the European Union, the mosque is being restored and Muslims have claimed their rightful place within its walls. It is located a short distance away from the city's mineral springs. Artifacts from the former Thracian civilization, along with Greek and Roman artifacts are displayed at another mosque in Sofia, the Buyuk Djami, which is open to the public.

Fascinating natural history museums

You'll find both live and preserved wildlife at The Natural Science Museum, located on Boulevard Tsar Osvoboditel. It was built in 1889 to house a collection of native species of plants and animals. Next door is a beautiful Russian church, built in 1913. It is adorned with unusual yellow tiles, glittering domes and a unique, emerald green spire. It was built by a Tsarist diplomat for his exclusive use, believing that worshiping in a local church would bring harm to his soul.

High on Sofia's mountain

Just 7 km from Sofia's city centre is beautiful Mount Vitosha. You'll stroll through villages in the foothills on the way to this mountain. Vitosha is perfect for hiking or a romantic picnic. In the winter, skiing is offered on Vitosha from December to March. Mix with the locals and don't miss one more nearby attraction. Dragalevtsi, home to an ancient and serene monastery.

About the Author:

|
This entry was posted on 2:54 PM and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

0 nhận xét: