Situated in close proximity to Lion's Bridge, the Women's Market stands as the oldest operational marketplace within the boundaries of the Bulgarian capital. Its origins trace back to the year 1878, a period just preceding Bulgaria's attainment of independence. Over time, the Women's Market experienced remarkable growth, ultimately evolving into a pivotal hub for commerce, not only during its contemporary era but also in the years that followed. Throughout the 20th century, this marketplace held a position of utmost prestige and influence within the city of Sofia.

In recent times, particularly following a series of modernization efforts undertaken in 2014, the Women's Market has transformed into a confluence of the past and present, a place where various cultures converge. The striking new pavilions contrast elegantly with the historical architectural backdrop of the old city.

The Women's Market is a melting pot of cultures, drawing merchants not just from Bulgaria but also from the Middle East and Turkey. This unique blend results in a captivating assortment of flavors and products. The presence of Eastern merchants infuses the Women's Market with exotic foods, spices, and merchandise, harmoniously coexisting with traditional Bulgarian offerings, including food and clothing.

Throughout the year, the bustling marketplace offers a wide range of fresh produce, from vegetables to meats. To cap off a rewarding shopping experience, numerous Middle Eastern, Turkish, and Bulgarian restaurants, as well as coffee bars, can be found in the vicinity of the marketplace. Moreover, the "Serdika" Gallery, situated on the market grounds, provides a glimpse into the local cultural scene.

The Sofia Synagogue serves the spiritual needs of Sofia’s Sephardic Jewish community, being the largest synagogue in Southeastern Europe and one of only two still operating in Bulgaria. Designed by the Austrian architect Friedrich Grünanger, it opened in 1909 in the presence of Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria.

Its design was inspired by the Moorish-style Leopoldstadt Temple of Vienna and was built on the site of an earlier synagogue. The new building formed part of a broader effort to reorganize and modernize Bulgaria’s Jewish community at the start of the 20th century. It can accommodate up to 1,300 worshippers, and its central chandelier weighs nearly two tons.

In reality, attendance rarely fills the space. Although the synagogue stands within Sofia’s so-called “Square of Tolerance”, Bulgaria’s historical record of tolerance has been complicated, and most of the country’s Jews eventually emigrated to Israel.

Architecturally, the Sofia Synagogue is a fine example of Moorish Revival style, blended with influences from the Vienna Secession art movement. Venetian elements appear on the façade, while the structure is crowned by an octagonal dome. Inside, visitors can admire Carrara marble columns, Venetian mosaics, and carved wooden details.

Since 1992, the building has also housed the Jewish Museum of History, which documents the story of Jewish life in Bulgaria, including both the Holocaust period and the rescue of Bulgaria’s Jewish population. A small gift shop is also available for visitors.

The Banya Bashi Mosque, meaning “Many Baths”, reflects the thermal springs beneath it, which can still be seen rising from vents near the building on cool mornings. Completed in 1566, the mosque was designed by Mimar Sinan, the most renowned architect of the Ottoman Empire.

The mosque was commissioned by Kadı Seyfullah Efendi, the city’s chief judge, in memory of his late wife. The main structure is crowned by a single large central dome, measuring 15 meters in diameter. At the front of the complex stands an annex built as a memorial space, topped with three smaller domes. A slender minaret rises beside the mosque, and the entrance features an arcade supported by three stone pillars.

Inside, the prayer hall forms a cube-shaped space beneath the soaring dome. The interior is adorned with floral motifs, geometric designs, and Arabic calligraphy, typical of 16th-century Ottoman aesthetics. Notable details include aquamarine tiles on the eastern wall and a tile panel depicting the Kaaba in Mecca, connecting the worship space to the wider Islamic world.

The mosque can accommodate about 700 worshippers, with Friday prayers drawing the largest gatherings. Today, Banya Bashi is the only functioning mosque in Sofia, preserving both the spiritual life and architectural heritage of the city’s Ottoman past.

Have you seen Mount Vitosha while visiting the city? But did you know this is the mountain from which Vitosha Boulevard takes its name from? Today, it serves as the city’s main shopping and commercial artery, running from Saint Nedelya Square all the way to Southern Park. Along its length, visitors encounter a concentration of luxury boutiques, fashionable cafés, elegant restaurants, and lively bars—especially popular for open-air dining in summer and illuminated evening strolls.

Starting near Saint Nedelya Square and heading south toward Southern Park, you’ll come across names like Versace, D&G, La Perla, Lacoste, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, among others. Most of these stores are set directly along the main pedestrian stretch, making them easy to explore as you walk the boulevard end to end. According to a recent 2024 report, Vitosha Boulevard now ranks among the top 60 most expensive shopping streets in the world.

Before Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman's rule in 1878, the street was lined with small one-story houses. Between the two World Wars, it transformed into a major commercial artery marked by larger-scale construction and European architectural influences. Near the northern end, close to Saint Nedelya Square, stands the imposing Palace of Justice.

Farther along the boulevard, as you head toward the park, you’ll pass the former home of Bulgarian Symbolist poet Peyo Yavorov, located at Georgi S. Rakovski 136—a three-story building with a light-yellow facade. Continue onward to the southern stretch where the National Palace of Culture dominates the skyline. Along this route, you’ll also come across the corner famously known as “The Pharmacy,” part of the Grand Hotel Sofia. Once a favored meeting place for writers and artists, the space within the hotel has since been renovated and repurposed over the years. The hotel building itself is a protected architectural landmark in Sofia.

In 2007, a renovation project was launched to restore the elegant look of 1930s Sofia. Historical street lamps, benches, and Art Nouveau-style kiosks were added, along with new green spaces, fountains, outdoor bars, and a clock tower near Saint Nedelya Cathedral—displaying the time in major world capitals.

One fascinating detail is that beneath Vitosha Boulevard lie underground remains of ancient Sofia, including Roman streets and fragments of early urban life. In some places, you can glimpse these ruins protected by glass panels from the surface.

The Church of Saint Nicholas of Mirliki is an Orthodox church situated in the heart of Sofia. According to historical accounts, the original church was constructed by Emperor Constantine the Great himself, who declared Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. This architectural marvel dates back to the early 4th century and was built alongside a grand palace complex meant for the emperor.

Moving forward into the Middle Ages, specifically the 13th century, Sevastocrator Kaloyan chose this location to establish his residence and a new church. He did so by repurposing a Roman palace and an early Christian temple, respectively. During the period of Ottoman rule, the church was known as Sveti Nikola Golemi.

Historical records indicate that the church underwent renovations during the Bulgarian Renaissance. However, in 1944, during the bombing of Sofia, the three-aisled basilica that had stood the test of time was tragically obliterated.

In the 1950s, a new, smaller church was constructed under the guidance of Patriarch Kirill. To pay homage to the original temple, certain parts of the medieval structure's walls have been preserved, visible within the church's interior from its northern side.

Every year, hundreds of residents of Sofia visit this small chapel to be blessed by the saints. Its feast day is on December 6.

The Church of Saint George is a red brick rotunda dating from the 4th century. Originally built as part of a Roman bath complex in ancient Sofia, it is considered the oldest standing building in Bulgaria’s capital. The structure was converted into a Christian church in late Antiquity and today functions under the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The rotunda is cylindrical, set on a square base, and topped with a dome. Inside are remarkable frescoes from the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, with earlier layers dating back to the 10th century. A ring of 22 prophets surrounds the dome. These paintings were covered during the Ottoman period—when the church was used as a mosque—and rediscovered during restoration work in the 20th century.

The dome rises about 45 feet above the floor. Five distinct layers of frescoes have been documented. The oldest, Roman-Byzantine in style, features floral and geometric ornament. Above this is a medieval Bulgarian layer with 10th-century angels. The third layer is a frieze of prophets and scenes such as the Ascension and the Assumption. The fourth contains a 14th-century portrait of a bishop, while the final layer shows Islamic decoration added during Ottoman rule.

The church sits within a courtyard surrounded by former government buildings from the 1950s. On significant occasions, the rotunda is used for military ceremonies and concerts featuring classical or sacred music. A small archaeological zone around the entrance preserves remains of Roman streets, buildings, and an early Christian baptistery, offering visitors a rare glimpse of ancient Sofia.

The National Archaeological Museum occupies the building of the former Grand Mahmut Pasha Mosque, the largest and oldest surviving Ottoman mosque in Sofia. Established in 1893, the museum was the first institution of its kind in Bulgaria, led by its inaugural director, the Czech archaeologist and scholar Václav Dobruský. Although modern galleries have been added through the years, the museum still operates inside its original stone structure.

The Grand Mahmut Pasha Mosque, rather than being converted into a church after the end of Ottoman rule, it was repurposed as a library and later chosen to house the new national museum. Completed in 1494, it had been commissioned by Grand Vizier Veli Mahmud Pasha, a member of the Byzantine Angelos family of Thessaloniki who was captured as a child, raised within the Ottoman system, and elevated to high office after distinguishing himself during the 1456 siege of Belgrade.

Visiting the museum, you explore five main exhibition halls: the Central Hall, Prehistory Hall, Middle Ages Hall, Treasury Hall, and a gallery for rotating temporary exhibitions. It is recommend that you start from the Prehistory Hall, located on the lower floor of the north wing. There, you can observe objects ranging from 1,600,000 BC to 1,600 BC, tracing human presence from the earliest Paleolithic evidence to the dawn of complex societies.

in the eastern wing, you can access the Treasury Hall, showcasing rare and valuable items from the Bronze Age through late Antiquity, including intricate metalwork and ritual artifacts. The vast Main Hall on the first floor presents collections from ancient Greece and Rome, while the Medieval Section on the second floor explores Bulgaria’s early Christian and medieval heritage.

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre serves as Bulgaria's premier theatrical institution, boasting the distinction of being both the nation's oldest and most esteemed theater. It holds a prominent position among Sofia's notable landmarks, nestled in the heart of the city with its frontage overlooking the City Garden.

Established in 1904 by the accomplished artists of the Salza i Smyah company, it initially bore the straightforward title of the National Theatre. However, it was subsequently renamed in honor of the renowned writer Ivan Vazov. Notably, it also briefly carried the name Krastyu Sarafov from 1952 to 1962.

The theater's architectural design, a splendid example of Neoclassicism, was crafted by the famed Viennese theater architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner. It reached completion in 1906 and celebrated its grand opening on January 3, 1907. Tragically, a fire ravaged the building during a commemorative event in 1923, necessitating extensive restoration, which was undertaken in 1929 by the German architect Martin Dülfer.

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre boasts a well-appointed primary stage with a seating capacity of 750, complemented by a smaller stage accommodating 120 spectators and an additional 70-seat stage on the fourth floor. The theater's façade is prominently featured on the obverse side of the Bulgarian 50 levs banknote, issued in 1999 and 2006. Over the years, it has played host to productions by celebrated theater directors, including Lilia Abadjieva.

The Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church, formerly known as The Black Mosque, is a Bulgarian Orthodox church located in Sofia. It was established between 1901 and 1902 by converting an Ottoman mosque and was officially inaugurated on July 27, 1903. This church is dedicated to Cyril and Methodius and their five disciples, collectively referred to as the Sedmochislenitsi in the Orthodox Church.

The Black Mosque, constructed in 1528 under the order of Suleiman the Magnificent, aimed to outshine the Christian churches in the city in terms of grandeur and beauty. Although commonly attributed to the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, there is some uncertainty regarding its actual designer.

The mosque, measuring 25 meters in length, had a square layout with a large lead-covered dome. Adjacent to the modern church and the Count Ignatiev School, there now exists a small garden where a madrasah (a Muslim religious school) used to be situated. Following Bulgaria's liberation, this madrasah was repurposed as a prison. Nearby Ottoman structures included a caravanserai and a hammam.

Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev suggested converting the old Ottoman mosque into a Christian church. Bulgarian architects Milanov and Momchilov designed the dome, narthex, and bell tower in a Bulgarian Romantic style. The central hall and dome were retained, while four oval bays, a narthex, and an altar section were added during a year-long construction phase. Interior decoration was finished in 1996.

The mosque earned its colloquial name, the Black Mosque, due to the dark granite used in the construction of its minaret. The minaret collapsed during a 19th-century earthquake, leading the Ottomans to abandon the mosque. After Bulgaria's liberation in 1878, the building was repurposed as a military warehouse and prison.

The Sofia Seminary of Saint John of Rila, situated in Sofia, serves as the primary theological institution for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and offers higher education in ecclesiastical studies. Its history dates back to 1874 when it was originally established as the Samokov Theological School within the Saints Peter and Paul Monastery in Lyaskovets. Subsequently, it relocated to Sofia, thanks to a land donation from the city council, which facilitated the construction of a dedicated seminary building.

Construction of the Sofia Seminary began in 1902, with Knyaz Ferdinand of Bulgaria and Metropolitan Simeon of Varna and Veliki Preslav, along with various ministers and influential individuals, laying the foundation stone. The architectural design, executed by Friedrich Grünanger, an Austro-Hungarian architect, blended Eclecticism with elements of traditional Byzantine architecture. The construction was completed towards the end of 1902, and the seminary was formally inaugurated on January 20, 1903.

The Seminary Church of Saint John of Rila, a basilica with a single nave and cross-domed architecture, was opened on October 26, 1904, commemorating Saint Demetrius' Day.

Ariana is a moderately sized man-made lake situated within Knyaz Boris's Garden in Sofia. It has a distinctive "B" shape, measuring 175 meters in length and 75 meters in width, with a small island located at its narrowest point. Positioned in the northernmost section of the park, right in the city center, it lies between the Eagles' Bridge and the national stadium.

This lake was originally constructed during the late 19th century and has since served as a popular spot for leisurely strolls among the residents of Sofia. Over the years, it has featured water wheels and rowing boats. During the winter months, it often froze over, allowing people to enjoy ice skating on its surface.

In the mid-20th century, an island casino was constructed on the lake. However, in the early 1990s, the municipal government stopped maintaining the lake, leading to its drying up and remaining unused for nearly two decades. Fortunately, in 2007, efforts were made to renovate the lake and its surroundings, restoring it once more as a recreational area.

Interestingly, the lake shares its name with a brewery that used to stand a short distance to the north until it was demolished in 2004.

Eagles' Bridge (Orlov Most) is a prominent bridge spanning the Perlovska River in the heart of Sofia. Its name is derived from the four eagle statues adorning it, symbolically representing its protectors and patrons.

Eagles' Bridge, near Vasil Levski National Stadium and Sofia's key attractions, is a major intersection where Evlogi Georgiev Blvd and Tsarigradsko Shose intersect, with Tsar Ivan Asen II Street ending here. It's the gateway to Sofia's city center for travelers from the southeast via Tsarigradsko Shose.

This bridge was constructed in 1891 under the supervision of Czech architect Václav Prošek, in collaboration with his brother Jozef and cousins Bohdan and Jiří. They also jointly designed and erected the Lions' Bridge, located at the northern entry point to central Sofia, in 1889. The total cost of constructing Eagles' Bridge amounted to 80,000 golden leva. Remarkably, one of the bridge's columns and bronze eagle statues are featured on the reverse side of the Bulgarian 20 levs banknote, issued in both 1999 and 2007.

Eagles' Bridge has frequently served as a focal point for various protests. Notably, in 2012, it became the epicenter of ecological protests opposing construction projects on Vitosha mountain and the Dyuni nature spot on the Black Sea coast.

Since 2009, Eagles' Bridge has been connected to the Sofia University Metro Station on the Sofia Metro M1 line, offering convenient access to the public. Furthermore, in August 2020, the Orlov Most Metro Station on the M3 line was inaugurated, enhancing the transportation network in the area.

Construction of Sofia’s Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was dedicated to the Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878— the conflict that finally brought an end to centuries of Ottoman rule in Bulgaria. The cathedral takes its name from Saint Alexander Nevsky, the 13th-century prince whose title “Nevsky” refers to his famed victory over Swedish forces at the Battle of the Neva River in 1240.

The cathedral’s design was created by Alexander N. Pomerantsev, a Russian architect known for his eclectic style. He envisioned a grand Neo-Byzantine cross-domed basilica, drawing inspiration from early Eastern Orthodox architecture. Multiple domes rise above the structure, culminating in a uppermost dome sheathed in real gold. With its arches and monumental presence, the cathedral is often described as one of the largest Orthodox church buildings in the world.

If you stand on the square in front of the cathedral and look up, you will see a gold dome above the bell tower. The bell tower holds twelve bells weighing a total of 23 tons. The larger central golden dome behind it reaches 148 feet in height, while the nave roof spans an impressive 92 feet. As you step inside, you will notice its vast interior—covering 34,000 square feet—and said to be able to accommodate up to 5,000 worshipers.

One of the treasures inside is a pair if royal thrones located on a raised platform in front of the iconostasis. Above the thrones, in the arch, is a mosaic portrait of King Ferdinand and Queen Eleonore in full ceremonial robes, holding a model of the cathedral. Near the altar, a reliquary displays a rib believed to belong to Saint Alexander Nevsky himself. It is recommended that you visit the crypt museum beneath the cathedral, as it houses one of Europe’s largest collections of Orthodox icons.

The cathedral also preserves notable historical artifacts and craftsmanship. The Italian-made marble iconostasis remains one of its most admired features. The crypt museum, open separately from the main sanctuary, displays over 300 icons spanning the 9th to the 19th century, offering one of the most comprehensive surveys of Orthodox icon painting in Europe.

The final years of Ottoman rule in Bulgaria brought dramatic changes to Sofia’s skyline. In 1882, the Saray Mosque was demolished, leaving an open plot of land directly beside the Russian Embassy. With Bulgaria newly liberated after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, the location seemed almost destined for an official Russian church—a symbol of gratitude and alliance.

The church was dedicated to Saint Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, the patron saint of Tsar Nicholas II. Russian architect Mikhail Preobrazhenski designed it in a distinct Russian Revival style. Its exterior shimmers with multicolored tiles, while the interior frescoes were painted by the same team responsible for the murals in the grand cathedral next door. Above the church rise five gold-plated domes, accompanied by a carillon gifted by Tsar Nicholas II.

Construction began in 1907, and the church was consecrated in 1914, just as the Russian Empire was approaching its own collapse. Remarkably, the Russian Church remained open throughout Bulgaria’s Communist period. While many religious institutions faced pressure or closure, this one continued to hold services under close, but ultimately non-interfering, state supervision.

One of the most significant features of the church lies below ground: the crypt, which contains the relics of Saint Archbishop Seraphim Sobolev. As the leading figure of Russian Orthodoxy in Bulgaria from 1921 until his death in 1950, he became a beloved spiritual guide. After his canonization, accounts of miracles began to circulate, and visitors today still leave handwritten notes at his tomb, asking for help or blessing.

The church has two entrances, each marked by a meaningful image. The south entrance on Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard bears the face of Saint Nicholas, while the north entrance, opening toward a nearby park, features the likeness of Alexander Nevsky. For visitors interested in learning more, guided tours are available with advance arrangement.

The Amphitheatre of Serdica once stood in the ancient Roman city of Ulpia Serdica, which is modern-day Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Discovered in 2004, with follow-up excavations in 2005 and 2006, the amphitheatre in present-day Sofia dates back to the 3rd-4th centuries AD. Built atop a damaged 2nd-3rd century theater ruined by the Goths, it was only in use for a short time and left abandoned by the 5th century.

The Amphitheatre of Serdica was one of the largest in the eastern part of the Roman Empire and the largest in what is now Bulgaria. It was located outside the city walls of Serdica and hosted gladiator battles and fights between wild animals. These events were advertised at the city's entrance.

Since 1919, the presence of a Roman amphitheater in ancient Serdica has been suggested. A stone plate displaying the amphitheater's facade and gladiator battles with animals, including crocodiles, bears, bulls, and wild cats, was discovered near Bulgaria's Council of Ministers building. This plate, likely used as an advertisement for such events, is now exhibited at Sofia's National Archaeological Institute with the Museum of Bulgaria.

The amphitheater was found by accident in 2004 during the construction of the Arena di Serdica Hotel in Sofia. More arena sections were discovered in July 2006 while excavating the foundation of a nearby National Electric Company office building.

Approximately 1/6th of the hotel's property, including the eastern entrance and a section of the amphitheatre, has been preserved and incorporated into the hotel's ground floor. These remains are open to tourists daily (except Mondays) and feature an exhibition of coins and ceramics found on-site. In 2007, excavation work at the National Electric Company's site uncovered the western entrance and part of the amphitheatre, prompting efforts to halt the planned construction on that site.

The Church of Saint Paraskeva is an important Bulgarian Orthodox church situated in the heart of Sofia, on Georgi Rakovski Street. It stands as the third-largest church in the city.

The origins of this church project can be traced back to 1910 when the Bulgarian architect Anton Tornyov, who had received his education in Stuttgart, won a design competition for the church. Unfortunately, due to the disruptions caused by the Balkan Wars and World War I, construction was postponed. However, in 1922, the church's board of trustees organized another design competition, which was once again won by Anton Tornyov. Construction of the Church of Saint Paraskeva finally began and was completed by 1930, although some final touches to the porticos continued until 1940.

One notable aspect of Saint Paraskeva's design is its unique approach compared to typical Eastern Orthodox churches. For instance, the central chamber, known as the cella, takes on a round shape with a diameter exceeding 20 meters (66 feet), gradually merging into the surrounding apses.