SofiaTraveller.info

Sofia Travel Guide

Sofia is a dynamic Eastern European capital, distinguished by its unique combination of architecture styles and many beautiful orthodox churches. It claims to be one of the few capitals with a developed ski-resort so close to it - Vitosha mountain.

About Sofia

Sofia covers an area of 520.9 sq. miles (1349 square Km) and is estimated to have a population of 1.3 million people being the capital and the largest city in Bulgaria. It is one of the Europe's oldest cities, its recorded history spans at least 2,000 years.

The Archelogical Museum (Arheologicheski musei)

arch.jpgThe museum shelters a huge collection of archaeological finds from all Bulgaria in four sections: - Prehistory, - Antiquity, - Middle Ages, and - Coins. Housed in the 15th-century Buyuk Mosque (Big Mosque), the National Archaeological Museum is worth visiting just for the building itself. The interior is airy and well lit and all exhibits are labelled in Bulgarian and English. Most of the pieces are of Thracian, Greek and Roman origin and there is a mosaic rescued from the floor of the St Sofia church. The Vulchitrun Treasure – a 12.5kg (27lb) collection of 13 decorated and strangely shaped vessels of solid gold, probably used by a King-Priest during Thracian religious rituals – is upstairs in a guarded room of its own. It is best for English tourists to visit with a Bulgarian speaker, as the guard knows a great deal about what is to be found here. This is helpful, as the captions in the museum are vague. There are a few antiques and reproductions for sale in the museum foyer. Some of the larger carved Roman marbles are displayed in the courtyard. Open hours: 10.00 h - 18.00 h. everyday except Mondays. Duration: Depends on you, might take 30 min or up to 4 hours. Price: 5 leva for foreigners (about EUR 2.5)

  • Address: 2, Saborna str.
  • Phone: +359 (2) 988 24 06
  • Directions: - right across the Presidency - next to Bulgarian National Bank
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