About Bulgaria
Capital : Sofia
Ethnic Groups : Bulgarian 76.9%, Turkish 8%, Roma 4.4%, other 0.7% (including Russian, Armenian, and Vlach), other (unknown) 10% (2011 est.)
Languages : Bulgarian (official) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Roma 3.8%, other 0.7%, unspecified 10.5% (2011 est.)
Religions : Eastern Orthodox, Islam
Time Zone : GMT +2 (DST - GMT +3)
Country Phone Code : 359
Currency : Bulgarian Leva, BGN
Visa : Not required for Malaysia and Singapore passport holders (up to 90 days)
Geographic Location :
It lies in Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe bordering the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, Romania to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south. Bulgaria also borders Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia along the sea. Bulgaria is strategically located near Turkish Straits making it the control point of key land routes connecting Europe to Middle East and Asia.
Date Visited : Planning to visit in April 2015
Total Expenses : To be updated
Route Of Travel : Maybe Sofia --> Varna --> Veliko Tarnovo (To be updated)
Trivia : A nod of the head means no and a shake of the head means yes. Tipping up to 10 to 12 percent is customary for all services including restaurants, bars, clubs, taxis etc.
Overview
Bulgaria, which is officially known as the
Republic of Bulgaria, is located in the Balkans in southeastern Europe.
The country is made up of 28 regions and is home to over eight million
people, most of who speak Bulgarian and practice Eastern Orthodox
Christianity. The National Holiday is March 3rd, marking the
day Bulgaria was liberated from the Ottoman Empire in 1878. Bulgaria has
been a member of the European Union since 1992. The area is rich with
over 600 mineral springs and home to several rivers, such as the Danube,
and lakes that are surrounded by curative mineral mud.
Activities & Attractions
There are several sites within Bulgaria that are on the UNESCO list
of landmarks. One of these sights is a grave. Believed to have been
created in the 4th century BC, these beautiful murals in the
burial chamber of a Thracian tomb are considered artistic treasures. The
Kazanlak Tomb and the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari have beautiful artwork
decorated in them.
The Madara Horseman is a figure cut into the Madara rocks of the
Provadiisko Plateau. This is art dating back to the Middle Ages and it's
believed to be the only one of its kind in Europe. There are many
monasteries in Bulgaria. The Ivanovo Rock Churches are considered a
prime example of Bulgarian medieval art.
The area is famous for its spas that are known for their curative
mineral waters coming from one of the hundreds of springs in Bulgaria.
You can visit one of many sights for cultural tourism and various
museums, including one designed to preserve the local architecture. You
can also view the Vulchitrun Gold Treasure, a set of golden vessels,
which was probably meant to be used in sacred rituals, that was
unearthed in 1924. There is also the Rouse Treasure, a 900-grade silver
treasure in Borovo that was unearthed in 1974.
Lodging
Travelers have a wide variety of options to choose from when it comes
to lodging in Bangladesh. Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, offers fine
hotels for those who want all the amenities and budget-friendly
accommodations for those who don't. You can find bed & breakfast
inns starting at about $70 per night, and for the truly budget conscious
who don't mind sleeping dormitory style with up to seven other people
in the same room, you can stay in a Sofia hotel for about $13 per night.
For single private rooms with a shared bathroom, the cost is about $45
per night per person.
Transportation
The major air hub is the Sofia's Vrazhdebna Airport. Two more
international airports are in Varna and Bourgas. Rental cars, taxis,
buses, and railways are all used to get from Sarajevo to other cities,
as well as inner city travel. You also have water transport in Bulgaria,
but they are quite expensive.
Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and its
largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, today the city continues
to develop as the country’s cultural and economic center. At present,
the city has a population of 1,250,000.
Sofia is located in the western part of
the country, on The Sofia Plain and on the lower slopes of Mount
Vitosha. The city’s average altitude is 550 meters above sea level, the
climate is moderate and continental, characterized by cold winters and
relatively cool summers. The average temperature in January is 1 degree
below zero Centigrade, and the average July temperature is 20 degrees
Centigrade.
The city is located at a strategic
crossroads. The route from Western Europe to Istanbul passes through
Sofia via Beograd and Skopje, then through Plovdiv to Turkey. Sofia also
connects The Near East and The Middle East, lying between the banks of
The Danube and the shores of The White Sea on the one hand, and between
The Black Sea and The Adriatic on the other.
Sofia is relatively close to the capitals
of most Balkan countries: Ankara is 1,012 km; Athens is 837 km; Beograd
is 374 km; Bucharest is 395 km; Zagreb is 762 km; Ljubljana is 897 km;
Sarajevo is 549 km; Skopje is 239 km; Tirana is 553 km.
Three freeways begin in Sofia: Trakia,
Lyulin, and Hemus. The Sofia Airport provides travelers with convenient
connections to all major European cities, and from the central train
station and bus station passengers can reach every destination in the
country.
Sofia has been settled for many
millennia. In honor of its hot springs, in the 8th century BCE the
Thracian tribes settled here gave the city its first name – Serdika or
Serdonpolis.In the 1st century BCE, Serdika was captured by the Romans,
who transformed it into a Roman city. During the reign of Emperor Marcus
Ulpius Trajan (reign 98-117 CE), the city took his name, Ulpia Serdika,
and became the administrative center of the region. Serdika was the
favorite city of Constantine the Great (reign 306-337), who said
“Serdika is my Rome.” In roughly 175, massive fortified walls, with four
watchtowers were built to protect the city , and a second outer
fortified wall was added during the 5th-6th centuries. The city’s
flourished for a second time under Justinian the Great (reign 527-565).
At the beginning of the 9th century, the Bulgarian Han Krum (reign
803-814) invaded Serdika. The city became an inseparable part of The
First Bulgarian Empire (7th-9th centuries) under Han Omurtag (reign
814-831). At this time the city was renamed Sredets (The Center),
because of its central strategic location. From 1018-1094, Sredets was
under Byzantine rule, but still remained an important strategic,
economic, and cultural center. During the time of The Second Bulgarian
Empire (1185-1393), Sredets took on the appearance of a large Medieval
city – its narrow, crowded streets witnessed the construction of more
and more small churches and monasteries, which later became Sofia’s Holy
Mountain. The city gained its present name at the end of the 14th
century, in honor of the city’s major symbol, The Saint Sofia Basilica.
In 1382, the city fell to the Ottomans.
It was liberated five centuries later, in 1878, and on April 3, 1879 it
was declared the capital of the newly-liberated Bulgarian nation.
Sofia preserves many valuable monuments
to its long and storied past. Visitors exploring the city’s streets can
see remnants of The Eastern Gate from the days when Sofia was Serdika
and Sredets, dating from the 2nd-4th centuries CE. These remains are
exhibited in the underpass connecting the Presidential Palace and The
Ministerial Council, surrounded by shops selling traditional Bulgarian
souvenirs and rosewater.
The Saint Sofia Basilica, founded during
the reign of Justinian (reign 527-565), is one of the oldest churches in
the capital. It was the city’s major church during the Middle Ages, and
under the Ottomans it was used as a mosque. Very close to Saint Sofia
is The Memorial Church Saint Alexander Nevsky, now one of the city’s
most recognizable symbols. This church was built in 1912, and was
designed by the Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev. Its bell tower
rises to a height of 53 meters, and houses 53 bells, the heaviest
weighing 10 tons. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Sofia,
the church can hold roughly 5,000 people, and on important Christian
holidays it is filled with believers. In the church’s crypt, there is an
exhibit of Orthodox Christian art. Directly across from the church is
The National Gallery of Art, which often exhibits works by world-famous
artists.
The oldest church in Sofia is the Saint
George Rotunda. It is thought that the church was built in the 6th
century, during the reign of Constantine the Great. In the rotunda’s
immediate proximity, in the underpass leading to the Serdika metro
station, is The Saint.
Petka Samardzhiyska Church, built in the
11th century. Another Christian monument in the region is the Saint
Joseph Catholic Cathedral. While walking in the area, visitors will also
see the Banya Bashi Mosque, built in the 16th century. Not far from the
mosque is a synagogue, which houses a museum. There is hardly another
city in all of Europe that has so many noteworthy Christian, Islamic,
and Jewish monuments so close together. In the immediate vicinity, other
historical remains are preserved, such as the municipal baths, the
marketplace, and The Holy Sunday Church. Adjacent to this church is the
Theological Seminary, which houses The National Historical and
Archeological Museum. Other points of interest in the city include The
Lion Bridge, The Eagle Bridge, The Russian Monument, and the monument to
Vasil Levski (a Bulgarian revolutionary hero who gave has life in the
struggle to free Bulgaria from the Ottomans in the 19th century).
In the midst of the city’s religious
landmarks, directly across from The Presidential Palace, is The National
Archeological Museum, which has in its collection some of the most
valuable treasures discovered in Bulgaria.
Masterpieces of Bulgarian painting are on
display at The National Art Gallery, located in what was formerly the
Bulgarian Royal Palace. The National Museum of Ethnography is also
located here, and The Museum of Natural History is a very short distance
away, with exhibits of plants and animals that are very valuable, and
even some that can no longer be seen in the wild. Right in front of this
museum if The Saint Nikolai Church, which is an architectural landmark.
The Parliament Building, Monument to the Liberator (in honor of the
Russian Tsar Alexander II, who was instrumental in freeing Bulgaria from
Ottoman rule), and the campus of Sofia University “Saint Kliment
Ohradski” are three more of the city’s major symbols. Without a doubt,
one of the most beautiful buildings in Sofia is The Ivan Vazov National
Theater.
On the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha, in
the Boyana District, is located The National Museum of History, with its
collection from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum has
one of the largest collections anywhere, with over 700,000 items of
cultural importance. Close to the museum is The Boyana Church, one of
the Bulgarian monuments that is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage
sites.
There are many more capitals in the city,
such as The Polytechnical Museum, The Museum of Anthropology, and The
Sports Museum. Since it is the nation’s capital, Sofia constantly plays
host to important cultural and musical events, conferences, and sports
competitions. The National Palace of Culture, the city’s football
stadiums, and the city’s large halls are venues for concerts and
performances by famous individuals and groups.
During the months of May and June, The
Palace of Culture will welcome performers participating in the festival
“Sofia Music Weeks.” The capital’s many theaters and galleries offer a
wide range of interesting exhibits and shows.
The city is a preferred destination for
international congresses, and there are a great many halls and centers
offering possibilites for every need. For example, one of the city’s
most popular venues for business forums and trade fairs is The National
Palace of Culture.
Sofia is also home to Bulgaria’s most
prestigious and larges educational institutions – universities,
colleges, and middle schools that offer solidly-grounded, up-to-date
instruction in such disciplines as Architecture, Medicine, The
Humanities, Engineering, Music and Choreography, and Fine Arts.
Near Sofia, in the Vitosha, Lozen, and
Stara Planina (Central Balkan) Mountains, over the centuries so many
monasteries have been founded that they came to be known as Sofia’s Holy
Mountains. They can be considered as a single complex, and played an
important role in preserving the Bulgarian spiritual heritage during the
centuries of Ottoman occupation. Still standing are The Dragalevski,
Lozen, Germanski, Kremikovski, Cherepishki, and Osenovlashki
Monasteries, among others.
Opportunities for sport and recreation in
the capital are many and varied – outdoor swimming pools, tennis
courts, modern gymnasiums and sports halls, and parks. The city’s
stadiums draw thousands of fans for matches between major football
teams.
Sofia’s parks are a favorite place for
rest and recreation. Borisov Park is right in the center of the city,
and South Park is next to the National Palace of Culture. There are two
golf courses within an hour’s drive of the city, in the city of Ihtiman
and the village of Ravno Polye, both offering excellent facilities to
play and practice this sport that is becoming more and more popular in
Bulgaria. During the winter, the ski resort on Mount Vitosha is a
favorite with skiers and snowboarders alike, and during the summer it is
a favorite place for hikers and picnickers. Mount Vitosha borders on
The Vitosha Natural Park, which is the oldest nature reserve on the
Balkan Peninsula. The species of flora in the park are particularly rich
and varied. Ten of the peaks in the Vitosha Range are over 2,000
meters; the highest is Cherni Vrah (Black Peak), in the center of the
park, at 2,290 meters. Since Mount Vitosha is a preferred destination
for the capital’s residents, its fields and paths are alive with nature
lovers. For more information about the park, please contact the Vitosha
Nature Preservation Information Center, located roughly 1 km from the
Dragolevtsi Quarter, close to the Dragolevtsi Monastery.
There are two ski centers on Mount
Vitosha to accommodate visitors to this very popular sports destination.
They are Aleko and Konyarnika. Aleko is at an altitude of 1,800 meters,
and its slopes face north. It also has facilities for night skiing. The
Konyarnika Center is 1,507 meters high. There are a total of 29 km of
ski runs on Vitosha, and the longest is 5 km. The maximum vertical dro
is 780 meters. The slopes are suitable for both experienced skiers
beginners.
The Sofia Zoological Garden in the
southern part of the city is the country’s larges zoo. It is a favorite
place for a day’s outing for young and old alike.
Sofia offers many places for its children
to play. The parks are equipped with safe, modern, playground
equipment, and there are both children’s playgrounds and indoor
recreational facilities for children.
Like every big city, Sofia has something
for every taste. There are a great many luxury hotels, including those
that are part of international hotel chains. There is also a wide
variety of hostels and smaller family guesthouses. There are a multitude
of discotheques, restaurants, bars, piano bars, folk clubs, taverns,
soda fountains, fast food outlets and many other kinds of entertainment.
Sofia and the immediate vicinity also
boast a great many spa complexes. The hot springs at Bankya, a nearby
resort offer wonderful facilities for rest, recreation, and wellness.
There are ten spa centers within the capital’s city limits offering
peace and relaxation, along with therapeutic and beauty treatments.
One of Sofia’s favorite spots for both
visitors and residents is Vitosha Boulevard. Here thee are shops
carrying world-famous brands, and since it s a pedestrian zone, it a
very pleasant place for strolling and relaxation. In general, the
capital is a shoppers delight, since Sofia is still one of the major
crossroads on the Balkan Peninsula for trade of all kinds
The city’s annual celebration is observed
on September 17, in honor of the martyrdom of Saint Sofia and her three
daughters Vyara (Faith), Nadezhda (Hope), and Lyubov (Love).
Point of my interest:
Rila Monastery ~ located in the southwestern Rila Mountains, about 120km from Sofia which is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is even depicted on the back of the 1 RON bank note, issued in 1999.
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| Rila Monastery |
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| National Palace Of Culture |
Varna’s
origins back to almost five millennia, but it wasn’t until seafaring
Greeks founded a colony here in 585 BC that the town became a port. The
modern city is both a shipyard and port for incoming freighters and the
navy, and a riviera town visited by tourists of every nationality.
It’s a cosmopolitan place and a nice one
to scroll through: Baroque, turn-of-the-century and contemporary
architecture pleasantly blended with shady promenades and a handsome
seaside garden.
Some Facts About The City of Varna
Near the port of Varna, the oldest gold treasure in the world (dated
from 4,500 BC) was found In 1972; an ancient necropolis with 280 tombs
and 3,010 golden objects were found weighing over 6 kg altogether.
According to experts it is the oldest processed gold ever found in
Europe.
Today Varna is the largest city on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast and is
the main port for both naval and commercial shipping. Because it is a
close neighbor to the popular coastal resorts of Golden Sands, St.
Constantine & Helena, and Albena, Varna has a cosmopolitan
atmosphere. Varna is also the host city of numerous prestigious cultural
events.
The city lies in the Bay of Varna, nestled in a deep valley between
the Frengen Plateau and the Avren Plateau. Varna is over 11 km long,
while its width, including newly erected residential quarters, is
nearly 9km. The city’s structure resembles an amphitheatre as it
follows the curves of the Bay of Varna. It is surrounded by gardens,
vineyards and groves.
During occupation by Turkish forces in the last decades of the 14th
century, Varna preserved its significance as a port and trade center. As
Bulgaria fell under the Ottoman yoke, the only bearers of the Bulgarian
cultural tradition remained within the folklore, the people’s
festivities, and the church paintings.
In 1881, after the liberation, the mayor of Varna Mihail Koloni
brought up the question about a modern public park. His offer was at
first scoffed by the local municipal councilors but a fund for the
project was granted. Soon the park enlarged to 26 decares, 130 trees
were planted, paths were cleared and ”towards nightfall alleys thronged
by a long train of gentlemen and dressed-up ladies”.
Varna lies on the same latitude of the famous Atlantic resorts
Bayonne and Biarritz in France, on a large, flat and high terrace on the
northwestern most curve of the bay which juts some 7 km inland.
Quick Link :
Sofia Metro Website
Sofia Showing Station
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| Infofact By Sedunia Travel |
to be continued.....
Happy Friday to all.
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