All of Sofia. Transport, culture and sights. Food, streets and ... mountain. Unique experience!
Muzeiko
Muzeiko was created and built on the initiative of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, which has invested $20 million in the project. The concept for the building, Site Planning, Architectural Design, Interpretive Planning/Exhibition and Interior Design and part of the Graphic Design were developed by Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership Team (LHSA+DP), a leading American company specializing in the creation of children’s museums.
All of Muzeiko’s content was developed by leading scientists, educators and designers and is in line with contemporary trends in education. The exhibits are based on the theory of learning through play and applied activities, multiple intelligences, suggestopedia, and other techniques for accelerated learning and expanding children’s potential.
The Sofia Largo
Symbols of Sofia / Part 1/
The iconic sites and buildings
1. Coat of Sofia
Sofia emblem is created back in 1900. The reason for this is Bulgaria's participation in the Universal Exhibition in Paris. Made in 1900 by the artist Haralampy Tachev.
The shape of the coat of arms is a shield divided into four parts. Above the shield is placed a mural crown. In the upper left heraldic field depicts the goddess Ulpia Serdika / Profile Roman imperiatritsa Julia Domna / .In the upper right field - the church "St. Sofia" in the lower left field - the Vitosha mountain in the lower right field - golden canopy over the statue of Apollo ( image of an ancient coin symbolizing healing mineral springs in the town and its surroundings). In the center of the emblem is a lion. The motto of Sofia "grows but does not age" was added 11 years after the creation of the emblem.
2. The statue of "St. Sofia"
Statue of Sofia's 26-meter monument raised in honor of the coming of the third millennium.
Its creator is a sculptor George Chapkanov architect of the monument is Stanislav Konstantinov. It represents the world Sofia protector and patron of grada. This is a young woman holding a laurel wreath in one hand and the other is perched sova- symbol of wisdom and knowledge. The statue is 8 meters high and 8 sm. Asembled is 160 parts, weighs about five tons and is placed on the 12-meter pedestal. It is surrounded by the Presidency, Council of Ministers and Central Department Store.
3. The Church of "St. Sofia"
Address: str. "Paris" 2, 1000 Sofia, tel .: 02 987 0971
The church was built in the VI. During the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527-565) on the foundations of 4 older Christian temple of the fourth century. The temple is the oldest relic of the city, built on the highest hill at the time.
In the heyday of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the basilica "St. Sofia "acquired the status of bishop's cathedral church. At the end of the sixteenth century was converted into a mosque, then earthquakes in the nineteenth century was abandoned and turned into sklad. The liberation from Ottoman rule in January finds dilapidated. In 1900 in the southern ship is designed chapel and after 1911 be taken to preserve and restore the basilica. It is again open to worshipers in 1998
The basilica is a cross basilica with narthex / hall / three ships and trammel apse Byzantine stil. The church no steeple.
On the south facade and is built main official memorial to republikata- Monument of the Unknown Soldier and the east facade and is buried national poet Ivan Vazov.
4.Hram-monument "St. Alexander Nevski"
Address: pl. "St. Alexander Nevski", Sofia 1000, tel .: 02 988 1704
Hours of temple every day from 7 to 17:30.
Hours crypt: 10:30 and 18:00 (summer time).
This is the second largest church in the Balkans, after the church "Saint Sava" in Belgrade and serves as the cathedral church of the Bulgarian patriarch. Around the cathedral square is the same name. The temple is one of
the most typical symbols of Sofia.
Cathedral "St. Alexander Nevsky" was designed and build Orthodox Church in honor of Alexander II, called "Tsar Liberator" because in 1878 his army liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. The temple was designed by Russian architect prof. Alexander Pomerantzev. The foundation stone was laid in 1882 and construction is fully completed in 1912 year. He has a height of 53 meters and an area of ​​3170 square meters
An imposing size nave church in neo-Byzantine style - a cross basilica with emphasized central kupol. The Interior is of marble, onyx, alabaster and others. The bell tower of the temple high near 53 m. And has 12 bells with a total weight of 23 tons, which are made in Moscow.
Crypt of the monumental temple, which is under the earth was meant to serve as a tomb After 1965 it was converted into a museum of medieval art and antique stores and the most valuable exhibits in the cathedral.
In 1955 the cathedral was declared a cultural monument of national importance.
5. National Theatre "Ivan Vazov"
Address: str. "Deacon Ignatius' 5, 1000 Sofia, tel .: 02/8119 219
Official website:
National Theatre opened on January 3, 1907 From 1906 to 1952 the troupe named National Theatre, and from 1952 to 1962 people-hood Theatre "Theatre." From 1962 until today the official name a National Theatre "Ivan Vazov".
The building of the theater was designed by the architect. Herman Helmer and in the style of neoclassical architecture. On February 10, 1923 fire broke out which destroyed the theater. The building of the National Theatre was reconstructed in the period 1924-1928, designed by the German architect Martin Duelfer.
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The Sofia Largo
Symbols of Sofia / Part 2/
The iconic sites and buildings:
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6. National Palace of Culture / NPC /
Address: bul. "Bulgaria", 1463, tel .: 088 621 7240
Official website: http://ndk.bg/
National Palace of Culture is a national cultural center for conferences, exhibitions and special sabitiya. The purpose building is to be used for cultural proyavi. This is the largest convention center in Southeast Europe.
The building was completed ahead of schedule in less than four years and was opened on 31 March 1981. Head designer of the main building is arh. Aleksandar bars and team, the park and the area around the palace are the work of arh. Atanas Agoura and inzh. Valentina Atanasova.
Situated on 123 000 square meters area, built on eight floors and three underground niva. Nave in with 15 , the largest of which is the hall 1. In the central lobby is gilded sculpture "Renaissance." Stylized sun-work of sculptor George Chapkanov a sign symbol of the NPC.
7. monument of Vasil Levski
Vasil Levski (1837g.-1873) is a Bulgarian national hero, revolutionary, chairman of BRCK and ideologist of the national liberation movement as "the Apostle of Bulgarian freedom." Levski was hanged by the Turks in 1973, on the outskirts of Sofia where now is his memorial.
It is built on 22 October 1895 year. Designed of architect Adolf Kolar. The height is 13 meters and is made of gray granite Balkan, a bronze bas-relief on the face of Levski / medallion placed in the west side / . The monument consists of irregular four-sided pyramid, on which stands a granite truncated pyramid. The four sides are richly decorated with various stone sculptures and inscriptions related to the personality of Levski.
8. Lion Bridge
Lion's Bridge is crossing a bridge in the center of the city. Located in the center of the crossroad of. "Marie-Louise" Boulevard. "Slivnitsa". Situated above Vladayska river. Its name comes from four bronze sculptures of lions located in the four corners. The project is Vaclav Proshek. His performance took place in 1889-1890, the company of "Brothers Proshek" . The lions symbolize the four hanged by the Turks, Bulgarians booksellers. The bridge is 26 meters long and 18.1 meters wide.
9. Eagle Bridge
Eagle Bridge is a major intersection and a bridge in the city center. Its name comes from the bronze statues of eagles on nego. Located over Perlovska river. After the entry into Sofia from east blvd. "Tsarigradsko Shosse", the bridge is the first intersection, through which enters in the very center of grada. The bridge was built in 1891 as a symbol of freedom, because here they first met Bulgarian prisoners and exiles from Diyarbakir.
10. Borisova Gradina
Borisova Gradina Park is the largest park in Sofia. Its area is 3.02 square kilometers. The park is a favorite place for walking, recreation and entertainment in the center of grada. Before its place was a Turkish military polygon and Turkish cemetery. First, the park is named Nursery, subsequently Pipinier, Tsarigradska garden, Knyaz-Borisova gradina. In period 1944-1989 the name is changed to Freedom Park. After 1989 the park was again named Boris III.
Today the park is one of the most visited places in the capital. Complex there are 2 stadium (National Stadium "Vasil Levski" and the stadium of FC CSKA - "Bulgarian Army"), Ariana lake, pond with water lilies, tennis courts, playgrounds, fountains, a summer stage for concerts, monuments, statues, playgrounds, restaurants, cafes and other...
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