- Sofia
- Plovdiv
- Varna
- Veliko Tarnovo
Sofia
The largest city in Bulgaria is located at the foot of the picturesque mountainous area Vitosha, which is called Sofia’s lungs because of its slopes covered with forests and meadows. There are several seat-lifts, leading to the peak of the massive (Cherni vrah – Black peak) and in its spurs are located the numerous tourist cabins. Sofia is one of the youngest capitals in Europe (it became a capital in 1879). The archaelogical excavations showed that two thousand years ago on the spot for modern Sofia were Thracian settlers. There are many interesting architectural monuments in the city, among which are the ancient church St. Sofia (V -VI century), the majestic cathedral Aleksandr Nevsky (1904-1912), buildings of Sofia's university “Kliment Ohridskiy" (1888) and the theater “Ivan Vazov”.
Plovdiv
The second largest city of modern Bulgaria is located in the south-east of Sofia on three hills among The Thracian plains. In Plovdiv especially sharply feels the connection of times. Here were preserved the antique fragments of urban forum, stadium, amphitheatre of Philip II Macedonian, basilicas, therms, public and habitable buildings. The antique theater in 3000 seats is restored, and there are arranged performances again. There are some remains from the time of Turkish dominion in Plovdiv like mosque Imaret (1444-1445) and Dzhumaya, and also one of the oldest in Europe clock tower. Remains from the epoch of Bulgarian Revival includes three-Nef basilica churches St. Nedelia, St. Dimitar (both 1831) and St. Marina (1853-1854). The most valuable works of the art from that time - the carved gold-plated iconostases and the icons of the brush of Zachari Zograf, famous master of church and cloister painting, can be seen in the churches of St. Helena and St. Constantin (both 1832).
Varna
Varna - successor of ancient civilizations, who passed the tests of time, nowadays Varna is one of the most beautiful bulgarian cities, which is called the pearl of the bulgarian Black Sea. Here you will be able to complete jaunt on the richly illustrated millennial history of Varna, and also to become acquainted with the local sights, which form the appearance of the city.Varna is the third on the population city in Bulgaria, more than 350 thousand inhabitants. It is important industrial, economic, cultural and tourist center of the country. Varna is famous by its historical architectural monuments, museums and galleries of art. Outlying districts are the natural preserve of Kamchiya, one of the quietest and calmest corners on the coast; the royal palace in Balchik and stretched at the foot of hills Aladzha monastery... Jaunt around the city and acquaintance with its sights is good to begin from the Independence square, over which stands the building of opera hall. Begin the tour with visiting the fortress walls of the epoch of ancient Rome and round tower, then – the Cathedral ”Uspenie Bogorodichno”, old clock tower in the city garden, pass on the residential sections, whose streets are hidden in the shadow of chestnuts and platans, and soon you will get to the port...
Veliko Tarnovo
At the northern foot of Stara Planina (Old mountains) is located an old-throned town Veliko Tarnovo - capital of second Bulgarian kingdom (1187-1393). City lies on the high hills, one of which - hill Tsarevets - is the natural inaccessible fortress, where were built king’s palace, the patriarch church, the fortress walls (thickness - to 3 m, a height - 12 m) and other constructions. The hilly relief determines and the contemporary planning of Veliko Tarnovo, where houses are located one above others on the slopes of almost perpendicular cliffs, getting down to the very bank of the river Yantra. Among the numerous historical and architectural monuments of the city there are the medieval churches St. Dimitar Solunski, St. Petar and Pavel, St. 40 machenika, in the last one the oldest in the world eastern - orthodox biblical calendar is stored. Monuments from the late Revival period, which attract attention are the splendid models of architecture, created by master Kolyu Ficheto - the most famous architect of the epoch of the Bulgarian Revival.
