Top Things to do in Sofia Region
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10 Sights & Landmarks in Sofia Region That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Sofia Region, Bulgaria including Rila Monastery, Kremikovtsi Monastery of Saint George, Boyana Church, St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Catedral de Sveta-Nedelya, Saint Nikolas Russian Church (Tsurkva Sveta Nikolai), The Rotunda Church of St George, Saint Sofia Church, Tsarska Bistritsa, Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church.
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1. Rila Monastery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,885 reviews
Founded in the 10th century, this monastery was restored in the 15th and again in the 19th century.
Reviewed By 118val - Shepparton, Australia
Rila Monastery is considered to be one of Bulgaria's most holy sites and is UNESCO listed. It is situated in the Rila Mountains in the deep valley of the Riska River. Apparently named after the hermit Ivan of Rila from 876 - 946 AD. The Monastery was founded in the 10th century and was the spiritual and cultural center during the 12th to 14th century. The richly engraved gates lead into a stunning view of the Monastery. Our first visit was to the Museum which housed some amazing artifacts such as old books, beautifully embroidered robes belonging to the clergy and an incredible wooden cross that was intricately carved. We then viewed the stunning external vivid coloured paintings covering the external walls, the interior is equally as stunning but you cannot photograph the interior. Once outside we could see the towers where guards use to protect the site, around the edge of the complex are the monks rooms. The building is well maintained and painted with a series of wooden stair cases and balconies. It is well worth a visit.
2. Kremikovtsi Monastery of Saint George
3. Boyana Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,836 reviews
Located at the foot of Mt. Vitosha, Bojana Church is about 900 years old. The church houses the National Museum, which focuses on regional history, art and cultural artifacts.
Reviewed By brenhell
If you manage to make it up the hill, this church is well worth the journey and 10 Lev entrance fee. The interior has amazing 13th century frescos. Note that the visitor numbers are limited to 8 at any time as space is limited plus they are probably trying to preserve the frescos by controlling humidity levels. You are only permitted to stsy for 10 mins. The grounds are pleasant with benches and plenty of birds( I saw a woodpecker). If you are making your own way there you can combine this visit with the National History museum nearby. We did this by taking trolley bus 2 from the centre to its final stop over the road from the museum. From here you can walk 30 mins up to the church or take bus 107 which goes to the church entrance.
4. St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,403 reviews
Completed in 1912, St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral Stauropigial Memorial-Church is an impressive landmark in Sofia. The church was built as a memorial to the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War (1877-1878).
Reviewed By loukiap550 - Nicosia, Cyprus
A Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia (Bg). Built in Neo-Byzantine style, it serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and it is one of the largest Christian church buildings, as well as one of Sofia's symbols and primary tourist attractions. There is a museum of Bulgarian icons inside the cathedral crypt, part of the National Art Gallery.
5. Catedral de Sveta-Nedelya
6. Saint Nikolas Russian Church (Tsurkva Sveta Nikolai)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,089 reviews
7. The Rotunda Church of St George
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,648 reviews
Built in the 4th century, this is the oldest building in Sofia.
Reviewed By MumbaiRiders - Mumbai, India
" St George Church(Rotunda Church)"is a red brick rotunda edifice . This Church is the oldest building in Bulgaria and also in Europe situated within the excavated ruins of the ancient Roman city of Serdika..The building is famous for the 12th-, 13th- and 14th-century frescoes inside the central dome. The Church is situated in close proximity to the Presidency building.
8. Saint Sofia Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 939 reviews
Reviewed By charlielG9293DR
This church has an amazing history and is built on an old Roman necropolis. It is well worth taking the time to watch the video of the history of the church in order to really appreciate it and to have a wander among the ancient tombs underneath.
9. Tsarska Bistritsa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By MinnieMad - Holmfirth, United Kingdom
This was the winter ski lodge of the Bulgarian Royal Family build over 100 years ago with a hydro electric plant to supply all its electricity. This is still working now and my partner loved it and found it really interesting. There is also some historical information in a gallery (all Cyrillic sadly) and a nice little cafe. You can walk through the grounds and sometimes go in the house although not when the royal family are in residence which they were when we went there. It was only 5 lev to go in. We really enjoyed it. Bizarrely the royal family were deposed in 1946 but seem to have kind of carried on in an unofficial capacity, or at least doing what they always did but without the state paying for it! Perhaps our royals could learn a thing or two from that!
10. Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
