Sofia’s Golden Streets: A Tour of the Historical Capital’s Highlights

Sofia has been a crossroad in the Balkan peninsula for centuries, and a melting pot for ancient people and cultures. On this walking tour, I’ll tell you about the Bulgarian capital’s rich heritage, and why it’s unique within Europe. The tour starts at the St. Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, a memorial cathedral dedicated to the approximately 200,000 soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War. From there, I’ll take you down Sofia’s historical boulevards and famous yellow-brick streets, while sharing insights about the Bulgarian capital’s emblematic architecture. At the Palace National Art Gallery, I’ll tell you the story of how the missing Mausoleum of Georgi Dimitrov is linked to the fall of communism in Bulgaria. You’ll pass the National Assembly of Bulgaria, the former headquarters of the Communist Party, before the tour ends at the Largo Complex. There, I’ll show you a stunning view of the Monument of Saint Sofia, the patron of the city, and tell you how different religions coexist harmoniously in Bulgaria’s capital. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to: • Travel through time and learn about the ruins of the Roman town of Serdika in the Cultural Complex • Delve into Bulgaria’s history, from its place in the Roman Empire to the Ottoman Empire and modern times • Make a wish in the Church of St Nicholas the Miraclemaker’s crypt, one of the oldest temples in the city • Listen to some of the city’s legends and stories including how Prince Ferdinand I, an avid ornithologist, donated his personal collection of birds, mammals, and butterflies to the National Museum of Natural History when it opened in 1889 • Follow my recommendations for exploring more of the city’s highlights after the tour, including the trendy Vitosha Boulevard and the Crystal Garden, a park beloved by locals for a drink on a summer’s evening Whether you’re a return visitor or just getting to know Sofia, this 60-minute tour is a great introduction to Bulgaria’s culturally rich capital.

Price: £9.99 from VoiceMap