BIG CITIES

Sofia
Plovdiv
Varna
Burgas
Pleven
Veliko Tarnovo
Gabrovo
Lovech

SOFIA

Sofia is the political and administrative capital of Bulgaria, and is situated close by the mountain Vitosha. Sofia is really a city that “is getting older, but does not age.” This is one of the most ancient cities of the Balkan Peninsula, which preserves a cultural atmosphere created through the centuries, a city that has inherited the best of the cultures of the people who marked its existence. The remains from Thracians, Romans, Slavs, Proto-Bulgarians, Byzantines, and Turkish are mixed and create an intense historical and cultural atmosphere. The monument symbolizing the city is the cathedral Alexander Nevsky and is the biggest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans. Sofia has a lot of places of interest as the Saint Sofia Basilica, the Tsar Liberator monument, the Russian church “Saint Nicholas”, the “Santo Domingo” church, the Royal Palace, the archaeological complex “Saint George”, the Complex of Power, the “Triangle of Religious Tolerance”, the Palace of Culture, etc. Another valuable historic sample is the Boyana Church, located at 8 km from Sofia, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Plovdiv

Founded by Philip from Macedonia and named it Philipopolis. Later, it became the Roman Trimontzium, The Slav Pulpoleva, The Turkish Felibe and, finally, the Bulgarian Plovdiv. Plodviv is known as “Town of the Hills,” because of its three hills located in its centre. The old town of Plovdiv is a romantic place that creates a singular atmosphere. The narrow paved streets reveal some houses from the purest “Balkan baroque” style, and also from the peculiar Bulgarian renaissance houses which harbour a lot of museums and precious churches. The Romans left a lot of remains in the city. The most outstanding are the Roman forum, the Roman amphitheatre from the II century and the Roman theatre.

Varna

Commonly called “the marine capital of Bulgaria” or “the pearl of the Black Sea Riviera”, Varna is the third biggest Bulgarian city and one of the most important ports of the country in the Black Sea. Definitely, this is the summer holiday capital of Bulgaria, because its beaches with impressive tourist resorts attract a lot of tourists and travellers who search where to take a break and relax. In addition, Varna also has beautiful gardens and historical monuments from diverse periods.

Burgas

Burgas is another big coastal city. Its size is smaller and with less population than Varna, but it also has a lot to offer to its visitors. The city has a beautiful beach, commercial centres and one historical monument.

Pleven

The town of Pleven is located in the Danube plain at 180 km from Sofia and is one of the biggest industrial, administrative, political and cultural centres in the northern part of Bulgaria. This is a historical town related to one of the most important battles during the Independence War, which brought the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish domination. Places of interest: The Panorama, dedicated to this historical event, the church “Saint Nicholas”, the Museum of Liberation, the Mausoleum, the History Museum, etc. At 2 km from the city is the park Kailuka, where the Roman town was located. It is a favourite place for entertainment and relaxation.

Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. It is a historical and artistic town, situated very close to the Balkan mountain chain and spread over three hills. The medieval Bulgarian capital is the most majestic of the town-museums. The medieval ruins are located in the two hills of Tzarevetz and Trapezitsa. In the hill of Tzarevetz is the fortification, which is the symbol of the town. There also stands out the Balduin tower, the Palace and the Church of the Patriarch, and also the Royal Palace. In the Trapezitza hill are the churches “Saint Dimitar” and “40 Saint martyrs.” In summer and in special events, at nightfall in the citadel of Tzarevetz is held an incredible show of lights and sounds where the dramatic story of Tarnovo is recreated.

Gabrovo

If you receive a postcard with “Best wishes for the new 2004 to 2040”, you must know it was sent by a friend from Gabrovo. There is no other Bulgarian town about which its people relate to so many anecdotes as are told about the people from Gabrovo. But this town turned these jokes about people’s stinginess into a lucrative business, because fame brings money. Gabrovo is situated in the northern region of the central Balkans. There are many monuments, but the most famous one is which gives the slogan of the town: “The world survived because it laughed”, and this is the House of Humour and Satire. Other not less interesting monuments are the church “Assumption of the Virgin”, the Baev bridge, the Clock tower, etc.

Lovech

Lovech is located in a colourful path along the two banks of the Osam River, precisely at the hills of the Balkans. Lovech was one of the most important fortifications in the north Balkans. Today this town is attractive to visitors for its historical side, the Baroque area, the Renaissance area and the only covered bridge in the Balkan Peninsula, built by the master Kolio Ficheto.