Rila Monastery
Tanggal 22 April 2015.
Hari ini bangun awal lagi kerana kami akan bertolak ke Rila Monastery awal pagi. Perjalanan mengambi masa 3 jam ++. Georgiv akan pick-up saya jam 08:30am. Saya sempat breakfast, takut nanti lapar di jalanan. Memandangkan menu dinner semalam teramatlah ringan, maka perut perlu di alas kalau tidak mahu penyakit gastrik bertandang. Masalah saya, setiap kali makan pagi, perut pasti meragam. So apabila bangun pagi, saya makan biskut yang saya bawa dari Malaysia, minum air banyak-banyak ~ mudah nak ke tandas. Bayangkan jika dalam perjalanan sakit perut tapi takde tandas? hu hu hu ~ saya tak mahu bayangkan! Tepat jam 8:30am, saya sudah tercegat di luar hotel menunggu si George. Dia terlambat sedikit. Mungkin kerana traffic. Cuaca hari ini sejuk, meskipun saya memakai jaket. Sebelum keluar dari city center, George si minyak dan beli drinking water. Afterwards off we go. Pemandangan di outskirt Sofia tidak kurang cantiknya. Dengan bangunan-bangunan era komunism ~ macam flat empat segi jerr! Untuk hilangkan rasa bosan, George pasang musik - lagu Bulgarian. Musicnya seakan ada element music arabic sedikit. Along the way....   
Hmmmm... apparently the pictures are not in sequence. Sorry.
Car model from communist era
Perjalanan kami memang aman2 saja kerana kereta tak banyak. Dalam perjalanan ke Rila, kami singgah di sebuah perkampungan lama yang dinamakan Stob. Di sini, kita akan melihat rumah-rumah usang, tapi authentic Bulgarian.
Stob Village
Di sini, mereka masih menggunakan carriage sebagai alat pengangkutan.
Tidak seperti kuda?
Tergamam seketika melihat kuda putih ini. Ia langsung tidak bergerak. Seperti termenung panjang. Oya, sepanjang berada di sini, yang kelihatan hanya orang-orang tua. Tak seorang pun golongan muda, apatah lagi kanak-kanak kelihatan. Kaum hawanya, suka duduk-duduk di luar/ beranda rumah, berbual dengan jiran. Sebenarnya, pada pengamatan saya, kampung ini seperti an abandon place, jalan pun berlubang-lubang. ntah apalah sumber ekonomi mereka di sini.
Stob's folks
      
On The Way To Rila
Arrived at Rila Monastery. Entrance fees less than 10 Leva.
 
An I Was Here Picture Hi Hi
Inside
  
The paintings (frescos) outside the church. Camera not allowed inside
Zaman dulu kebanyakan buta huruf so gambar merupakan cara menyampaikan ajaran agama
Inside the church museum.
      
Country side ~ otw back to Sofia
 
Selling fresh home-made jam,wine etc
Lunch time.
Serving authentic Bulgarian food. No credit=card.
Delicious Chicken Soups
Tasty Grilled Trout
 
Dia putik ntah buah apa bagi I makan
Ini spot untuk lihat bandar Sofia
Selepas singgah sebentar di sini untuk amil gambar, perjalanan diteruskan balik ke Sofia CBD. Dalam perjalanan balik, singgah di salah satu lagi tapak sejarah Unesco yang dinamakan Boyana Church.
 
Nantilah ya I cerita sikit tentang Boyana ni. Time ni I dah pening-pening lalat.
Sampai di hotel (Sofia), I rehat sekejap. Malam nanti ada temujanji dengan kawan FB dari Bulgaria yang baru dikenali. Janji temu di Hilton Sofia for dinner. 
Tadaaaaa.... My beautiful Friend: Irka and her daughter, Inka
Us
Clever and adorable ~ I hope one day we can met again!
Inka
Lama kami berbual. Ladies talks. Kalau bukan kerana Inka perlu tidur dan saya juga perlu berehat, mungkin lagi lama kami stay. Tapi saya juga esok perlu awal bangun kerana akan berangkat ke Veliko Turnovo.
Gift from Irka. Hasil sulamannya sendiri.
Pemberian tanda persahabatn. Gift from dearest friend. Thank you so much Ira for this beautiful hand knitted gift. I will always pray for your well-being and happiness.
After muah muah and hugs, I ambil taxi balik hotel. Tidur. Jam 4am bangun dan pack barang.
Salam and hello. Entry kali ini saya nak sambung cerita tentang perjalanan saya ke negara Balkans seterusnya iaitu Bulgaria. Sebenarnya, rencana asal, itinerary perjalanan ini merangkumi Crotia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macadonia, Bulgaria dan Romania namun terpaksa di 'trim' kerana masa terhad. Berminggu-minggu juga saya mencongak, membajet dan menatap MAP negara Balkans ini untuk mendapatkan route perjalanan yang terbaik. Masa yang dapat diperuntukkan hanya 15 hari. Maka akhirnya, terpaksa korbankan Crotia, Bosnia dan Macedonia. Dalam hati, jika ada kesempatan teringin juga nanti menjejakkan kaki di Crotia.
Bulgaria borders five countries and the Black Sea to the East. The Danube River creates the longest border between Bulgaria and Romania. The other neighbours are Turkey, Greece, Serbia, and the Republic of Macedonia. Setelah diputuskan destinasi, saya mula blogwalking dan berteman dengan Mr. Google dan Ms. Yahoo untuk mencari maklumat dan tempat yang patut saya lawati. Tak mungkin dapat saya cover semua attraction yang ada. Yang paling penting, saya ingin melihat, bukan saja tinggalan sejarah malahan cara hidup negara yang saya lawati. Saya baca forum terutama tripadvisor. Macam-macam maklumat yang dapat dikutip. Pengalaman travellers yang mereka share memang banyak membantu. Hmm... masa saya di Bulgaria hanya 4 hari 3 malam. Mustahil dapat saya terokai bumi ini dalam masa singkat begitu. Antara destinasi pilihan: 1. Sofia ~ The largest and Capital City of Bulgaria 2. Veliko Turnovo (3 hours drive from Sofia) 3. Ruse ~ Consider as the most beautiful city in Bulgaria (after re-construction) 4. Plodiv ~ cancel 5. Nessebar ~ cancel 6. Rila Monastery ~ Fulfilled Masalah bagi independent traveler di Bulgaria ni mostly adalah bahasa. Kebanyakan local tidak berbahasa inggeris. Begitu juga dengan sign board yang semuanya ditulis dalam bahasa local (Slavic). Kes-kes penipuan dan pick-pocket juga banyak berlaku terutama jika anda pelancong yang kelihatan 'naive'. Begitu juga dengan sindiket penipuan taxi. Ini bukan saya kata tapi komen2 di forum malahan dari rakan local saya juga. Fikir punya fikir, akhirnya saya ambil keputusan guna khidmat kenalan saya di Sofia. Dia ini seorang traveller juga dan merupakan local guide yang berlesen. 
Georgi Georgiev @ George
http://bgtourguide.com/
Jika sesiapa berminat untuk mengunakan khidmat Georgi, anda boleh lawati website beliau seperti yang tertera. I can verified that, he is (was to me) indeed a very nice, humble, helpful, considerate, broad-minded, full of humour, knowledgable and perform his duty as your trusted guide wonderfully.
He speak english fluently (London Educated) and knows a lots about Bulgarian History and politics. We clicked right away. We talks about politic, religion, Foods, economy etc etc.
Setelah berbincang dengan Georgi, akhirnya itinerary saya jadi begini.
Day 1 (21/4/15 - Tuesday) 04:30 Airport Pick -Up and transfer to hotel 05:00 Meet for walking tour of Sofia (2.5hrs) 07:30 Dinner Day 2 (22/4/15 Wednesday) 08:30 leave hotel for Rila monastery (if the weather’s good we could take a short hike to the Stob pyramids on the way) Also a good part of the country for Bulgarian wine - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stob_%28village%29 12:00 – lunch by the river in Blagoevgrad or in an authentic village on the way to Sofia with excellent Bulgarian cuisine. 16:00 – Boyana church near Sofia - a UNESCO site -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyana_Church Rest and dinner ~ Meet my friend at Hilton Hotel Day 3 (23/4/15 Thursday) 9:00 – leave for Turnovo (3 hour drive) Tour views Lovech, Arbanasi , and Veliko Turnovo .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovech /http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbanasi,_Bulgaria /http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veliko_Tarnovo End tour either with sleep either in Turnovo or in Ruse (By the Danube River and on the border with Romania). We could take a small tour of Ruse with dinner there. Day 4 (24/4/15 Friday) Transfer from Ruse to Bucharest (1.5hrs)
Day 1. Saya menaiki pesawat Aegean Air dari Athens ke Sofia untuk menjimatkan masa dan juga kerana saya tak seberapa berani naik train malam dan malas juga naik bas. Penerbangan mengambil masa 1 jam 25 minit. Untuk one way tix saya dapat $138.21 sebelum beli bagasi.
Selepas urusan imigrasi dan collect bag, saya singgah money changer untuk tukarkan Euro ke Lev. Untuk info, nilai Lev telah ditambat (peg) dengan Euro dengan kadar 1:1.98. (Currency for Bulgaria is called lev. You should plan to do most of your spending in Bulgaria with cash, as credit cards are only accepted at more premier establishments or for car rentals--and to withdraw money from ATMs. Travellers' checks may not be accepted at many places either, though you may have better luck with them in Sofia) Setelah selesai saya keluar dan meliarkan mata mencari Georgi. Memandangkan kami hanya kenal melalui gambar di facebook, saya risau juga kalau saya tak cam dia, atau dia tak cam saya. Tapi kami saling boleh mengenali. Maksudnya, rupa alam maya (virtual) memang seiras rupa dunia sebenar. Hi Hi poyoooo. Listen to this music interlude.
Touring Sofia
Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and its largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, today the city continues to develop as the country’s cultural and economic center. At present, the city has a population of 1,250,000. Sofia is located in the western part of the country, on The Sofia Plain and on the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha. The city’s average altitude is 550 meters above sea level, the climate is moderate and continental, characterized by cold winters and relatively cool summers. The average temperature in January is 1 degree below zero Centigrade, and the average July temperature is 20 degrees Centigrade. The city is located at a strategic crossroads. The route from Western Europe to Istanbul passes through Sofia via Beograd and Skopje, then through Plovdiv to Turkey. Sofia also connects The Near East and The Middle East, lying between the banks of The Danube and the shores of The White Sea on the one hand, and between The Black Sea and The Adriatic on the other. Sofia is relatively close to the capitals of most Balkan countries: Ankara is 1,012 km; Athens is 837 km; Beograd is 374 km; Bucharest is 395 km; Zagreb is 762 km; Ljubljana is 897 km; Sarajevo is 549 km; Skopje is 239 km; Tirana is 553 km. Three freeways begin in Sofia: Trakia, Lyulin, and Hemus. The Sofia Airport provides travelers with convenient connections to all major European cities, and from the central train station and bus station passengers can reach every destination in the country. Sofia has been settled for many millennia. In honor of its hot springs, in the 8th century BCE the Thracian tribes settled here gave the city its first name – Serdika or Serdonpolis.In the 1st century BCE, Serdika was captured by the Romans, who transformed it into a Roman city. During the reign of Emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajan (reign 98-117 CE), the city took his name, Ulpia Serdika, and became the administrative center of the region. Serdika was the favorite city of Constantine the Great (reign 306-337), who said “Serdika is my Rome.” In roughly 175, massive fortified walls, with four watchtowers were built to protect the city , and a second outer fortified wall was added during the 5th-6th centuries. The city’s flourished for a second time under Justinian the Great (reign 527-565). At the beginning of the 9th century, the Bulgarian Han Krum (reign 803-814) invaded Serdika. The city became an inseparable part of The First Bulgarian Empire (7th-9th centuries) under Han Omurtag (reign 814-831). At this time the city was renamed Sredets (The Center), because of its central strategic location. From 1018-1094, Sredets was under Byzantine rule, but still remained an important strategic, economic, and cultural center. During the time of The Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1393), Sredets took on the appearance of a large Medieval city – its narrow, crowded streets witnessed the construction of more and more small churches and monasteries, which later became Sofia’s Holy Mountain. The city gained its present name at the end of the 14th century, in honor of the city’s major symbol, The Saint Sofia Basilica. In 1382, the city fell to the Ottomans. It was liberated five centuries later, in 1878, and on April 3, 1879 it was declared the capital of the newly-liberated Bulgarian nation. Sofia preserves many valuable monuments to its long and storied past. Visitors exploring the city’s streets can see remnants of The Eastern Gate from the days when Sofia was Serdika and Sredets, dating from the 2nd-4th centuries CE. These remains are exhibited in the underpass connecting the Presidential Palace and The Ministerial Council, surrounded by shops selling traditional Bulgarian souvenirs and rosewater. The Saint Sofia Basilica, founded during the reign of Justinian (reign 527-565), is one of the oldest churches in the capital. It was the city’s major church during the Middle Ages, and under the Ottomans it was used as a mosque. Very close to Saint Sofia is The Memorial Church Saint Alexander Nevsky, now one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. This church was built in 1912, and was designed by the Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev. Its bell tower rises to a height of 53 meters, and houses 53 bells, the heaviest weighing 10 tons. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Sofia, the church can hold roughly 5,000 people, and on important Christian holidays it is filled with believers. In the church’s crypt, there is an exhibit of Orthodox Christian art. Directly across from the church is The National Gallery of Art, which often exhibits works by world-famous artists. The oldest church in Sofia is the Saint George Rotunda. It is thought that the church was built in the 6th century, during the reign of Constantine the Great. In the rotunda’s immediate proximity, in the underpass leading to the Serdika metro station, is The Saint. Petka Samardzhiyska Church, built in the 11th century. Another Christian monument in the region is the Saint Joseph Catholic Cathedral. While walking in the area, visitors will also see the Banya Bashi Mosque, built in the 16th century. Not far from the mosque is a synagogue, which houses a museum. There is hardly another city in all of Europe that has so many noteworthy Christian, Islamic, and Jewish monuments so close together. In the immediate vicinity, other historical remains are preserved, such as the municipal baths, the marketplace, and The Holy Sunday Church. Adjacent to this church is the Theological Seminary, which houses The National Historical and Archeological Museum. Other points of interest in the city include The Lion Bridge, The Eagle Bridge, The Russian Monument, and the monument to Vasil Levski (a Bulgarian revolutionary hero who gave has life in the struggle to free Bulgaria from the Ottomans in the 19th century). In the midst of the city’s religious landmarks, directly across from The Presidential Palace, is The National Archeological Museum, which has in its collection some of the most valuable treasures discovered in Bulgaria. Masterpieces of Bulgarian painting are on display at The National Art Gallery, located in what was formerly the Bulgarian Royal Palace. The National Museum of Ethnography is also located here, and The Museum of Natural History is a very short distance away, with exhibits of plants and animals that are very valuable, and even some that can no longer be seen in the wild. Right in front of this museum if The Saint Nikolai Church, which is an architectural landmark. The Parliament Building, Monument to the Liberator (in honor of the Russian Tsar Alexander II, who was instrumental in freeing Bulgaria from Ottoman rule), and the campus of Sofia University “Saint Kliment Ohradski” are three more of the city’s major symbols. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful buildings in Sofia is The Ivan Vazov National Theater. On the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha, in the Boyana District, is located The National Museum of History, with its collection from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum has one of the largest collections anywhere, with over 700,000 items of cultural importance. Close to the museum is The Boyana Church, one of the Bulgarian monuments that is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are many more capitals in the city, such as The Polytechnical Museum, The Museum of Anthropology, and The Sports Museum. Since it is the nation’s capital, Sofia constantly plays host to important cultural and musical events, conferences, and sports competitions. The National Palace of Culture, the city’s football stadiums, and the city’s large halls are venues for concerts and performances by famous individuals and groups. During the months of May and June, The Palace of Culture will welcome performers participating in the festival “Sofia Music Weeks.” The capital’s many theaters and galleries offer a wide range of interesting exhibits and shows. The city is a preferred destination for international congresses, and there are a great many halls and centers offering possibilites for every need. For example, one of the city’s most popular venues for business forums and trade fairs is The National Palace of Culture. Sofia is also home to Bulgaria’s most prestigious and larges educational institutions – universities, colleges, and middle schools that offer solidly-grounded, up-to-date instruction in such disciplines as Architecture, Medicine, The Humanities, Engineering, Music and Choreography, and Fine Arts. Near Sofia, in the Vitosha, Lozen, and Stara Planina (Central Balkan) Mountains, over the centuries so many monasteries have been founded that they came to be known as Sofia’s Holy Mountains. They can be considered as a single complex, and played an important role in preserving the Bulgarian spiritual heritage during the centuries of Ottoman occupation. Still standing are The Dragalevski, Lozen, Germanski, Kremikovski, Cherepishki, and Osenovlashki Monasteries, among others. Opportunities for sport and recreation in the capital are many and varied – outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, modern gymnasiums and sports halls, and parks. The city’s stadiums draw thousands of fans for matches between major football teams. Sofia’s parks are a favorite place for rest and recreation. Borisov Park is right in the center of the city, and South Park is next to the National Palace of Culture. There are two golf courses within an hour’s drive of the city, in the city of Ihtiman and the village of Ravno Polye, both offering excellent facilities to play and practice this sport that is becoming more and more popular in Bulgaria. During the winter, the ski resort on Mount Vitosha is a favorite with skiers and snowboarders alike, and during the summer it is a favorite place for hikers and picnickers. Mount Vitosha borders on The Vitosha Natural Park, which is the oldest nature reserve on the Balkan Peninsula. The species of flora in the park are particularly rich and varied. Ten of the peaks in the Vitosha Range are over 2,000 meters; the highest is Cherni Vrah (Black Peak), in the center of the park, at 2,290 meters. Since Mount Vitosha is a preferred destination for the capital’s residents, its fields and paths are alive with nature lovers. For more information about the park, please contact the Vitosha Nature Preservation Information Center, located roughly 1 km from the Dragolevtsi Quarter, close to the Dragolevtsi Monastery. There are two ski centers on Mount Vitosha to accommodate visitors to this very popular sports destination. They are Aleko and Konyarnika. Aleko is at an altitude of 1,800 meters, and its slopes face north. It also has facilities for night skiing. The Konyarnika Center is 1,507 meters high. There are a total of 29 km of ski runs on Vitosha, and the longest is 5 km. The maximum vertical dro is 780 meters. The slopes are suitable for both experienced skiers beginners. The Sofia Zoological Garden in the southern part of the city is the country’s larges zoo. It is a favorite place for a day’s outing for young and old alike. Sofia offers many places for its children to play. The parks are equipped with safe, modern, playground equipment, and there are both children’s playgrounds and indoor recreational facilities for children. Like every big city, Sofia has something for every taste. There are a great many luxury hotels, including those that are part of international hotel chains. There is also a wide variety of hostels and smaller family guesthouses. There are a multitude of discotheques, restaurants, bars, piano bars, folk clubs, taverns, soda fountains, fast food outlets and many other kinds of entertainment. Sofia and the immediate vicinity also boast a great many spa complexes. The hot springs at Bankya, a nearby resort offer wonderful facilities for rest, recreation, and wellness. There are ten spa centers within the capital’s city limits offering peace and relaxation, along with therapeutic and beauty treatments. One of Sofia’s favorite spots for both visitors and residents is Vitosha Boulevard. Here thee are shops carrying world-famous brands, and since it s a pedestrian zone, it a very pleasant place for strolling and relaxation. In general, the capital is a shoppers delight, since Sofia is still one of the major crossroads on the Balkan Peninsula for trade of all kinds The city’s annual celebration is observed on September 17, in honor of the martyrdom of Saint Sofia and her three daughters Vyara (Faith), Nadezhda (Hope), and Lyubov (Love).
Follow my lazy stroll around the city.
Kodi Seyfullah Efendi Camii (Banya Bashi Mosque)
Kodi Seyfullah Efendi Camii (Banya Bashi Mosque)
Once there were 70 mosques in Sofia, but today this is the only still functioning. It was designed in 1576 by Mimar Sinan, who also built the Sultan Selim Mosque in Edirne and Istanbul's infamous Blue Mosque. The mosque's finest feature is the domed ceiling, restored to its original design after the fall of Communism. Loudspeakers call the city's Muslim minority to prayer five times a day - on Friday there can be as many as 400 worshippers in attendance. The mosque is not officially open as a tourist attraction but visitors are welcome outside prayer times, including women - just be sure to dress respectfully. The inside is decorated with fine blue tiles and calligraphy, citing texts from the Koran, as the portrayal of human figures is banned in Islamic art. The mosque is also known as Banya Bashi, which means ‘many baths', and outside are the small remains of the original hammam (Turkish baths), unearthed in 2003-2004. Opening Times: Daily 0500-2000 (excluding prayer time). Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes Unesco: No Address: 2 Knyaginya, Maria Luiza Bulvard, Sofia, Bulgaria 
Banya Bashi Mosque, located in the centre of Sofia
Banya Bashi Mosque lies in the centre of the capital city and is the only operating mosque on its territory. It was built in the 16th century by Mimar Sinan, the most eminent architect in the history of the Ottoman Empire, and it can accommodate up to 1200 people on big Muslim holidays. The mosque lies in close proximity to the marble building of the Central Mineral Baths, the Synagogue and the Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph. This area also called The Harmony Square because of the close-proximity of the mosque, church and synagogue.
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Church is located in the very heart of Sofia and has become one of the country’s most precious symbols. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century in honour of the soldiers who lost their lives during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) which led to the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. But the ties of the church with Russian culture don’t stop here. Both the main architect and the patron of this religious temple were Russians. Designer Alexander Pomerantsev was responsible for the implementation of some of the most ambitious architectural projects in pre-Communist Russia, while St. Alexander Nevsky, the person who the church was named after, was a famous Moscow Prince who lived in the 13th century. Many epithets can be used to describe this building but imposing seems to be the most appropriate one. Indeed, every single aspect of St. Alexander Nevsky Church is enveloped in grandeur. The domes are gold-plated and the facades are clad in Bulgarian stone. The interior is decorated with the finest marble, onyx and alabaster in the world. The murals and the mosaic decorations inside the building were made by renowned Bulgarian and Russian artists. Oh, and its size... It occupies an area of approximately 3100 square metres, its 12-bell church tower rises 53 metres above the ground, and it can take up to 10 000 people inside. One of the most impressive collections of Orthodox art is displayed in the church crypt. It comprises more than 200 icons, frescoes and church plates.
The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (the Russian Church)
Saint Nikolas Russian Church
It is located just a couple of hundred metres away from Alexander Nevsky Church in Sofia and is one of the most beautiful religious temples in Bulgaria. It was constructed in the period between 1912 and 1914 and carries all the characteristic traits of the typical marquee-shaped Russian churches. In the past it was an important spiritual centre and shelter for the thousands of Russian immigrants who lived in Bulgaria. Today it is one of the most visited attractions in the capital city and the main reason for this is the grave of archbishop Seraphim Sobolev-Wonderworker, hidden in its crypt, which is believed to have miraculous healing powers. The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Directions: The Russian Church of St. Nicolas can be found at the crossing of the streets bul. Tsar Osvoboditel and bul. Georgi S. Rakovski, right in the busy city centre of Sofia. Address: Russian Church of St. Nicolas, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 3, Sofia 
The Ivan Vazov National Theater
The National Theater, named after the Bulgarian writer, Ivan Vazov. It is located in Vasil Levski street, near the Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky and Hagia Sofia Church. There is a nice park with fountains, that encircles this beautiful edifice. Looks great, with its neoclassical facade. We did not entered at that time, but ones say, that inside is real traditional setting of one cultural institution from the last century. It is an oldest and most authoritative theatre in the country.
Sofia public Mineral Baths
..tbc
Sofia area was famous for its mineral springs so it’s no surprise they had public baths since 16th century.
Sofia public Mineral Baths (Sofiyska gradska mineralna banya ) was built in 1908 on the same spot where the former Turkish baths were. Although the main style is Vienna Secession the architects used a lot of byzantine religious elements for decoration, the three domes and the art nouveau tiles gives makes it looks nice. The baths opened to the public in 1913 and operated non stop (although it was bombed during WWII) until 1986 when they realised that the roof was ready to collapse. 
Statue of St. Sofia (Statuya na Sveta Sofia)
The 21 m high Statue of St. Sofia (Statuya na Sveta Sofia) was erected in 2000 on a site which was once occupied by a Lenin statue. It was designed by the Bulgarian sculptor George Chapkanov.
The statue actually doesn't refer to the holy Saint Sofia, but to the holy wisdom, which is symbolised by the owl in the left hand of the young woman. Directions: The Statue of St. Sofia stands at the busy square pl. Nezavisimost, just at the crossing of the streets bul. Knyaginya Maria Luiza and bul. Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov. It can be found in the close vicinity of the Sheraton Hotel and the Tsum Shopping Mall. Address: Statue of St. Sofia, pl. Nezavisimost, Sofia. Sveta Nedelya Church
Church of Sveta Nedelya
Sveta Nedelya is an eastern orthodox cathedral. Nedelya means Sunday , so the name must be from Saint Sunday, a christian martyr of the 3rd Century, but some others claim that it has to do with the greek word kiriaki (Sunday in greek), the day of the lord, maybe that’s why the church was called Sveti Kral, Holy King in the late 19th century)
It’s was built in 19th century (between 1856-1863) by the Bulgarian architectural team Vasilyov-Tsolov in neo-byzantine style replacing smaller churches that were standing here since the medieval era probably the first one during the 10th century. In 1925 communist rebels tried to kill Tsar Boris III by placing a bomb during a funeral, the Tsar was lucky and survived but more than 120 other people died and several others injured. The church was seriously damaged but the restoration brought it back to life, the gilt iconostasis survived from attack and just returned to the church after the restoration. We visited on a cold Friday morning, we didn’t expect to see people inside but there were locals lighting a candle or just praying (it was the mass time) which was a big difference with the popular Alexander Nevski cathedral where we saw only tourists inside. There are some nice murals but due to the locals I couldn’t take pictures (it wasn’t allowed anyway). The church is famous for the women choir but we weren’t lucky enough to hear them. The church is very popular for weddings. It also houses the bones of Stefan Milutin (14th century Serbian king that fought against the ottomans but also famous because he built many monasteries) that supposed to have healing power. It’s open daily 7.00-18.00 with a small store inside selling icons.  St. George Rotunda 
Set among th excavations of Roman ruins in the courtyard of the Sheraton and the Presidency is the oldest preserved building. It dates back to the 4th centtury, although it did not become a church until the 6th century.
It is open to the public. Although quite small, three layers of frescoes can still be seen. Be wary that a 'No camera' image is posted outside the door, fine of 10 leva will be imposed. Archaeology Museum
Former Mosque Now Museum
The building dates back to 1494, it was originally the Grand Mosque. It was converted into the present museum in 1894. The interior space beneath nine domes contains an open-plan display of Greek, Roman and medieval objects. In the side rooms there are exhibits from Bulgaria's prehistoric, Thracian and medieval periods.
 Vitosha Boulevard
Vitosha Boulevard
It is a Pedestrian area. One end has the cathedral, the other end is a beautiful view of Mount Vitosha. Much of the street is under construction at the moment, but there are large areas where you can still enjoy your time and you can still walk the full length of the road. The shops don't have too much interest for me, but there are stores lining the entire boulevard.
..tbc Hi again. Selepas aktiviti city walks tour selesai, masa untuk dinner. I told Georgiv to take me to an authentic Bulgarian restaurant, so that I can tried the locals food. I forgot the name of the restaurant, but it was fancy and cosy, almost full-house when we entered. Luckily we managed to get a table for two. 
Eats Georgiev Hi Hi Hi
The salads was fresh, tasty
Cosy Ambience
Selesai dinner, Georgiv walks me to my hotel. Kami menaiki LRT/Tram kerana saya sudah penat untuk menggunakan 2 kerat kaki ini untuk berjalan. Sebelum berpisah, saya bayar full charges pakej tour service ini : car + driver + guide.
Good nite.... see you again in my next day entry ~ my day trip to Rila Monastery from Sofia. |
Sunday, 6 September 2015
Bulgaria May 2015
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