Sofia

From the airport

Bus 84 picks up from Terminal 1 and Bus 284 from Terminal 2 every 10-15 minutes, and it takes 30 minutes to get to the city.

Bulgarian Union of Artists is a 2700-member strong non-profit organisation with exhibitions of fairly-priced Bulgarian crafts.

Bulgaria is one of the oldest states in the world, established in 681. France was established in 843, England in 927 and Germany in 962.

You will find stylish bohemian fashion creations at Atelie Mirela Bratova.

Fantastico is a chain of non-stop supermarkets, with shops in most of Sofia's neighbourhoods. They have everything needed for surviving day and night at reasonable prices.

The National Palace of Culture is the hugest, most strange looking and ugly building in the centre of Sofia. It has multiple concert halls, bazaars and restaurants and a big park.

Gallery Alley, just behind the opera house at Rakovski and Dondukov, is a stash of contemporary creation: sculptures, watercolours, mosaics, blown-glass and icons at about a dozen studios.

Day trip

Bozhourishte. This Bulgarian village accommodates all. Equestrians can visit the military horse base, breeding stables and race course. Art connoisseurs will adore Dimitar Kazakov's surviving frescoes. Cultural creatures will enjoy the Hristo Botev Chitalishte, an architectural heritage monument. Take the international E80 to the Kalotina border checkpoint.
Pancharevo Lake. Just outside Sofia, this artificial lake is a nice spot to relax, as long as you wrap up warm. If it is not too cold, hire rowing and paddle boats for a pleasant afternoon on the water.

Monastery of Rila

The monastery of Rila was built on the site of the home of the hermit Jean de Rila (Ivan Rilski) (870-946). His spiritual influence was considerable. The Monastery thus contributed to the nation's freedom. hile the Hreljo tower dates from the 14th century, the exceptional church of the nativity dates from the 19th century and is the work of artists of the best artists of the day. The remain of Jean de Rila were to travel to Hungary then to Veliko Tarnovo before being brought back to Rila in 1469.

general information

Republic

Capital: Sofia

Surface area: 111.000 km2

Population: 7,4 millions

Population density/km2: 67

Member of the EU since 2007

National day: 3rd March

National anthem: Mila Rodino

• The Bulgarians originate from a people that came from the East and established the First Bulgarian state in 7th century.

• In Bulgaria, a vertical movement of the head means no and a horizontal movement means yes.

• In 1943, the Bulgarians refused to deport the 50000 Jews living in Bulgaria into Hitler's hands.

• At the end of the winter, the Bulgarians hang up small colourful strands known as Martenica.

• At the beginning of the 10th century, Bulgaria was the largest kingdom in Europe.

• Bulgaria gained its independence in 1878 thanks to Russia.

• On the 6th of January (epiphany) the priests throw  cross into the river that the young people must go to fetch in the icy cold waters.

• Many churches were built underground because under the Ottoman Empire their height could not exceed that of a man on horseback.

• Two monks, Cyril and Methodius, were to invent what was to become Cyrillic script.

• The oldest golden object in the world dates from 4600-4200 BC.

• A traditional song from Bulgaria was placed in the Voyager probe.

This country offers sandy beaches, great wine and good parties along the famous Black Sea coast. Cities like the dynamic Sophie, the ancient Nesebar and the architectural Plovdiv are gorgeous as is the mountain village of Belogradchik and the beautifully restored Tyravna. This is truly a wild place with huge forests where bears and lynx roam.