Sights Sofia, Bulgaria

In the city park is built in the baroque National Theater Ivan Vazov. The building is decorated with reliefs of mythological subjects and statues of the goddess Nike - the temple of art really reminds ancient temples.

The rich history of the city could not leave the many reminders of him. Property by force and beauty of architectural and historical monuments. One of the oldest monuments of Bulgaria - Saint Sophia Cathedral - one of the main Christian churches. On behalf of the Bulgarian capital, the temple got its present name. During its long history the cathedral has repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. It was built back in Roman times, in VI-VII centuries. Formerly on the site of the cathedral were two churches that were destroyed during the invasion of the Huns and ready. The floors of the two small churches were covered with mosaics, partially preserved until now. Cathedral of St. Sophia - a unique architectural structure. The temple is a three-nave domed basilica, cruciform in plan, which is very unusual for such an early period. The building is crowned by a flat dome. The basement portion intended for burial. After all the vicissitudes of the history of the ancient interior decoration has survived. About Sophia's Cathedral is a monument to the Bulgarian educator XVIII century. Paissy Hilandarskomu.

The most famous temple of Sofia - Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The symbol of liberation from the Ottoman yoke. Erected in memory of Russian soldiers who died in the battles for the liberation of Bulgaria. Architect - AN Pomerantsev. Construction began in 1912 and lasted eight years. The Cathedral was erected in the most conspicuous place in the center of Sofia. The height of the temple - 50 m 52 cm, area - 2 600 sq.m. Built of granite and white stone and decorated with sculpture and decorative elements: cornices, friezes, columns, etc. Also in the decoration of the temple there are elements of Russian church architecture. Above the decoration of the cathedral worked artists such as In Vasnetsov, M. Myasoedov, A Kiselev, D. Kiplig, A. Mitov, S. Ivanov and others.

In addition to these two magnificent cathedrals, in the central area of Sofia, Alexander Nevski Square, located library building named Cyril and Methodius. This is the biggest in Bulgaria stacks has more than 1800 manuscripts and early printed books. Before the library is a monument to Cyril and Methodius. To the east of St. Sophia Cathedral is a small cozy park in the center of which stands the so-called Doctors' Monument, dedicated to Russian soldiers - doctors and other medical workers who died during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. Monument was created by architect AI Tomishko Italian Luigi Farabosko in 1882-1884.

Rich monuments and Alexander Battenberg Square. Here is the Church of St. Nicholas, or "Russian Church". The temple was erected in 1912-1914 gg. under the direction of the architect of the Transfiguration and is dedicated to Russian soldiers who fell during the Russian-Turkish war. Also, this area is a former royal palace. During the Turkish rule there was konak - administrative building, the residence of the Turkish ruler. Now here is the National Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum.

Church of St. George - the most significant extant monument of the ancient city of Sofia, which previously was known as "Serdica". During his polutoratysyacheletnyuyu history of this building was repeatedly reconstructed and altered its destiny. THE CHURCH OF ST. With the adoption of Christianity, it was converted into a baptistery (baptistery), and subsequently - in the regular church. At the beginning of the XVI century, the Turks had set up in her mosque. Today is a beautiful old church, which is famous for its magnificent frescoes.