Zet Travel > One Day Tours from Sofia > One day tour in Sofia
Full Day Sightseeing Tour in Sofia (Walk and Drive)
Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, was founded more than 7 000 years ago, and has long been an important crossroads between Asia Minor and Europe. Sofia's monuments attest to the many cultures and civilizations that flourished here.
Our driver and guide will pick you from your hotel.
Morning: Sightseeing tour in downtown Sofia: We'll start the day with visits - The ancient Serdica Fortifications dating from the 3rd-5th century. The 4th century St. George's Rotunda famous for its unique frescoes and original architecture. Its majestic figures illustrate the development of Christian Painting over several centuries, making Rotunda one of the gems of Bulgarian and East European culture. The magnificent Alexander Nevski Memorial Church is a masterpiece of late 19th - early 20th century architecture, splendidly decorated. It was designed by the Russian architect Pomerantzev in 1912. This is the biggest Orthodox Church on the Balkans built in post-Byzantium style.
The beautiful Banya Bashi Mosque built in 1566 by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The mosque takes its name from the neighboring Central baths (in the Turkish language, "banya bashi" means "a lot of baths"). St. Sophia basilica, 6th century, is one of the most valuable pieces of early Christian architecture in the Balkans. Battenberg Square with its emblematic landmarks: The former Royal Palace, nowadays housing the impressive collection of the National Art Gallery and the Ethnographical Museum; the Presidency building, and building of the Bulgarian National Bank. The National Theater designed by the architectural firm of Helmer & Felmer from Vienna. The style of the building is a mixture of the neo-Baroque and Secession style. The neo-Renaissance building of the Bulgarian Parliament /1884-1886/ designed by architect Konstantin Yovanovic
The Central Military Club, built in the same neo-Renaissance style. The Sofia University, spectacular designed by the French architect Breansson.
Afternoon: The tour continues to the National History Museum and to the Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both sites are located at the footsteps of Vitosha Mountain. In the National Museum of History one can see the magnificent Thracian golden treasures, as well as artefacts from the oldest in the world discovered so far golden objects, processed by Europe's most ancient civilization (4600-4200 BC). The 13th century Boyana Church is a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. The murals of this famous site reflect both Byzantine and local traditions of the preceding two centuries. The portrait of Dessislava is a genuine masterpiece of 13th century painting, created 200 years before the European renaissance, mark a remarkable peak of Christian Art.
Highlights of the tour include:
ST. SOFIA CHURCH. The 4th-6th century basilica was built during the reign of Justinian. It has survived intact with 1600- year-old mosaic details and towards the end of the C14 gave the city its name. Beside the wall of the church is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Nearby is the grave of the national poet and writer Ivan Vazov, marked by an engraved boulder.
ALEXANDER NEVSKI MEMORIAL CHURCH. Completed in 1912 in honour of the Russian casualties of the 1877-78 War of Liberation from Ottoman Rule. Gold-domed, it is the finest piece of architecture in the Balkans. Craftsmen and artists from 6 countries worked on the five-aisle church in the course of 30 years and created real masterpieces of icons, frescoes, murals and huge chandeliers. The interior decoration, made of Italian marble. Egyptian alabaster, Brazilian onyx, gold, mosaics embodies the spirit of the finest Eastern Orthodox traditions. A superb collection of icons - the best in Bulgaria - can also be seen in the Crypt (closed on Mondays).
ROTUNDA OF ST. GEORGE. A C4 brick building in the courtyard behind the Sheraton Hotel, adorned with finely preserved early medieval frescoes. There are also remains of a C2 street and other Byzantine ruins.
THE NATIONAL PALACE OF CULTURE (NDK). The biggest Congress Centre in the Balkans. It is located in the centre of the city and faces the Vitosha Mountain.
THE CHURCH OF ST. NEDELYA. (Opposite the Sheraton Hotel). Built in medieval times and known as the Church of the Blessed Sveti Kral. The current building was reconstructed after 1925 when it was almost completely destroyed by a bomb explosion.
VASSIL LEVSKI MONUMENT. Vassil Levski was the principal architect of the campaign to free Bulgaria from the oppression of the Ottoman Empire. The monument marks the spot where he was hanged by the Turks in 1873.
SOFIA UNIVERSITY. This is the country's most prestigious university. It was built a decade after Sofia became Bulgaria's capital in 1879 with funds bequeathed by the brothers Evlogi and Christo Georgiev, whose statues are set in front of the main gates.
BOYANA CHURCH. A suburb at the foot of Mount Vitosha, notable for the Boyana Church, built in the C11. Frescoes are claimed to be among the oldest and most interesting examples of East European Medieval art. The Boyana Church has been listed by UNESCO as a part of the world s cultural heritage, just like The Rila Monastery.
NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM The collection here is jaw-dropping - an eclectic mix of Thracian gold treasures, bas-reliefs, ceramics, silverware, carpets and more - The National History Museum was assembled in 1981 to celebrate 1,300 years of the Bulgarian State and a better commemoration there could not be. Exhibits are artfully displayed, often individually so they can be fully appreciated. The artefacts are testimony to the achievements of the medieval kingdoms, and there is an elaborate collection of material from the National Revival period, including folk costumes, household utensils and carpets. The museum covers the whole period from prehistory to the current times, with relics from the earliest period up to the middle Ages. Highlights include the Panagyurishte treasure of silver and gold, archaeological exhibits, the religious art of the nineteenth century Bulgarian National Revival, including carpets, folk costumes and rooms furnished in the trends of bygone eras.
Lunch at one of the local restaurants close to Boiana Church.
The Private tour includes: guide, transport, entrance fees, and 3-course lunch
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