Big Bulgarian Towns

 

Sofia

Sofia is the capital of the Republic of Bulgaria with a population of approx. 1 000 000. The city is the biggest political, economic and cultural center of Bulgaria. It is situated at 550 m. altitude in the western part of the country. Sofia has an important crossing situation on the Balkan peninsula. It has emerged during the Thracian period V²²²-V²² c. B.C. around a mineral spring. Different people have inhabited the city through the ages and left their trace. 250 archeological, historical and architectural monuments harmonize with a modern city. The most famous symbol of Sofia is the cathedral Alexander Nevski which is the most monumental building not only in Sofia but on the Balkan peninsula. It is built by the Bulgarian people in token of gratitude for the Russian troops that have liberated Bulgaria from the Turkish yoke. Exceptionally precious are the wall-paintings. The most precious collection of icons in Bulgaria is kept in the crypt.

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 Sofia is situated at the foot of Vitosha. There is only a 30 min. drive between it and one of the biggest ski centers in Bulgaria.

In 8 km from the city is the Boyana Church, an unique monument of the Middle Ages.

 

Plovdiv

Plovdiv is the second biggest town in Bulgaria with a population of 500 000. It is situated on both shores of river Maritsa in the Upper Thracian lowlands on 3 hills which are the "business card" of the town. There are many interesting things in the town but the most attractive place is the Old city with its houses and cauldron streets which are built in the beginning of the Õ²Õ c. by Bulgarian builders. Plovdiv's houses are one of the top achievements of Bulgarian renaissance architecture.

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 The town is famous with the annual Plvodiv Fair which dates back to 1892. A fair town is built which is a modern complex with various conditions for demonstrations.

 

Varna

Varna is the third biggest town with a population of approx. 300 000. It is situated in the north-east Bulgaria on the Black Sea coast. That's why it is also called the sea capital of Bulgaria. The town emerges in VI c. B.C. as an ancient Greece colony called Odessos. From VII c. it is called by its Slavonic name Varna. Towards the end of VIII c. is included in the boundaries of the First Bulgarian kingdom.

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 Varna is a major productive, trade, cultural and tourist center, Near the town are the sea resorts Zlatni Piasatsi (Golden Sands) and St. Konstantin i Elena which are traditionally visited by numerous foreign tourists. Varna is famous with the only of its kind on the Balkans dolphinarium. The town has a large park across the sea. The dolphinarium, an aquarium and an observatory are in it. International musical, film, ballet, theatrical festivals are held in the town every year.

 

Veliko Turnovo

Veliko Turnovo is in northern Bulgaria. The town is situated amphi-theatrically in the gorge of river Yantra. In the limits of the town are the historical hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora (Saint Wood). As the capital of the second Bulgarian kingdom the town has a great economic and cultural progress. During the Turkish yoke the town is taken by the intruders, plundered and burnt down and its population slaughtered or driven away.

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 There are many landscapes in the town which stand for its history: remains of fortress walls, palaces, the Patriarch church of Tsarevets and others. Near the town are the Preobrazhenski and Patriarch monasteries. Veliko Turnovo is a big tourist center.