Ancient Serdica

Ancient Serdica

In most cities, history sits behind glass, preserved, labelled and carefully separated from modern life. In Sofia, it lies beneath your feet.

Step into the Ancient Serdica Archaeological Complex and you are not simply observing the past, you are walking through it.… Read the rest

Central Mineral Baths

Central Mineral Baths

There are cities shaped by rivers, others by trade routes or conquest. Sofia, however, owes its very existence to something far more elemental – water.

Long before empires rose and fell across the Balkans, before churches and mosques defined skylines, and before the name “Sofia” was ever spoken, people came to this place for its mineral springs.… Read the rest

Monument of Saint Sofia

Monument of Saint Sofia

In a city layered with Roman ruins, Ottoman relics, and Orthodox churches, it might seem surprising that one of Sofia’s most symbolic landmarks is relatively new. The Monument of Saint Sofia, installed in 2000, does not date back centuries, yet it tells a story just as profound as any ancient structure.… Read the rest

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Few buildings in Sofia command attention quite like the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Its vast domes rise above the city skyline, shimmering in gold, while its sheer scale and presence make it impossible to ignore. Yet this is more than just a striking landmark, it is a monument shaped by history, sacrifice and national identity.… Read the rest

Breakfast In Sofia

Breakfast In Sofia

Breakfast in Sofia surprised me in the best possible way. Instead of rushing through coffee and pastry, I found myself slowing down, sitting with food that carried centuries of history. One of my favorite mornings in Bulgaria unfolded at The Rainbow Factory, a colorful, welcoming spot that celebrates traditional Bulgarian flavors while keeping things warm, local, and deeply comforting.… Read the rest

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

If ancient Serdica reveals Sofia’s foundations and Ottoman relics speak of centuries under empire, then the Ivan Vazov National Theatre tells the story of a nation finding its voice.

Set against the leafy calm of City Garden, its elegant façade – columns, statues and deep red walls – exudes unmistakably European architecture.… Read the rest

The Rotunda of St. George

The Rotunda of St. George

Hidden behind the imposing façade of modern government buildings, tucked quietly within an unassuming courtyard, stands a structure that has witnessed nearly everything Sofia has ever been.

The Rotunda of St. George is not just the oldest building in the city, it is its most enduring.… Read the rest

Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery

Nestled deep in the Rila Mountains of southwestern Bulgaria, Rila Monastery immediately captures the imagination. Surrounded by towering pines and rugged peaks, this UNESCO World Heritage Site merges spiritual reverence with architectural grandeur. Standing as a living testament to Bulgaria’s Orthodox heritage, a sanctuary where faith, art and history seamlessly intertwine, every corner of the monastery reflects centuries of devotion, creativity and resilience.… Read the rest

Kordopulov House

Kordopulov House

In the middle of charming Melnik is the Kordopulov House. We visit here on a bright, sunny spring morning after a bracing walk to the Holy Place. The town is quiet, it’s the very beginning of the season anyway but Covid has hit tourism hard and we receive an especially warm welcome as the first tourists to return since the beginning of the pandemic.… Read the rest

The Holy Place

The Holy Place

Atop Melnik’s picturesque cliff tops, the St. Virgin Mary Spileotisa Monastery is perched. Known locally as the Holy Place, this tiny monastery, referred to a a cave (speleon) was built between 1209 – 1211. Its name is also associated with the Virgin Mary of the Holy Place at the Mount Athos monastery Vatopedi.… Read the rest