Settlement:
Districts:
In the downtown there are the buildings of the National Assembly, the Presidency, the Council of Ministers, all ministries and highest court institutions- The Supreme Cassation Court, the Supreme Administrative Court, the Supreme Court Council, Central Prosecutors Bureau, etc. Here are also some other national institutions (Constitutional Court, Central Road Management Office, etc.), several economic institutions (Bulgarian Economy Chamber), as well as institutions primarily engaged in the accomplishment of the reforms in the country (Privatization Agency, Mass Privatization Agency, Foreign Investment Agency, etc.).
The centre is situated between the "Maria Luiza", "Evlogi Georgiev", "Ivan Geshov", and "Skobelev" blvds. and "Opalchenska" str.
The story of the capital's development is very interesting and dates back as early as the 80s of the 19ht c when Sofia began turning into a Middle-European city following the models of European cities consistent with Bulgarian specifics.
The architecture changed with the acquisition of European style, taste and fashion. The public and residential architecture during the first twenty years after the Liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish domination was almost completely created by foreigners- architects, constructors and designers, who came to Bulgaria for a specified term and with specific tasks. Most of them were from Austro-Hungary, but there were also Germans, Armenians, Polish, and Italians.
The construction possibilities in the center are limited. Most of the residential buildings are in the Medical Acdemy region between "Skobelev", "P. Slaveykov", "Praga" and "Ivan Geshev" blvds. and in the "Oborishte" region between the "V. Levski", "Dondukov", "Yanko Sakazov" blvds. and "Oborishte" str.
NDK has excellent technical equipment and is suitable for activities and happenings of all types: congresses, conferences, concerts, cinema shows, exhibitions and fairs. Its well-developed infrastructure and integrated services (bank operations, restaurants, catering, parking lots, etc.) make NDK a centre preferred by most Bulgarian and foreign clients. Its membership in the prestigious International Congress and Conference Association and the International Association of Congress Centres guarantee its high-quality servicing.
The Congress Centre- Sofia National Palace of Culture was awarded the 2005 Apex award of AIPC for "Best Congress Centre in the World". The area around NDK has been formed into a park-garden with numerous cafes, cafeterias, two parking lots. It is a favorite place for relaxation and a preferred residential area.
The reconstruction of "Hr. Botev" blvd. and "Alabin" str. was completed during the last 15 years and the reconstruction of "Makedonia" blvd. has also begun. The Sofia underground was put into partial exploitation in 1998 and the new "Todor Aleksandrov" blvd. connecting the centre with the western quarters was opened that same year. The so-called women's market (Zhenski Pazar) and its area was reconstructed. Many buildings have been renovated- architectural monuments along the "Pirotska" str. and "Tsar Osvoboditel" blvd. The reconstruction of the Mineral Bath has also commenced. The facades of many residential and public buildings in the central civic part are being made under the "Beautiful Sofia" and "Beautiful Bulgaria" projects.
New construction is extremely limited due to the lack of free construction terrains. There are several new residential complexes in the regions around NDK, the Medical Academy, Oborishte, Ruski Pametnik, and the blocks between "Hristo Botev" Blvd., "Slivnitza" Blvd., and "Stamboliyski" Blvd. The free space along the central boulevards is mainly used for investment projects (hotels, office buildings, representative offices, etc.).
The central city part of the capital is rich in greenery and parks. Borisovata gradina Park with its dream-awakening lake Ariyana occupies the central park of Sofia. It also hosts many tennis courts, bike traces, the football stadium "Bulgarian Army" and the national stadium "Vassil Levski".
The Municipal City Garden is situated in the very centre of the city - opposite the Municipal Gallery.
The fountains in front of Ivan Vazov National Theatre with the sculptures of dancing girls is another must-see in the capital.
The cultural and administrative life of the capital is concentrated mainly around the "Tsar Osvoboditel" Blvd. and the streets nearby. Here are the Presidency, the Council of Ministers, the Bulgarian National Bank, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the Military Club, the National Art Gallery, the Russian Church, the National Theatre for Opera and Ballet, the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, the Aleksandar Nevski Cathedral, the Sofia University, as well as many banks and administrative institutions.
Park Oborishte, favourite place for relaxation of many, is a minute-walk from the monument of Vassil Levski, at "Yanko Sakazov" Blvd.
The so-called "Doktorksi Pametnik" or "Doktorska Gradina" is situated between the "V. Levski" Blvd., "Yanko Sakazov" Blvd., "Tsar Osvoboditel" Blvd. and "Oborishte" St. It is considered the most prestigious and expensive residential places in the heart of Sofia. Its varied architectural appearance, greenery and the close proximity to most cultural institutions are among the features most treasured by representatives of the Bulgarian and foreign business elite. Many the diplomatic and commercial representative offices are located here too.
The centre of the capital is the home of some of the most prestigious high schools and schools.
LIST OF SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS AND THEIR ADDRESSES:
BBC Centre
www.bbc.bg/bbccentre
Sofia, 67 "Knyaz Boris 1" St.
British Council
www.britishcouncil.org/bulgaria
Sofia, 7 "Krakra" St.
Russian Cultural Information Centre
http://www.rcic.ttm.bg/pla.htm
Sofia, 34 "Shipka" St.
French Culture Institute
www.ambafrance-bg.org
Sofia, 2 "Dyakon Igantiy" St.
Goethe Institut
www.goethe.de/ms/sf
Sofia, 1 "Budapeshta" St.
American Culture Institute
http://www.usembassy.bg
Sofia, 18 "Vitosha" Blvd.
Hungarian Culture Centre
www.magyarintezet.hu/sofia
Sofia, 16 "Aksakov" St., tel: 981 98 87, 987 23 07
fax: 981 91 79
Polish Culture Centre
www.polinst-bg.org
Sofia, 12 "Veslets" St., tel: 981 09 07, 987 21 59
fax: 981 57 44
Euro-Bulgarian Culture Centre
www.eubcc.bg
Sofia,17 "Stamboliyski" Blvd.
Czech Culture Centre
www.czechcentres.cz/scc/bulharsko
Sofia, 1000 "G.S.Rakovski" St., tel: 981 39 10, факс: 981 39 11
DOM NA KINOTO (DOLBY SR, AIR CONDITION)
37 "Ekzarh Yosif" St., tel: 980 78 38, 980 39 11;
EURO-BULGARIAN CULTURE CENTRE FX CINEMA (DOLBY DIGITAL DTS, AIR CONDITION)
17 "Al. Stamboliyski" Blvd., tel: 980 41 61;
EVROPA PALACE (DOLBY DIGITAL, AIR CONDITION)
35 "Alabin" St., tel: 987 07 07;
KULTURA New SLAVEIKOV Cinema Hall (AIR CONDITION)
11 "Slaveykov" Sq., tel: 987 95 66;
KULTURA GLOBUS Hall (DIGITAL DTS, AIR CONDITION)
2 "Solunska" St., tel: 987 95 66;
LEVSKI (DOLBY DIGITAL DTS, AIR CONDITION )
30 "Yanko Sakazov" Blvd., tel: 46 71 71;
MIR (DOLBY DIGITAL, AIR CONDITION)
6 "Denkoglu" St., tel: 986 11 35;
MODEREN TEATAR (DOLBY DIGITAL, AIR CONDITION)
26 "Mariya Luiza" Blvd., tel: 983 56 46;
MULTIPLEX (DOLBY DIGITAL SURROUND EX, AIR CONDITION)
1 "Bulgariya" Sq., tel: 951 51 01;
www.uncinema.com
REX (DOLBY SR )
37 "Vitosha" Blvd., tel: 987 28 77;
ROYAL (DOLBY DIGITAL )
29 "Klokotnitsa" St., tel: 931 06 40;
SERDIKA (DOLBY DIGITAL SDDS DTS, AIR CONDITION)
1 "Pametnika Levski" Sq., tel: 843 17 97;
3D CINEMA (MOSKVA) (3-D CINEMA WITH GLASSES)
52 "Alabin" St., tel: 987 31 78;
FX CINEMA (DOLBY DIGITAL DTS, AIR CONDITION)
www.fx-cinema.com
5 "Angel Kanchev" St., tel: 981 27 17.
MUNICIPALITIES IN THE CENTRE:
Capital Municipality- 33 "Moskovska" St., tel: 9377, 987 94 14;
Vazrazhdane Region- 62 "Al. Stamboliyski" Blvd., tel: 980 51 28;
Oborishte Region- 11 "Madrid" St., tel: 944 35 85;
Sredetz Region- 6 "Lege" St., tel: 987 78 11;
Triaditsa Region- 54 "Alabin" St., tel: 989 49 90.
Office of the 1st Regional Police Department, 135 "G.S.Rakovski" St.
5th Regional Police Department, 4 "Marin Drinov St.
The biggest retail store in the centre is TZUM. It is located at "Mariya Luiza" Blvd. and "Dondukov" Blvd., near the Sheraton Hotel, the Presidency and the Council of Ministers. Some of the biggest chain stores have their offices and stores here. Over the last few years "Mariya Luiza" Blvd. and "Vitosha" Blvd. have turned into a basic trade streets. Here the trademarks DIKA, RILA STYLE, BIZZIANI, TERRA NOVA, SISLEY, BENETTON, MANGO, MAX MARA, NIKE, etc. are located. In 2006 two more malls were opened - City Center just behind the Natiobnal Palace of Culture and the Earth and People Museum and Mall of Sofia on Alexander Stamboliyski Blvd.
"BALGARSKA ARMIA" THEATRE (98 "G.S.Rakovski" St. , tel: 987 29 56);
"IVAN VAZOV" NATIONAL THEATRE (5 "Dyakon Ignatiy" St., tel: 988 28 84; Tickets Desk 1: tel. 986 22 52);
NARODEN TEATAR ZA MLADEZHTA (10 "Narodno Sabranie" Sq., Tickets: tel. 988 17 53);
LITTLE CITY THEATRE "ZAD KANALA" (1 "Madrid" Blvd., Administration- 40 "Aleko Konstantinov" St., tel: 846 20 20;
STATE MUSICAL THEATRE "STEFAN MAKEDONSKI" (e-mail: [email protected], 3 "P. Volov" St., Tickets: tel. 943 19 79);
STATE SATIRIC THEATRE "ALEKO KONSTANTINOV" (e-mail: [email protected], 26 "Stefan Karadzha" St., Tickets: tel. 988 10 60 );
DRAMATIC THEATRE "SOFIA" (e-mail: [email protected], 23A "Yanko Sakazov" Blvd., Tickets: tel. 944 24 85);
NEW DRAMATIC THEATRE "SALZA I SMIAH" ( 127 "G.S.Rakovski" St., Tickets: tel. 987 58 95);
THEATRE 199 (Program: http://www.inet.bg/culture/199.html, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected], 8 "Slavyanska" St., Administration: tel. 987 08 72);
NATIONAL OPERA AND BALLET ( 30 "Dondukov" Blvd., Switch Board 987 70 11, 12, Tickets: tel. 987 13 66);
VAZRAZHDANE THEATRE (4 "Slaveykov" Sq.-Capital Library, Tickets: tel. 987 24 31, fax: 987 54 11);
CENTRAL PUPPET THEATRE (14 "Gurko" St., Tickets: tel. 988 54 16);
ART THEATRE – CULTURE CENTRE "SREDETZ" (34 "Shipka" St., tel: 943 35 43, fax: 943 36 21);
National Gallery for Decorative-Applied Arts (56 "V. Levski" Blvd.)
National Arts Gallery (1 "Al. Batenberg" Sq.);
National Gallery for Foreign Art (www.ngfa.icb.bg; 1 "Devetnadeseti Fevruari" St.);
Union of Bulgarian Artists (6 "Shipka" St.);
Sofia City Art Gallery (http://sghg.cult.bg; 1 "Gen Gurko" St.);
ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE WITH MUSEUM AT THE BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (http://www.palata5.com/aim; 2 "Saborna" St.);
ETHNOGRAPHICAL INSTITUTE WITH MUSEUM AT THE BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (http://hs41.iccs.bas.bg; 6A "Moskovska" St.);
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AT THE BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (1 "Tsar Osvoboditel" St.);
NATIONAL CHURCH HISTORICAL AND ARCHAELOGICAL MUSEUM (19 "Sveta Nedelya" Sq.)
MUSEUM OF PALEONTHOLOGY AND HISTORICAL GEOLOGY AT THE SOFIA UNIVERSITY ( 15 "Tsar Osvoboditel" Blvd., tel: 930 82 00);
MUSEUM OF THE SOFIA UNIVERSITY http://www.uni-sofia.bg/history-art/museum/index.html; 15 "Tsar Osvoboditel" Blvd., tel: 930 82 00);
CRYPT OF THE PATRIARCH’S CATHEDRAL TEMPLE "SV. ALEXANDAR NEVSKI" (1 "St. Alexander Nevski" Sq.).
Sv. Aleksandar Nevski, 1 "Al. Nevski" Sq.;
Sveta Nedelya, "Maria Luiza" Blvd. and "Vitosha" Blvd.;
Sveti Georgi, behind the Sheraton Hotel
Sveta Petka Samardzhiyska, "Saborna" St.;
Sveti Sedmochislenitsi, "Graf Ignatiev" St.;
Sveta Velikomatchenitsa Paraskeva, 58 "G.S.Rakovski" St.;
Sveti Nikolay Mirlikiyski Chudotvorets, "Tsar Osvoboditel" St. and "G.S.Rakovski" St.;
Sveti Georgi Sofiyski , "Patriarch Evtimiy" Blvd.;
Sveti Nikola, "Opalchenska" St.;
Sveta Sofia, 2 "Paris" St.;
Sv.Sv. Kiril and Metodiy", 47 "G.Washington" St.
Catholic Church, 5 "Lyulin Planina" St.
Monastic Community "Eucharist Sisters", 2 "Angelo Ronkali" St.
The big central boulevards form the major transportation arteries in the capital. The bus lines from the central railway station (100 "Maria Luiza" Blvd.) and the new modern bus station are the following busses: to "Gotze Delchev" quarter- No. 74; to "Zapaden Park" q.- No. 77; to "Nadezhda" q.- No. 85; to "Mladost" 1,2,3,4- No. 213, 313, 305; to "Darvenitsa" q.- No. 413; to "Levski" q.- No. 85; to "Obelya" q.- No. 150.
You can take the following busses from "Lavov Most" to "Mladost" q.- No. 213, 313, 305; "Ovcha Kupel" q.- No. 11; "Lyulin" q.- No. 309, 310, 242 and 54 and trolley No. 6.
Another major transport junction is "Orlov Most" Sq. Here are the busses passing through and their routes:
No. 72- "Krasna Polyana" q.- "Reduta" q.
No. 75- "Slatina q".- "Orlov Most" Sq.
No. 76- "Gotse Delchev" q.- "Mladost" 4 q.
No. 9- "Sports Palace"- "Slatina" q.
No. 84- "Sports Palace"- Airport
No. 94- Sofia University- "Studentski grad" q. ,
No. 280- Sofia University- "Darvenitsa" q.
No. 306- Sofia University- "Mladost" 3 q.
No. 204- "Borovo" q. - "Druzhba" 2 q.
No. 604- "Pirogov Institute" - "Druzhba 1" q.
Tram transportation :
Tram No. 7- "Bulgaria" Blvd.- "Nadezhda" 3 q.
Tram No. 1- "Ivan Vazov" q.- "Obelya" q.
Tram No. 6- "Hladilnika" q.- "Obelya" q.
Tram No. 12- "Lozenets" q. - "Iliantsi"
Tram No. 2,14- "Orlandovtsi"q.- "Lozenets" q.
Tram No. 18- "Izgrev" q. and "Iztok" q.
Here are the trolleys driving along "Vassil Levski" Blvd. and "Patriarch Evtimiy":
Trolley No. 9- "Kozloduy" St.- "Borovo" q.
Trolley No. 2- "Buckston" q.- "Hadzhi Dimitar" q.
Trolley No. 1- "Banishora" q.- "Suha Reka" q.
Trolley No. 8- "Gotse Delchev" q.- Okrazhna Bolnitsa (District Hospital).
Photos: http://www.panoramio.com