Cultural sightseeing in Bulgaria. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces

1. The national currency of Bulgaria is lev (lion) and a small change coin is a stotinka. Changing money in Bulgaria is best in banks. Before the …
Read further
Read further
Bulgaria is a quiet and cozy place where you can spend an unforgettable family vacation. For recreation with children, you can choose any direction, …
Read further
Read further

Shopping in Bulgaria has certain specificity. All goods in the country can be divided into two categories: imported and local. Prices of imported …
Read further
Read further

This article about cultural sites of Bulgaria is protected by the copyright law. You can re-use the content, but only under the condition of placement of an active link to www.orangesmile.com.
Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Bulgaria
Reference information
Art galleries in Bulgaria
♥ Art museum 'National Archaeological Museum' Sofia. On the map
Photos
♥ Art museum 'National Art Gallery' Sofia. On the map
Photos
♥ Art museum 'National Gallery for Foreign Art' Sofia. On the map
Photos
♥ Art museum 'Varna Archaeological Museum' Varna. On the map
Photos
♥ Art museum 'National Archaeological Museum' Sofia. On the map


♥ Art museum 'National Art Gallery' Sofia. On the map


♥ Art museum 'National Gallery for Foreign Art' Sofia. On the map


♥ Art museum 'Varna Archaeological Museum' Varna. On the map


Extreme Guinness-type places in Bulgaria
Sozopol
From the series “Monochromatic Cities - Stunning Views”
In the historical district you will see mostly two-stored buildings in classical Bulgarian style. Within several decades there were developed a great tourism and entertainment infrastructure. Nowadays in the city there are about 600 restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other entertaining … Read all
Devetashka Cave
From the series “Fantastic and Colorful Caves Inside the Earth”
It must be mentioned that the colorful cave is considered an important archaeological area. Still in the Palaeolithic period it served as a refuge for people, as evidenced by tools found in the cave, made of silicon, … Read all

Expo 2020 in Dubai Was Visited by More Than 7 Million Visitors
If you haven’t visited this event yet, there is still time to book a hotel in Dubai because Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March 2022. People who are unable to visit the emirate can make a virtual tour on the Expo 2020 website. By the way, the virtual visitation has already reached 31.6 million by the end of December.
Read this
29.03.2023
If you haven’t visited this event yet, there is still time to book a hotel in Dubai because Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March 2022. People who are unable to visit the emirate can make a virtual tour on the Expo 2020 website. By the way, the virtual visitation has already reached 31.6 million by the end of December.

29.03.2023
Top cultural sites of Bulgaria: monuments, theaters and churches
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a cathedral dedicated to Russian soldiers who freed Bulgaria of the Turkish yoke. The cathedral was built by patriots of Bessarabia, Dobrudzha, Austria, and Russia. 
» In 1882, the first stone was laid. The construction lasted from 1904 to 1912. It had been named after Saint Cyrill and Methodius until 1920. The cathedral was declared a cultural monument only in 1924.
» The building was designed by Russian architects I. Bogomolov and A. Pomerantsev. The cathedral was built and decorated with Russian and Bulgarian architects and artists. The iconostasis of the cathedral is decorated with two icons painted by V. M. Vasnetsov.
» The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in the pearl frame was donated to the cathedral by Aleksey I, a Russian patriarch.
» The total area of the building is 2 600 m2, so it can accommodate about 5 000 people at the same time. The bell tower has 12 bells made in Moscow. The biggest bell weighs 12 tons. The sound of bells is heard even beyond the city.
» Nowadays, the cathedral is the residence of Bulgarian patriarchs. It also appeared in two films: “Hitman” and “Ninja”.
Boyana Church, Sofia
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The Boyana Church is located not far from the capital. It is an old construction that consists of three sectors built at different times. 
» The oldest part is a small church built in the 10th century. In the 13th century, the Bulgarian noble Kaloyan built a two-level church and shrine at his expense. The new church was built in 1882.
» In 1259, medieval artists Basil and Dimitri covered the walls of the church with a new painted layer. The names of artists were known when the church was being restored.
» The main value of the church is authentic wall painting. It was done in accordance with the unique technique of portrait paintings that have found nowhere else in the world. Every portrait has individuality and expresses emotions. Faces on the portraits are not repeated.
» On the walls of the temple, scenes from the Holy Scripture are depicted. You can also see pictures of Jesus Christ at different points of his life and at different ages.
» In 1979, the Boyana Church became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. In honor of the 1300th anniversary of Bulgaria, jubilee coins were issued. The Boyana Church was stamped on the 2 leva coin.
National Art Gallery, Sofia
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The National Art Gallery is located in the former residence of Prince Alexander of Battenberg. It was built in 1873. Pieces of art started to be collected in 1892. The sector in the Archeology Museum was allocated for them. 
» When the collection was big enough, an art gallery was opened. In 1952, the gallery occupied some rooms in the palace.
» The collection includes paintings and sculptures of Bulgarian National Revival artists (1878).
» Medieval icons that are real treasures of the gallery are kept and displayed at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
» The gallery houses 50 000 works made by 3 000 Bulgarian masters.
» The National Gallery also includes home-museums of artists Vera Nedkova and Nikola Tanev and sculptor Ivan Lazarov.
National Gallery for Foreign Art, Sofia
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The National Gallery for Foreign Art houses the collection received from the National Art Gallery in 1985. The gallery was founded by the Fund of Lyudmila Zhivkova, the daughter of Todor Zhivkov. Many exhibits were donated from private collections. 
» The gallery occupies four floors of an old mansion. The collection of foreign art includes 10 000 exhibits.
» In the halls, you can see paintings and sculptures of Western European masters: Rembrandt, M. Chagall, F. Giya, S. Dali, P. Picasso, and Roden.
» The gallery houses over 200 works of Nikolai Roerich and his son Svetoslav.
» Here, you can also see the big and interesting collection of different decorative items from Africa, Japan, India, and Asia.
Russian Church, Sofia
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The Russian Church in Sofia is also known as the Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker. It was decided to build to church after the Russian-Turkish War. The plot of land near the Russian embassy was allocated for it. 
» The construction began only in 1907 because fundraising had gone on for too long. The church was consecrated in 1914. The festive ceremony was visited by Prince Vladimir, the son of Alexander II.
» The First World War, during which Bulgaria opposed Russia, forced the church to cease its activity. Only after the Second World War, the Russian Orthodox Church was re-opened.
» In its chapel, Archbishop Seraphim who had worked here since 1921 until his death in 1950 was buried. He was canonized for performing miracles and helping believers.
» Russian Emperor Nicholas II donated bells for the bell tower to the Russian Church.
Saint Sofia Church, Sofia
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The Saint Sofia Church or the Basilica of Saint Sofia is the oldest church that has survived to this day. The first churches were built here already in the 3rd century. They were destroyed during barbarians’ raids. In 537, the Saint Sofia Church was reconstructed on the initiative of Emperor Justinian I. 
» In the late 16th century, during the Ottoman invasion, Turks turned the Orthodox Church into a mosque, built a minaret, and got rid of paintings. In 1858, the minaret was destroyed by an earthquake, so Turks rebuilt it into a warehouse.
» The church was repeatedly restored in the 20th century and finally gained its original appearance. In 1998, the basilica was opened for parishioners.
» During archaeological excavations, catacombs with graves were found under the building. You can also see the fragment of the painting of the first church.
» In 1955, the Saint Sofia Church was declared a cultural monument.
Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church, Sofia
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church, or Seven Saints Church, was built at the site of the Black Mosque in 1903. The mosque was called like this because its minaret was made of black marble. The Black Mosque was founded in 1528. 
» When Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire, it was abandoned and dilapidated. The Christian Church was rebuilt on the initiative of A. N. Pomerantsev. A bell tower with four bells was constructed. The church was consecrated in honor of St. Cyril and Methodius and their followers: Savva, Clement, Nahum, Angelar, and Gorazd.
» When the church was rebuilt, the excavations were conducted. Under the foundation, the fragments of an old Christian Church dating back to the 5th century were found. Also, the fragments of Asklepion, the temple of the Roman god of medicine Asklepios where people were treated, were found here.
Culture and monuments in popular cities of Bulgaria
Almost all rooms are open for tours. Here you can see collections of old furniture and works of art, religious paraphernalia, beautiful antique tableware, and other accessories. At the entrance to the palace, you will see is the queen’s favorite old stone throne. The rooms located on the ground floor are occupied by an art gallery, which displays artworks belonging to various periods. The queen's rooms have been preserved on the next floor. An interesting feature of the summer palace is its … Read more

The Assumption Church is a no less important religious attraction. It is an incredibly interesting landmark from an architectural point of view and is considered to be a classic monument in the Bulgarian Revival style. The church was built in the mid-18th century instead of a ruined medieval temple, which failed to survive the Ottoman invasion. A carved wooden iconostasis, which was installed immediately after the opening, remains the main decoration of the church. The city’s belfry a … Read more

Since 1887, the palace was the main residence of the royal family. Nowadays it hosts two outstanding cultural institutions, the Ethnographical Museum and the National Art Gallery. The Banya Bashi Mosque is an interesting landmark. Built in 1576 by one of the most famous Turkish architect, it continues to operate for more than four centuries. The red brick building can be seen even from remote areas of the city. Travelers can appreciate the appearance of the mosque and access its … Read more

Among the items exhibited in the museum you will find various ritual objects and religious artifacts, crafts by local artisans and vintage clothing, as well as a beautiful collection of pottery. There are several observation platforms next to the monastery, which is located on a high rock. From there guests can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the city. Church of St. John the Baptist is a no less important excursion and religious monument of the city. The church is located in the heart of the … Read more

You will also find several wonderful sights near Independence Square. Here is located the surviving part of the fortress wall that surrounded the city yet during the reign of the Roman Empire. Round Tower and magnificent Opera House are located just nearby. The tower was built in the beginning of Middle Ages and was an important part of the city’s fortifications. A person, who was on duty in the tower, was the first one to warn citizens of the city about the approach of a danger. Round Tower … Read more

Roman Stadium is a no less interesting landmark of the antique times. The gorgeous stadium was built in the 2nd century B.C.E. It is open in the heart of Plovdiv and surrounded by beautiful architectural landmarks of different epochs that look absolutely gorgeous with modern illumination. Despite the fact that there are buildings of different styles in the center of the city, Plovdiv looks incredibly harmonious and attractive. Out of all religious landmarks of Plovdiv, it’s important to … Read more

One of the oldest buildings on the territory of the peninsula is considered to be the Church of St Stephen or the New Bishopric. The church was established in the 11th century and presents an architectural landmark of ultimate beauty. Built of stone church survived in its initial look through many centuries. Its walls keep a priceless collection of religious artifacts. The church of St Aliturgetos is considered to be a religious landmark of a later period. This church was established by Greeks … Read more

The ruins of Phoros Fortress are a no less interesting historic landmark of the region. According to a theory, the fortress was built in the early medieval period. The protective facility was almost completely destroyed by Turkish invaders, so nowadays visitors can see only a small part of the surviving constructions. The history of Phoros Fortress is full of secrets and mysteries. Scientists still cannot say for sure what were the building date and purpose of the fortress. Archaeological … Read more
