12

18

20

22

82

4

6

7

23

1

WHERE AM I GOING?

CENTRES OF FAITH SOFIA - ANCIENT AND YOUNG

NATURAL INSPIRATION

IHTIMAN - WITNESS OF PAST AGES

CROSSROADS OF ADVENTURE

SVOGE - STORIES FROM THE GORGE

SNOWY EMOTIONS

THE TRAILS OF HISTORY

TOURIST INFORMATION

32

Trakia is one of the four motorways connecting the capital with every point of the country. The Hemus motorway provides fast access to the cities of Northern Bulgaria, while the Struma motorway - via the Lyulin motorway - ensures access to the border of neighbouring Greece. Railway and bus transport are exceptionally well-developed, the best being on the territory of the capital. Sofia is home to the countrywide largest airport, railway station and bus station, ensuring daily convenient connections to all of Bulgaria and many destinations around the world. Bus and railway lines ensure transport connections between separate residential locations around the three municipalities. As expected for a cosmopolitan city, Bulgaria’s capital offers multiple options for accommodation - from budget locations to high-category hotels. Food establishments are also extremely various. The national and international dishes can satisfy any taste as regards quality and price. The regions of Ihtiman and Svoge offer marvellous opportunities to get to know local cultural traditions and hospitality. Detailed information about the tourist sights in the region can be found at either of the two tourist information centres in Sofia: in the subway of the Sofia University and in St. Nedelya square. There are bank branches and cash points in almost all larger populated areas in the region; the hotline for emergencies for the entire country is 112.

Among mountainous landscapes, rocky cliffs, full-bodied rivers and vast plains hides the inexhaustible source of history of the tourist region Sofia - Ihtiman - Svoge. The arena of historical events, a crossroads of cultures and religions, the region has retained to present day the proof of long gone ages. The various relief suggests a wide spectrum of recreational entertainment within the boundaries of the municipalities of Sofia, Ihtiman and Svoge. Along with cultural-historical and religious sights, here anyone can find - depending on their desire - opportunities for eco, ski, SPA and event tourism. The differences in the relief also defines the climate of the separate regions - from moderate continental to mountainous. The tourist region attracts people all year round with attractive offers for spending a pleasant holiday. Sofia prides itself with its proximity to the marvellous Vitosha mountain located at the very doorstep of the capital. Dozens of hiking trails, 29 Km of ski slopes, 2 protected zones and impressive natural sights make the mountain a favourite place for recreation for the residents and visitors of the city. The region around Svoge - the picturesque Iskar gorge and the Lakatnik cliffs - are a real inspiration for ardent mountaineers and hiking fans. On the territory of the Ihtiman municipality, tourists have the opportunity to indulge in the aristocratic world of golf on the course in immediate proximity to the Trakia motorway connecting Sofia with the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

WHERE AM I GOING?

54

From Antiquity and the Medieval, Sofia has preserved valuable cultural monuments which witnessed important historical events and the people living in the times of great and ambitious rulers - the remains of a for tress and arena, the St. Georgi rotund with its preserved exquisite painting of a f lying angel with unusually spirited features, the St. Sofia basilica which gave its name to the city and many others. The National History Museum, the National Archaeology Museum and the underground museum under the St. Sofia basilica disclose details of the millennia of history of the city.But Sofia is not only history - it charms its guests with countless cultural centres: galleries, museums, theatres and concer t halls . Given its r ich programme, the capital is a magnet for the lovers of dif ferent ar ts . The magnif icent architecture of the city centre, the charming paved streets and comfortable cafes provide a base for long city walks. The beautiful city parks and the immediate proximity of the Vitosha mountain provide a wonder ful opportunity for one to escape the dynamics of urban life in the calmness of nature. Sofia has the unique benefit of having a ski centre in immediate proximity boasting almost 30 Km of ski slopes. Another challenge for the sports-minded is several k ilometres from the city - a modern golf course, home to several dif ferent tournaments.

Founded in antiquity, Sofia’s hear tbeat is of a modern city, developing its millennia of cultural traditions which have placed it as a forerunner as one of the cultural centres of Europe. The capital of Bulgaria bears the cosmopolitan spirit of the large global metropoles, meeting past, present and future on the crossroads between the East and the West. The thermal, health-giving springs became attractive f irst to the Thracians, who created their city which later captured the hear t of the Roman emperor Constantin the Great, who claimed “Serdika is my Rome!” Through the centuries, the city has changed its name several times - Serdika, Sredets, Triaditsa, Sofia, but always played an important role in history.In Medieval times, the region of Sofia provided a welcoming environment for the development of Christian ar t . Dozens of monasteries were founded in this period, forming a type of Christian complex, the Sofia Lesser Holy Forest. Since then dates the unique cultural monument of Medieval ar t - the Boyana church, which murals secured it a position in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list . In the end of the 14th century AD, Sofia fell under a f ive-century Ottoman occupation, to rise again from the centuries of darkness in 1878 and become the capital of a liberated Bulgaria.

SOFIA - ANCIENT AND YOUNG

76

An unexpectedly ancient history, impressive games of nature and the feeling of homely cosiness make Svoge and the area a well-sought after and rediscovered destination time and time again. Surrounded by three mountains in the magnificent Iskar gorge, the city is a mere 40 Km north of the capital of Bulgaria. The most ancient history of this area is connected to the Thracian tribe named the Tribals. From then to this day, the remains of several fortresses have been preserved along with three necropoles. In Roman times, there was a village in the gorge supporting the Roman road connecting antique Serdika with the northern provinces of Ancient Rome. The Svoge municipality prides itself with over 80 cultural historic monuments and monasteries which have preserved the Bulgarian spirit, culture and literature. One of the most emblematic monasteries, part of the Sofia Lesser Holy Forest, is located in the area - the Osenovlag monastery Sv. Bogoroditsa, popular with the name The Seven Thrones due to its featured seven altars. Exceptionally valuable frescoes attract the attention of worshippers towards the Iskrets monastery Uspenie Bogorodichno dating back to the 13th century, while the inspiration of the patriarch of Bulgarian literature Ivan Vazov - the monastery founded in the 10th century AD Sv.

Petka - welcomes churchgoers in the northeastern end of the Svoge area to this day. Probably the most impressive feature of Svoge and the region is its breathtaking nature. The heaven of mountaineers - the Lakatnik cliffs, the many eco trails, among which the famous Vazova Eco Puteka, the Temnata Dupka cave and many others are a starting point and final destination for many planned and spontaneous adventures in the Iskar river gorge.

SVOGE - STORIES

FROM THE GORGE

Once a Roman station protecting the most ancient and direct transport connection between Middle Europe and Asia Prime - Via Militaris - today Ihtiman offers its guests not only a rich cultural past, but attractive natural routes, warm hospitality and aristocratic fun such as horse riding and golf on the vast Ihtiman plain and the Ihtiman area of the Sredna Gora mountain range.

The first information about the city is sometime in the age of the Odrys Thracian nation - 5th century BC. Thracian burial mounds have been discovered around almost all Ihtiman area settlements, preserving to this day the testimony of ages past long ago. Antiquity presents itself in the form of the preserved Markova Mehana fortress, which used to be part of the Trayanovi Vrata fortress system which defended the passes towards Serdika to the fall of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom to the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Remains of antique metalwork furnaces can be found in the area Yazovinite. The Ihtiman History Museum is the proof that local people seek to retain pieces of history for future generations. Located in the centre of the city itself, the museum discloses, in two separate exhibitions, the life of the local population and findings of archaeological surveys in the region.The building of the Turkish baths is the location to accommodate for the art of the region - the City Art Gallery. The aesthetic achievement of local artists and craftsmen are exhibited in the environment of the impressive architecture of the old building. Ihtiman is a less known, but attractive destination, a favourite place for the lovers of more elite sports, such as golf and horse riding, and a preserver of millennia of history.

IHTIMAN - WITNESS OF

PAST AGES

98

lifelike features. The remains of Antique Serdika are to be seen everywhere in the centre of the city. The remains of the amphitheatre of the city, Arena di Serdika, are on exhibit on the ground floor of the hotel bearing the same name and are accessible for visiting. The walls date back to the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th century AD. The remains of the eastern gate of the fortress walls are located in the pedestrian subway between the Ministerial Council and the Presidency. Here one may find an original Roman street which, archaeologists say, was repaired for the last time in the 6th century AD. It is believed that the city walls reached a height of 12 metres, which made Serdika a very well-fortified city centre. The ground floor of the emblematic building of the Sofia market preserves the remains of the northwestern fortress wall of Serdika from Antiquity. Across from the market is the building of the Central Municipal Mineral Baths, which houses in its area of 2,300 square metres a chronological exhibition of the history of Sofia in the period from the Neolithic (6th century BC to the 40s of the 20th century AD). The history of Bulgaria is presented in two impressive museums’ exhibitions: the National Archaeological Institute and Museum, located in the old Buyuk (Big) Mosque and the National History Museum, located in the foothills of Vitosha mountain. Many valuable artefacts tell the story of Bulgarian

An entire treasury of valuable exhibits from past ages are generously provided to the eyes of the guests to the tourist region Sofia - Ihtiman - Svoge. To take a walk through Antiquity, the Medieval and following historical periods, is is not necessary for history-loving tourists to have to travel to faraway, hard-to-get spots; a walk in the centre of the Bulgarian capital is a marvellous opportunity to get to know the rise and fall of global empires, to learn more about the political changes of the past, the place of religion as part of a nation, the meaning of culture and see the works of art left from our ancestors.A large part of the Antiquity city of Serdika, a favourite place of important rulers from Antiquity, is exhibited in a sizeable area of the city centre in close proximity to many other cultural attractions - museums, galleries, theatres, etc. The oldest and best preserved building from Antiquity is the rotund Sv. Georgi, found in the courtyard of the Presidency building, only metres away from the remains of the antique fortress of Serdika. The cylindric domed building played the role of the main church of the city for long years, in the end giving up the title to the temple which gave the name to the city - St. Sofia. The first murals of the rotund date back to the time of Justinian the Great (who ruled 527 - 565 AD). The part of this picturesque fresco preserved to this day is the exquisite image of an enormous flying angel with unusually

THE TRAILS OF HISTORY

1110

below the basilica and four churches, one of which dates back to the 4th century AD. The exhibition also includes multimedia presentations and interesting information about the history of the ancient temple. Provoking interest are authentic items and findings, as well as a magnificent Byzantine floor mosaic from the 4th century AD with images of cypresses and doves. Today, one can also view the tomb of the religious persona Honoroy, dating from the 5th century AD, next to the entrance of the acting temple. The inside of the semi-cylindric tomb is decorated with red crosses and floral images in shades of red and green. On the southern side of the St. Sofia basilica is the monument dedicated to all Bulgarians who gave their life for the country - the Monument of the Unknown Warrior. The legends of the selflessness of the Bulgarians in the name of untouched borders of the country are shown in the remains of the fortress Urvich, which is found near Sofia. Historical data states the fortress was built in the 9th or 10th century AD, but is most often noted of in the chronicles of the 14th century AD in regard to the last battles of Tzar Ivan Shishman (who ruled 1371 - 1395) in the defence of the Second Bulgarian Nation. The main task of the unbeatable at that time fortress was to protect the pass towards Serdika. Today, part of the foundations of a battle tower and the fortress church Sv. Ilia remain.The past ages have left behind much evidence south of the capital as well - at the Ihtiman History museum, located in the centre of the town, in which one may find intriguing museum exhibits showing in detail the life, traditions and history of the region.

lands from the Palaeolithic to this day. Part of the globally renowned Thracian treasures are also to be seen in the museums’ collections.The present name of the capital is connected to the basilica Sv. Sofia, located in the heart of the city. The red temple with its Medieval-typical architecture attracts attention from afar, even with the backdrop of the nearby temple monument Sv. Alexander Nevski and its imposing golden domes. The basilica was built in the 6th century AD during the rule of Byzantine emperor Justinian (who ruled 527 - 565) on the foundation of four older Christian temples from the 4th century AD. The name given to the temple has been connected to the cathedral temple St. Sofia in Constantinople, which was dedicated to the Constantinople Worldly Patriarchy of God’s Wisdom. This symbolic gesture of emperor Justinian - dedicating another temple to God’s Wisdom in a large administrative centre on Via Diagonalis, which connected Europe to Asia, speaks plenty about the role of Antique Serdika in the period before the end of Antiquity. The basilica is cross-domed with a narthex, three vaults and a three-sided apse. Years of hard archaeological studies provided the opportunity to exhibit four underground levels

1312

- 10th AD was given to a presently non-existent monastery in Bistritsa destroyed in the 14th century AD. Today, in its place stands the Bistritsa monastery Sv. Sv. Joachim i Anna. The Bistritsa monastery is not only connected with the Medieval, but also with Antiquity via the mound necropolis beneath the monastery temple, built in 1947. Below the nave is a preserved antique tomb (4th - beginning of 5th century AD) and the spring next to the monastery is famous for its healing properties. The biography of the most revered Bulgarian saint, Ivan Rilski, has lef t its mark on the Sofia Lesser Holy Forest as well . Tzar Peter (927 - 969), who was famous for his worship of the saint, constructed two of the monasteries in the complex dedicated to him. The German village monastery was founded in the 10th century AD.Later destroyed and rebuilt , it was an important spiritual centre during Ottoman rule. Proof of this are the so-called German collection and the Minei manuscript by Roman Zagorets, both kept at the National Library. The two sequoia trees next to the monastery also have an impressive history. They are regal not only because of their silhouettes, but because they were planted personally by Count Ferdinand and Countess Maria-Luisa. The other monastery closely tied to Ivan Rilski is the Kuril monastery, which kept the relics of the saint until 1865. Even af ter

Built to maintain the Bulgarian spirit and traditions, to provide a place for expression and then preserve impressive works of Medieval ar t , many times destroyed and built anew, the temples and monasteries in the tourist region Sofia - Ihtiman - Svoge are still one of the most remarkable cultural monuments, at tracting tourists from the country and abroad with their history. The preserved monasteries, par t of the complex of the Sofia Lesser Holy Forest, positioned along the Vitosha mountain and its neighbouring mountains, are a natural magnet for a close-up experience with the spiritual. An interesting fact is that the monasteries were built in the likeness and repeat the organisational structure of the Aton monastic republic. The main monastery of the complex af ter the 15th century AD has been the Dragalevtsi Sv. Bogoroditsa Vitoshka, created by Tzar Ivan Alexander (1331 - 1371) circa 1345 and survived, as opposed to many others, af ter the conquering of Bulgaria by the Ottomans. The inscription above the door and donors’ por traits have special ethnographic and ar tistic value. In centuries 14th - 16th AD, the Dragalevtsi monastery was the centre of the Sofia Literature School. The monastery is an of f icial cultural monument and its library contains old printed religious scripts and a manuscript of the Fourth Book of the Bible from 1469. The role of Lavra (main monastery) between centuries 9th

CENTRES OF FAITH

1514

Medieval. Founded soon before the occupation of Sofia by the Ottomans, the monastery was destroyed and then restored in 1497 by the Sofia notable, Radivoy. The donors’ pictures of the children of Radovoy are among the brightest examples of mural ar t in the 15th century AD in the entire Orthodox world. The Dolni Lozen monastery Sveti Vlas opens up a wonder ful view of a large par t of the Sofia plains. Apar t from the nature of the Lozen mountain, it also provides an interesting historical walk back in time to the Medieval, when it was founded. The murals in the temple were the work of Nikola Obrazopisov and are dated to the 19th century AD. This is one of the few monasteries which has so many images of Bulgarian religious activists - Sv. Sv. Kiril and Metodii, Sv. Ivan Rilski, Sv. Evtimii Turnovski. A steep path leads to the dif f icult-to-access terrace over the Sofia-Samokov road, which provides shelter to the Kokalyane monastery, which together with the Urvich for tress, the Pancharevo monastery and the for tress temple Sv. Prorok Ilia formed the Urvich for tress-monastery complex. The monastery was constructed in the 9th century AD, during the reign of Tzar Samuil . During the Renaissance, it was an important literary centre. There are many valuable books kept at the monastery that have been preserved to present day; still in use are the Kokalyane Bible of 1579 and the Urvich collection, known for its bead-roll, which was begun in the 17th century AD. The Pancharevo monastery Sv. Nikola Letni was founded probably in the 10th or 11th century AD. Af ter Bulgaria fell to the Ottomans, the monastery was destroyed and

the removal of the holy relics, the monastery remained famous as a miraculous place. The Kuril monastery was founded in the 10th century AD and destroyed during the Ottoman invasion, af ter which it was restored and painted by the Sofia saint, Pimen Zografski . Among the icons in the temple of the monastery, the ones which at tract the greatest at tention are those connected to the saints whose life was dedicated to the protection of national identity - Sv. Panteleimon, Sv. Petka, Sv. Georgi Sofiisk i . The library of the monastery boasts one of the rare, f irst-print books of Bulgaria - the Bible of 1512. St . Pimen Zografski also worked in other monasteries from the Sofia Lesser Holy Forest. The saint travelled the Bulgarian lands for years, taught, built and renewed temples and monasteries, decorating them with murals . One of the cloisters decorated with his work is the Seslavtsi monastery, Sveti Nikolai Mirkili isk i . The monastery was founded in the period of the Second Bulgarian Nation. Today, only the temple remains, with three picturesque layers present to the public eye. The works of Pimen Zografski show us the faces of Sv. Ivan Rilski, Sv. Georgi Sofiisk i and Sv. Nikola Sofiisk i . The frescoes from the 18th century AD are impressive in their splendour and have retained their freshness. There was a Roman for tress opposite the height on which the monastery lays, and the remains are still there to this day. Another of the chain of monasteries painted by Pimen Zografski in the Sofia Holy Forest is the Podgumen monastery, Sv. Dimitar. The frescoes are among the sights of the Kremikovtsi holy cloister Sveti Georgi as well . They are the work of masters from the icon painting schools of the late

1716

European cultural space in Medieval times. The unique frescoes in the temple are the reason for its global fame. They are dated to 1259 and every single one of the over 240 images features individuality and high ar tistic merit . The portraits of the donors - Sebastokrator Kaloyan and his wife Desislava, as well as the Bulgarian Tzar Konstantin Asen T ih (who ruled in the period between 1257 - 1277) and Tzarina Ir ina are one of the oldest preserved portraits of historical f igures. Among the saints painted on the walls of the church, is the oldest preserved portrait of the Bulgarian national saint, Ivan Rilski .

the monks were burnt alive, which has been proven by the human bones discovered upon excavations of the foundations of the monastery. It was restored twice in the 20th century AD - in 1938 and 1996. To this day, it is an acting monastery. The most distant of the monasteries of the Sofia Holy Forest is the Osenovlag Sv. Bogoroditsa, also known as “The Seven Thrones”. Legend has it that it was constructed in the 11th century AD. It has been destroyed and restored multiple times. The present-day church was built and restored in 1815. Its name comes from the seven thrones (chapels) formed by walls in the dome, between the beams of the main cross. The wooden chandelier Horo is a unique monument of culture created from 15 separate pieces. Only the dome of the church is frescoed, while the power ful decorative elements of the temple are the wood carvings - the chandelier, thrones and altars in the chapels . During the Renaissance, the Osenovlag monastery was a centre of literacy, and its library keeps the 12th Minei, given as a present from the Russian empress Ekaterina the Great, biographies and other valuable religious books. The Medieval centuries have lef t impressive works of ar t marking the pinnacle of the development of the Bulgarian nation in the period. The only location in the Sofia region included in the UNESCO World Heritage list of sites - the Boyana church SV. Sv. Nikola i Panteleimon - is one of the few Medieval monuments entirely preserved to this day. Despite its small size, the temple, nestling in the foothills of Vitosha mountain, is a valuable piece of evidence of the inf luence of Bulgarian monumental ar t had on the

1918

l ist of protected areas in Bulgaria. Its history is connected to one of the epoch events in the annals of the country - it was one of the main revolutionary points of Bulgarians during the April Revolution of 1876. Several organic farms and eco hotels, dams, a golf course and an equestrian base make the stay in the Ihtiman region exceptionally pleasant for nature lovers. Majestically r ising above the rushing Iskar r iver, the Lakatnik clif fs are a true heaven for ardent mountaineers. It is interesting to note that the f irst use of mountaineering rope was recorded here in the faraway 1931. For the not-so-experienced peak climbers, the region around of fers hikes up picturesque, marked routes. One of the most impressive - the Vazovata Eco Puteka - leads to the Skaklya water fall . The trail does not bear the name in vain - in the past, the patriarch of Bulgarian literature Ivan Vazov walked this very walk and created some of his hear twarming pieces, one of which is the famed Dyado Yotso Gleda.Adrenaline seekers will f ind their place easily in the waters of the Iskar r iver in which raf ting and kayaking become a memorable experience. Even the most ref ined of tourists will be able to f ind a favourite place in the charming nature of the tourist region Sofia - Ihtiman - Svoge.

At only a shor t trek away, the natural sights of the tourist region Sofia - Ihtiman - Svoge are at tractive with their promise for total relaxation among picturesque landscapes. Caves, eco trails, water falls, rock formations and rushing rivers of fer nature lovers an inexhaustible source of recreation enter tainment. Vitosha mountain is a traditional zone for the relaxation of residents and guests of the Bulgarian capital alike. The convenient transport connections make outings in nature accessible for a wide spectrum of tourists . Interesting locations are the two reserves Bistrishko Branishte and Tor feno Branishte - par t of the Vitosha Natural Park , the longest cave in Bulgaria - Duhlata, the Boyana water fall, the Dendrarium, many marked hiking trails, the ski zones Aleko and Konyarnika-Vetrovala and many others. Hikes in nature may be conveniently combined with a visit to historical locations. Here lay the Dragalevtsi monastery Sveta Bogoroditsa Vitoshka, the Kladnitsa monastery Sveti Nikolai Mirkili isk i Chudotvorets and the Boyana church Sv. Sv. Nikola i Panteleimon. The nearby located mountains Lyulin, Lozen and Plana, despite being signif icantly smaller than Vitosha, of fer more and interesting fun in nature. In their case, the benefit is in the fact that they can be hiked in a day. Eledzhik peak in the Ihtiman Sredna Gora region is in the

NATURAL INSPIRATION

2120

- Svoge of fers excellent oppor tunities for ex treme bik ing adventures . Other options for adrenaline are motor sled and buggy r ides, of f- road photo safar is , horseback tourism, etc. The not-so-dynamic spor ts lovers can also enjoy the pure bliss of golf on two world-class courses in close proximit y to the capital . Air Sof ia is in the town of Ihtiman and is the f irst golf course in Bulgaria . Opened in the year 2000, the course takes up an area of 432 decares . The golf complex also boasts a driving range, and put ting green. The St . Sof ia complex in the vil lage of Ravno Pole of fers its guests an 18-hole golf course, SPA facil i t ies and a football f ield. The guests of the three municipalit ies can make use of the many oppor tunities for f ishing and hunting in the region. Devoted hunters will enjoy the well -maintained hunting zones, shooting deer, fallow, wild boar, roe, wildcat , fox , rabbit , etc . The f ishing options are more than plentiful . The Iskar dam, Iskar r iver and the Pancharevo lake are among the most emblematic f ishing locations in the regions. Other, smaller, but not lesser, locations are German, Seslav tsi , Gorni Bogrov, Kazichene, the Toplolnitsa dam, etc. Active recreation needs active relaxation. SPA procedures and healing waters will take care of restoring the body and mind. Sof ia is famous for its healing mineral springs. In close proximit y is the renowned balneological resor t Bank ya, which has to of fer modern SPA centres, hotels and restaurants .

Active recreation in the boundaries of the Sof ia - Ihtiman - Svoge tourist region is by no way a mission impossible. On the contrar y - the region is abundant with at tractive suggestions for spor ts and ex treme experience lovers . The relief in the three municipalit ies is the per fect terrain for practising one’s rock climbing, paragliding, of f- road driving, mountain bik ing, bungee jumping, sk i ing and snowboarding, caving, raf t ing, kayaking and many others . The Lakatnik cli f fs are a gathering point for ardent mountaineers, a challenge for any height lover. For those who prefer to stay low, the turbulent waters of the Iskar r iver provide great oppor tunities for raf t ing and kayaking. The longest cave in Bulgaria - Duhlata - located in V itosha and the Temnata Dupka cave near Svoge are a real challenge for experienced cave explorers with their many galler ies and levels . The mountainous relief in the tourist region Sof ia - Ihtiman

CROSSROADS OF

ADVENTURE

2322

Sofia Airporttel.: +359 2 937 2211

Central Train Station Sofiatel.: +359 2 931 1111

Train station Svogetel.: +359 726 2310

Train station Ihtimantel.: +359 724 2070

Central Bus Station Sofiatel.: 0900 63 099

Bus Station Svogetel.: +359 726 3194

Bus Station Ihtimantel.: +359 724 2071

Emergency, Fire Dept, Police unified number 112

TOURIST

INFORMATION

Cultural-information centre, SofiaSofia, Tzar Osvoboditel 22 (in the subway in front of the Sofia University Sv. Kliment Ohridski)tel.+359 2 491 8344; +359 2 491 8345mobile.: +359 885 921 636e-mail: tourist@info-sofia.bgwww.info-sofia.bg; www.visitsofia.bg

National tourist information centre Sofia, Sv. Nedelya 1tel.: +359 2 933 5811; +359 2 933 5826mobile: +359 882 800 259; +359 882 800 270e-mail: e-docs@mee.government.bgwww.bulgariatravel.org

Bulgarian Tourist Union - information centreSofia, bul. Vasil Levski (in subway in front of Sports Palace)tel.: +359 2 980 1285 mobile: +359 882 966 319; +359 882 966 320e-mail: centerbts@btsbg.orgwww.info.btsbg.org

The exceptional pleasure of the proximity of one of the best sk i centres in the region gives Sof ia an advantage over numerous other global capitals , which cannot boast such a convenient and accessible way for snow lover fun. Convenient transpor t and several sit ting and one cable-car l i f t , all almost reaching the summit of the mountain, make sk iing or snowboarding for residents and guests of the capital quick and easy. Two sk i centres provide their ser vices to the ardent followers of winter spor ts . Aleko is the oldest sk i centre in Bulgaria . It is located at 1,800 metres above sea level . One of its slopes in the centre of fers nighttime sk iing as well . The second sk i centre Konyarnika-Vetrovala is located at 1,507 m above sea level and has one stationar y and two por table sk i l i f ts . The total length of V itosha mountain’s slopes is 29 Km, with 5 Km the longest slope and a maximum altitude change of 780 m. Enjoying the r ide is not only for sk iers and snowboarders with experience, but even for the true beginners who can make use of one of the many sk i schools in the area.

SNOWY

EMOTIONS

N

S

EWCity/town

Village

Legend

Road

Municipal boundary

Sofia Centre

Georgi R

akovski str.

Knyaz Aleksander Dondukov blvd.

Tsar Osvoboditel blvd.

Evlogi and Hristo Georgiev blvd.

Vasil Levsk

i blvd.

Patriarh Evtimiy blvd.

Vito

sha

blvd

.

151622

1819

24

25

26

2728

Sofia

Ihtiman

Svoge

Druzhevo

Lakatnik

Isкrеts

Ogoya

Kremikovtsi

Dragalevtsi

Dolni Bogrov

Pancharevo

Lozen

Vakarel

Bozhurishte

Bankya

18

81

16

8

82

82

6

6

Е80

Е80

Е79

А6

А1

8

1

23

4

5

6

78

13

14

17

20

21 12

23

29

30

32

31

33

34

35 38

36

37

39

40

41

910

11