University

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski

Name: Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
Address: 15 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel", Sofia, Sofia City Province, BG

99 locals recommend,

Tips from locals

Julian

June 19, 2022

Founded on 1 October 1888, the edifice of the university was constructed between 1924 and 1934 with the financial support of the brothers Evlogi Georgiev and Hristo Georgiev (whose sculptures are now featured on its façade) and has an area of 18,624 m² and a total of 324 premises. The university has 16 faculties and three departments, where over 21,000 students receive their education. It has been consistently ranked as the top university in Bulgaria according to national and international rankings, being constantly among the best four percent of world universities.

Boyko

May 18, 2022

1 Say hello to our rather sexy Sophia Towering above the intersection of Maria Louisa Blvd and Todor Alexandrov Blvd in the commercial heart of the city, Sophia was erected in 2001 – not without some controversy – replacing Lenin’s monument, which was removed from the same spot at the time of the democratic changes. Sophia was considered too erotic and pagan to be referred to as St. Sophia. Eight metres in height, the copper and bronze statue by the sculptor Georgi Chapkanov, stands on a 16 metre high pedestal. Adorned with the symbols of power (crown), fame (wreath) and wisdom (owl), the crown is also a reference to the Goddess of Fate – Tjuhe, inspired by the old emblem of Sofia dating back to 1900. QC-3, Intersection of bul. Todor Alexandrov and bul. Maria Luisa, MSerdika. 2 Visit the Golden Domes of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Named after St. Alexander Nevski, a Russian Tsar who saved Russia from invading Swedish troops in 1240 and the patron saint of Tsar Alexander II, who was also referred to as Bulgaria’s Tsar Osvoboditel (Liberator), since it was his troops that finally brought about Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule. The foundation stone of Sofia’s biggest church was laid in 1882. Built between 1904-1912 in the Neo Byzantine style, typical for Russian churches in the 19th century, the cathedral is 76 metres long and 53 metres wide and is said to hold up to 7000 people. It covers an area of 2600 square metres. The belfry is 52 metres high and houses 12 bells. Some of Russia and Bulgaria’s best artists of the time worked on the interior with its five aisles and three altars. Sienna and Carrera marble in the entrance area, stained glass windows, Venetian mosaics and dramatic murals such as The Lord God Sabbath in the main cupola, and The Day of Judgement above the exit, onyx and alabaster columns on the thrones all add to the richness of the interior without making it in any way gaudy. The spectacular external golden domes were covered in gold leaf, donated by Russia in 1960 and have recently been regilded.The Russian architect A.N.Pomerantsev is also the architect of the famous GUM (State Department Store) in Moscow. Find time to visit the crypt under the cathedral with its fascinating collection of icons.QC-4, pl. Alexander Nevsky, MSofiyski Universitet. J 3 Pay your respects at the monument of the Unkown SoLdier On the southern side of Sveta Sofia church watched over by a majestic bronze lion, there is a granite tomb, containing the bones of soldiers who died for their fatherland. The tombstone behind the eternal flame is said to have been brought from the Shipka Peak and bears an inscription from Ivan Vazov’s famous poem: “It was for you Bulgaria they perished, For you alone this sacrifice they made, To you their motherland they were a credit”.QC-4, Alexander Nevsky Square. 4 Catch a wedding or baptism at St. Nedelya Church Built at the end of the 19th century, this church is the direct successor of several smaller churches from medieval times and is said to lie directly above the crossroads of ancient Serdica. In 1925 it was largely destroyed in a bomb blast assassination attempt on Tsar Boris III in which over 200 people were killed, although the intended victim was spared. The beautifully preserved wood carved iconostasis dates back to 1865; the murals were added as late as 1976. A popular choice by locals for weddings.QC-3, pl. Sveta Nedelya, MSerdika. 5 Explore the old necropolis below St. Sophia Church The oldest Eastern Orthodox Church in Sofia reopened to the public in 1999 after major restoration and renovation works, and once again plays an important role in the day to day rituals of Sofianites. It is in fact this church, built at the highest point in Sofia, that gave its name to the presentday capital back in the 14th century. The simple red brick church dates back to the 6th/7th century when it was the site of Serdica’s necropolis. Beneath it lie several earlier churches dating back to the early 4th century. You can now visit some of the remains of the ancient buildings and tombs that lie under the church as part of a brand new fascinating museum opened to the public in May 2013. During the Ottoman yoke it was turned into a mosque, but after an earthquake in 1818 toppled the minaret and another some 40 years later killed the Imam’s two sons, it was abandoned and restored as a church after the Liberation. Thisis a very popular church for weddings and christenings. QC-4, ul. Parizh 2, MSofiyski Universitet. Open 09:00 – 17:00, Necropolis Museum. Admission to Necropolis Museum: 6 leva for adults, 2 leva for concessions. J 6 Watch or join the local skateboarders by the Soviet Army Monument From time to time talk turns to the fate of this tall monument, crowned with an 8-metre high sculpture and bronze figurative compositions around the base dedicated to the Soviet troops who entered Bulgaria at the end of WWII. Usually someone calling themselves a defender of democracy calls for it to be pulled down or proposes a referendum on its fate and then it is all forgotten as the Russian Embassy responds that Bulgaria is not at liberty to do so. For a while it was covered in graffiti but it seems that it has found its niche in the city landscape and will stay overlooking the skateboard and cycling area in the park.QD-5, bul. Tsarigradsko Shosse, in the Borissova Gradina Park.7 Admire Bulgaria’s ancient Gold Treasures at the Archaeological Museum The oldest museum in Bulgaria, the museum of the archaeological institute has been in its present location, the ‘Bujuk (Big) Mosque’, since 1899. The mosque itself dates back to the end of the 15th century. It recently underwent major restoration, reopening in 2000 and is without a doubt one of the most charming and interesting museums in Sofia. The setting in the white, airy 9-domed former mosque is ideal for displaying the country’s ancient treasures. Its collection includes treasures, coins and prehistorical monuments from Bulgarian soil through Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Well-displayed with Bulgarian and English captions. The highlights include the Valchitran gold treasure from the 14th century BC and the original floor mosaic from St. Sofia Church.QC-3, ul. Saborna 2, MSerdika/Sofiyski Universitet, www.naim.bg. Open 10:00 – 18:00. Closed Mon. 2 – 10 leva. 8 Intrigued by the history of Icon Painting? Visit Alexander Nevsky Crypt Museum The cool and silent crypt below the cathedral provides an imposing home for the Old Bulgarian Art Collection of the National Gallery, depicting Orthodox Church Art from its origins in the 4th century through to the 19th century National Revival period. The focus is predominantly on icon painting with some 300 permanent exhibits, including an altar cross and a pair of altar doors from the Rila monastery. QC-4, pl. Alexander Nevsky, MSofiyski Universitet. Open 10:00 – 17:30. Closed Mon. 3 – 6 leva. J 9 Art under Socialism tells its own story at the Museum of Socialist Art New museum showcasing art from the Socialist period (1944-1989). A large outdoor sculpture park has everything from the giant statue of Lenin that once stood in the centre of the city to the red star that topped the Socialist party headquarters. Smaller pieces reveal a gentler side to the Socialist ideals. The gallery inside has some excellent examples of 20th century modern art as well as the Socialist Realism genre we know from the period. A souvenir shop has good quality T-shirts, mugs and a few books. At present a catalogue is not available. Somewhat off the beaten track, visitors will have to get the metro to Joliot Curie or G.M.Dimitrov stations and walk 300 or 400 metres down the hill.QG-6, ul. Lachezar Stanev 7, MJoliot Curie/G.M.Dimitrov. Open 10:00 – 17:30. Closed Mon. Admission 6 leva; children, students, pensioners 3 leva; disabled, press and art students free of charge. 10 Travel to the suburbs and visit the former residence of the Communist leader Todor Zhivkov, now home to the National History Museum 22,000 exhibits show the development of social, cultural and political life on Bulgarian soil. From the first prehistoric settlements through to the National Revival period and the Bulgarian State 1878 – 1945; covering the Greeks, Romans, First Bulgarian Kingdom in the Middle Ages and the Byzantines. Among the most spectacular exhibits are the unique gold treasures from Panagyurishte andthe Thracian silver from Rogozen as well as silver and bronze jewellery from the Bronze Age. In the splendid main hall on the first floor, with its full height glass windows opening onto Vitosha mountain, visitors can see the development of the Bulgarian alphabet and early Bulgarian Christian art. A recent addition to the costume collection includes the wedding dress worn by Princess Kalina, daughter of Simeon Saxe Coburg Gotha. Located in the outskirts of Sofia in the upmarket Boyana district, the museum cannot be reached on foot. Take the number 63 or 111 buses, the number 2 trolley bus or a taxi.Qul. Vitoshko Lale 16, Okolovrustno Shosse, Boyana District, tel. (+359) 2 955 42 80/(+359) 2 955 76 04, www. historymuseum.org. Open 9:30 – 18:00. The Box Office closes at 17:15. Adult – 10 leva; School and University student – 1 lev; Adult accompanied by children – 3 leva and for a child of 7 and over – 1 lev. Free admission last Monday of the month.

Boris

February 6, 2019

Metro station with direct connection to the airport

Team

February 26, 2018

The University of Sofia "St. Kliment Ohridski" is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria. Founded on 1 October 1888, the edifice of the university was constructed between 1924 and 1934 with the financial support of the brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgiev (whose sculptures are now featured on its façade) and has an area of 18,624 m² and a total of 324 premises. The university has 16 faculties and three departments, where over 21,000 students receive their education. It has been consistently ranked as the top university in Bulgaria according to national and international rankings—it is constantly among the best four percent of world universities

Ivailo

March 19, 2017

The University was founded in 1888 and was originally named after the brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgiev who donated the land and funds for the construction of a university building. Their statues are seated outside the main entrance. The international design competition was originally won by Henri Breansson in 1907, his designs were however later modified by Yordan Milanov. The foundation stone having been laid in 1920, construction didn’t start till 1941 and new wings designed by L.Konstantinov were completed as late as 1985. There is a very pleasant courtyard with a couple of of outdoor cafes where you can soak up the academic atmosphere.

Unique things to do nearby

Sofia Communist Tour

Wines & cheese tasting from Bulgaria

Sofia Pub Crawl

Location

15 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"

Sofia, Sofia City Province

Sofia Center

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