[2025 Sofia Attraction] Travel Guide for Monument to the Tsar Liberator (Updated Oct)

Bulgaria's capital, we find not only golden-domed cathedrals and wide, traffic-filled streets. We also find shadows of the past cast into monuments, standing like silent sentinels in the heart of the city. Iron Horses and the Rumble of War In the center of the main square is the Monument to the Tsar Liberator, a statue of the Russian Emperor Alexander II on horseback, rising against the sky. Beneath a carved stone base, cavalry charging into battle. Trivia: This monument honors Russia's role in liberating Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878—a moment of regaining independence after more than 500 years of domination. The Eyes of the Unyielding King Not far away stands a statue of Tsar Samuel, a 10th-century warrior king. His face is solemn, his bronze eyes reflecting the sunlight as if he were still staring ahead. Trivia: Samuel ruled Bulgaria during its struggle against the Byzantine Empire. Although ultimately defeated, his name remains a symbol of unyielding defiance. Thinker in the Shades of the Trees Amidst a tranquil garden, we find a bust of Georgi Kirkov, a socialist and revolutionary of the early 20th century. While not large, it reflects another path of struggle—the struggle of ideas. Trivia: Kirkov was a leading figure in Bulgarian socialism and played a role in pushing for workers' rights during the transition from empire to modernity. The City as an Open-Air Museum At night, the light reflecting on the monuments intensifies the horse, the iron, and the leader's gaze, as if the past still stands alongside the present. Sofia is thus not just a capital city, but also a living open-air museum. Every monument is a lesson—some tell stories of war, others of refusal to surrender, and others of ideological struggle. 👉 Walking through these monuments is not just about admiring art, but also about reading a page of history cast in stone and metal. #bulgaria #sofia

📍 Itinerary Overview Sofia may be one of Europe’s lesser-known capitals, but it packs a surprising amount into a single day — from Roman ruins and Orthodox cathedrals to hip cafés and green parks. It’s compact, walkable, and full of charm. 🚩 Sightseeing Route Start your day at the impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, then stroll to the nearby St. Sofia Church and the Russian Church. Head toward Serdika Station, where ancient Roman ruins lie beneath your feet. Continue past St. George Rotunda, explore Vitosha Boulevard for shops and lunch, then relax in Borisova Gradina Park or catch sunset views from the National Palace of Culture (NDK) area. 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions • Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – Sofia’s postcard image, with golden domes • St. George Rotunda – 4th-century church hidden in a courtyard • Roman Ruins of Serdika – Open-air remnants of ancient Sofia • Vitosha Boulevard – Lively pedestrian street with shops and cafés • Borisova Gradina Park – Peaceful green escape • National Palace of Culture (NDK) – Brutalist landmark with fountains and city views 🚇 Transportation The city center is very walkable, and most main sights are within 20 minutes of each other on foot. For longer distances, Sofia’s metro is clean, fast, and cheap. A single ride is around 1.60 BGN (less than €1). You can also use trams and buses — just validate your ticket after boarding. 📷 Photo Spots • Front steps of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral • Inside the courtyard with St. George Rotunda • Panoramic view from NDK area or rooftop bars • Roman ruins with trams passing in the background • Evening light on Vitosha Boulevard 🍜 Local Cuisine Try shopska salad, banitsa (savory pastry), kebapche (grilled meat), or tarator (cold yogurt soup — perfect in summer). Good places to eat include Hadjidraganov’s Houses for traditional vibes or Made in Home for a modern twist. 🏠 Accommodation If staying overnight, pick something near the center (around Serdika or Vitosha Boulevard) for easy access. Options range from affordable guesthouses to stylish boutique hotels. If you’re arriving/departing by train or bus, staying near the Central Station is convenient but less atmospheric. 💡 Tips • Most signs are in both Cyrillic and Latin, but learning a few letters helps • Many locals speak English, especially younger people • Carry some cash — card payment is not accepted everywhere • Taxis are cheap, but always check they use a meter or use apps like Yellow Taxi • Tap water is safe to drink 🔍 Quick Summary Sofia is a city of contrasts — grand cathedrals, Roman ruins, socialist architecture, and a youthful energy. It’s safe, relaxed, and easy to explore in a single day, offering an authentic experience far from the tourist crowds. Don’t be surprised if you leave wanting to come back.

Bulgaria is an often-overlooked Eastern European country, quietly located on the Black Sea coast of the Balkan Peninsula. Due to the special nature of its visa, almost no one applies for a visa to Bulgaria alone. Only those with a Schengen visa will visit Bulgaria while traveling in Southeast Europe, so there are very few Chinese tourists in Bulgaria. The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, is a tourist city with a very concentrated number of attractions. Various types of museums, art galleries, opera houses, and European-style government buildings are all concentrated in the city center, making it very suitable for tourists who like city walks. 🌈Presidential Palace: Next to the Sofia Balkan Hotel, with a daily guard change at noon. 🌈National Assembly and Ministerial Office Building (Figures 4–5): Across the street from the Presidential Palace. 🌈Ivan Vazov National Theater (Figures 6–7): The oldest theater in Bulgaria, with a long history and a neoclassical style, it is also a landmark building in Sofia. 🌈Sofia History Museum (Figures 1–2): Located in the Central Bath Square, built on the site of a Turkish bath, opposite the Banya Bashi Mosque. 🌈National Library (Figure 8): A landmark building in Sofia, with statues of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, the inventors of the Cyrillic alphabet, standing at the entrance. 🌈National Art Gallery (top of Figure 9): One of the national art galleries, formerly a royal palace, opposite the Sofia City Garden. 🌈Prime Minister's Office (bottom of Figure 9): The old parliament building, opposite the National Assembly Square. 🌈Monument to the Tsar Liberator (Figure 10): Located opposite the Prime Minister's Office, it is an equestrian statue of Russian Tsar Alexander II, commemorating Russia's victory in the Russo-Turkish War and helping Bulgaria gain liberation. 🌈National Gallery (Figure 11): Located opposite the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, it houses more than 42,000 art pieces, covering Bulgarian art from the mid-19th to the 20th century, European art from the 15th to the 19th century, and art exhibitions from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. 🌈National Palace of Culture (Figure 12): The largest multifunctional conference and exhibition center in Southeast Europe, the Sofia International Film Festival is held here every year.