Moderna Sofija / The Modern City of Sofia

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Raste, ali ne stari - rečenica koju će svaki Bugarin rado izgovoriti kada se spomene Sofija. Tokom svoje duge istorije imala je više imena: Serdika, Triadika i Sredets. Današnji naziv dobila je u 14. veku po jednoj od najstarijih crkava, Crkvi Svete Sofije.

Crkva Aleksandra Nevskog

Najbolji način da se proslavi dolazak proleća i lepih dana jesu putovanja. Ovog puta moja kratka poseta je usledila prestonici Bugarske. Sofija se smatra jednim od najstarijih gradova u Evropi. Osnovana je još pre 7000 hiljada godina u podnožju planine Vitoše. Rano jutro sam započela obilaskom jedne od najvećih pravoslavnih crkava na svetu, Crkve Aleksandra Nevskog. Njena veličanstvenost je sagrađena u slavu jednom ruskom vojniku koji je oslobodio državu od otomanske vlasti. Kratko sam se zadržala na ovom mestu, jer su bile pripreme za veliki moto skup na koji je trebalo da dođe oko 3000 motorista. 

Statua lava ispred Crkve Svete Sofije

Crkva Svetog Đorđa

Interesantno je da se u samom srcu Sofije u jednom krugu nalaze crkva, sinagoga i džamija. Taj trougao čini Crkva Svetog Đorđa, najstarija građevina u Sofiji. Datira još iz 13. veka. Tu je i Crkva Svete Petke čiji se vrh nalazi ispod nivoa puta, što je meni bilo jako neobično. Vodič je objasnio kako su vremenom nicale nove zgrade, koje su je svojom masivnošću potpuno zaklonile. Crkva koja je od izuzetnog značaja i za našu naciju jeste Crkva Svete nedelje. U njoj se čuvaju mošti Svetog kralja Milutina, najvećeg ktitora iz dinastije Nemanjića.

Zgrada Predstavništva

Bugari pišu ćirilicom kao i mi. Međutim, oni svesrdno koriste svoje pismo promovišući ga među strancima. Tokom šetnje, trudila sam se da nađem neki natpis na engleskom, jedva sam uspela da pobrojim njih par. Nazivi kafića, prodavnica i javnih zgrada, sve je na ćirilici. Bilo mi je neobično da vidim Rajfajzen banku transkribovanu na bugarski.

Natpis ispred jedne prodavnice

Tradicionalni proizvodi

Moderna Sofija je izgrađena u vreme fašizma, način gradnje i izgled zgrada jako podseća na ruski stil gradnje. Sve zgrade su izuzetno dobro očuvane, kao i mnogobrojne statue koje se nalaze u centru grada. Idući glavnom šetališnom zonom, dugačkom skoro 1 km, naišla sam na statuu poznatog bugarskog književnika i putnika Aleka Konstantinova. Poznat je kao tvorac satiričkih feljtona o antiheroju Baj Ganjou. Njegova statua ponosno stoji tu i gleda na snežne vrhove Vitoše. Što se tiče gradskog prevoza, centrom grada se mogu videti jedino žuti taksiji i tramvaji, što me je podsetilo na Njujork. Autobuse gradskog prevoza sam videla tek na periferiji grada.

Statua Aleka Konstantinova

Statua kralju Samuilu

Za upoznavanje nekog novog grada, ako to želimo, dovoljan je i jedan vikend. Ovog puta sam se odlučila za Sofiju. O njoj sam malo toga znala, a ovo kratko putovanje me je osvežilo novim saznanjima. Prijatni ljudi, žuti taksiji koji jure centrom i kaldrmisani putevi prvo je što ćete zapaziti kad dođete u ovaj grad. I ne zaboravite da kupite neki kozmetički preparat od ruže, koja je bugarski nacionalni proizvod ili da probate tradicionalnu gibanicu sa čuvenim bugarskim belim sirom.

Trg ispred Crkve Svete nedelje

Svako putovanje nam ukazuje na nove smernice koje ranije nismo primećivali! Zato, putujte, otkrivajte neotkriveno i bogatite lični duh!

xoxo Andri

Growing up, but not getting older - the sentence every Bulgarian love to say when we mentione them the name Sofia. During its long history it had more names: Serdika, Triadika and Sredets. The current name was given in 14. century around one of the oldest churches, the Church of St. Sofia.

Alexandar Nevsky Cathedral

I travel to Bulgaria's capital this spring. Sofia is considered one of the oldest in Europe. Established before 7000 years ago at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain. Early morning I started a tour of one of the biggest Orthodox cathedrals in the world, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Its magnificence is built to honour the Russian soldier that liberated the country from the Ottoman Rule. I was briefly retained on this place, because they were preparing for a big motorcycle convention that is supposed to come by around 3000 motorists.

Statue of lion in front of the Saint Sofia Church

Church of St. George

It's interesting that in the very heart of Sofia in a round are church, synagogue and mosque. The triangle makes the Church of St. George, the oldest building in Sofia. Dates back to the 13th century. The top of the Church of St. Petka ans the Saddlers is on a lower level than the road, which was very unusual. A guide explained how they eventually established throughout the new building, which are more higher. A church that is of extreme importance for Serbian people is the St. Nedelya Church. In it are preserved the relics of the St. King Milutin, from the Nemanjic dynasty.

The Presidency building

Bulgarians use the Cyrillic Alphabet. However, they wholeheartedly use their letter, promoting it among strangers. During the walks, I tried to find any names in English, I barely managed to count the few of them. Cafes, shops and public buildings, all is written in Cyrillic. It is unusual to see Raiffeisen Bank transcripted in Bulgarian.

Sign in front of one store

Traditional products

                  Modern Sofia was built in the time of fascism, construction and layout of the building is very reminiscent of the Russian style. All the buildings are extremely well preserved, as well as the many statues that are located in the center of the city. In the walking zone, which is almost 1 km long, I came across a statue of the famous Bulgarian writer and traveler Aleko Konstantinov. In the city center can be seen only yellow taxis and trams, which reminds me of New York. I saw a city bus on the outskirts of the city.

The statue of Aleko Konstantinov

The statue of Bulgarian King Samuilo

If you get to know a new city, all it takes is one weekend. This time I decided to visit Sofia. I have little information about this city, but now I find out lots of interesting things about Sofia. Nice people, yellow taxi and yellow brick roads is the first thing you will notice when you arrive here. And don't forget to buy some beauty product of roses, which is Bulgaria's national product or to try traditional dish gibanica with the famous Bulgarian white cheese.

The square in front of the St. Nedelya Church

Wherever you travel, you always find out something new! So, travel, discover undiscovered and let's rich you personal spirit!

xoxo Andri