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1. SOFIA
A Different Experience
By Travelbystander.com

2. SOFIA

3. Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria, and is a fascinating
city. It might not be as visually appealing as a lot of
other Eastern and Central European capitals, but it is
home to some attractive Neo-Classical and Vienna
Secession buildings.
Five miles from Sofia’s centre Boyana, a little historic
village on the outskirts of Vitosha The village’s name
first appeared in the 11th century Vision of Daniel
text, and is also connected with Peter Delyan’s 1040
Bulgarian uprising against Byzantine rule, as well as
with the 1048 invasion by the semi nomadic
Pecheneg people.
Boyana’s residents consist, on the whole, of
prosperous businessmen, government officials and
other leading members of Bulgarian society. The
village also enjoys the backdrop of the stunning
snow-capped Vitosha mountains.

4. Boyana is home to a magnificent church, dating
back to the 10th century, that is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. It is now deconsecrated and, in order
to preserve the valuable frescoes adorning its inner
walls, only eight people are permitted to enter at
any one time.
Besides the church, Boyana’s other attractions
include the National History Museum with its
permanent collection of Paleolithic, Neolithic,
Chalcolithic, Bronze age, Iron Age and Roman Age
treasures, amounting to approximately 650,000 items
in total, including jewellery, weapons, pectorals and
other adornments and embroideries, together with
everyday textiles and traditional clothes from many
historical eras.