The red brick rotunda church of St. George is considered the oldest building in Sofia. It is situated behind Sheraton Hotel, amid remains of the ancient town of Serdica. Three layers of frescoes have been discovered, the earliest dating back to the 10th century. Magnificent frescoes of 22 prophets over 2 meters tall crown the dome. At present church is a museum, open Tue - Sat 10.30am - 1pm, 3pm-5.30pm.

If St George is the oldest church, then St.Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia. Many legends surround its history, but it was actually built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian between 527-565. In the 14th century the church gave its name to the city. During the Turkish rule minarets were added and the church functioned as a mosque until two earthquakes in the 19th century destroyed one of the minarets and the mosque was abandoned. Restoration work was begun after 1900. The present building is a cross basilica with three altars.

The magnificent St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church, built to the designs of architect Pomerantsev from 1904 to 1912, is one of the finest pieces of 20th century architecture in Sofia. The interior is just as splendid in materials and craftsmanship: Italian marble, Brazilian onyx, African alabaster, frescoes and woodcarvings by the best Bulgarian and Russian artists.

The underground crypt has an impressive collection of icons. The exposition opened in 1964 and features icons from across Bulgaria that are among the 9th to 18th century masterpieces in the Balkans.

The St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial-Church is an impressive five nave basilica of a cruciform domed type with basic Byzantine style elements, influenced in some parts by eastern models. From the pavement level to the tower cross, the height of the memorial-church is 50.52 m, that of the central dome 46.27m and of the roof bridge 28m. The main dome has a commanding position over a number of half-domes, rounded and straight on the apses of the church which lend it impressive stateliness. It is balanced by the lighter, soaring tower which gives the entire edifice the character of a monument.

On the eastern side of the church there are three altar apses, the central one of which, in comparison with the two lateral ones, projects and forms a semicircle. Over this apse, from a slightly receding point, rises the semi spherical part of the main body of the church. There are similar projections, one on the southern side and another on the northern. Over the semi domes of these projections, on a broad cylindrical drum rests the main dome in the shape of an inverted bowl. Its diameter measures 18 m.

On the western side of the main three-door vaulted entrance of the northern side, rises the bell tower which ends in a dome. The latter is placed on threefold columns, between which there are wide apertures. Through them one sees the twelve bells, the largest of which is weighs 11,758 kg, the second largest 6,002 kg, the third 2,911 kg and the smallest 10 kg. On a nice and calm day the ringing of the largest bell is heard as far as 30km fromSofia. Below the bells , high over the main entrance, is found the mosaic icon of St. Alexander Nevsky by the Bulgarian artist Professor Anton Mitov.

RILA –is arguably the most majestic Bulgarian Mountain, whose highest peak, Moussala, rises to 2,925 m. There are 219 high-mountain lakes, over 2,000 plant varieties and a rich animal world and it is the natural setting for Bulgaria's most famous monastery – Rila Monastery and the country's oldest winter resort of Borovets.

PIRIN – is the country’s second highest mountain, whose highest peak is Vihren at 2,914 m. There are 176 mountain lakes and about 100 varieties of rare plants, including the edelweiss and the famous fir, almost 1,300 years old. The famous spa resort of Sandanski and the newest Bulgarian ski centre of Bansko are to be found here.

THE RHODOPES are the greenest and most picturesque Bulgarian mountains, linked with the legend of the mythical singer Orpheus, and noted for the heady mixture of snow and sun, clean air and a mild climate. You will find original folklore and superb cuisine, as well as a warm welcome from the cordial and hospitable people. The largest ski resort is Pamporovo, For those of you who are interested in ecotourism, a visit to Momchilovtsi is highly recommended.

VITOSHA is the green mountain of the Bulgarian capital Sofia, and is the most visited Bulgarian mountain. It is attractive all the year round with two wildlife reserves and three climatic zones. Its highest peak is Cherni Vruh (2,286 in). The mountain area has varied flora and fauna, curative mineral springs and a rare natural phenomenon - eight Moraines. It is a popular mountain resort for winter holidays and skiing, and has modern hotels and ski facilities.

THE BALKAN RANGE (Stara Planina) is the biggest and longest mountain chain crossing the entire country,. Its highest peak is Botev (2,376 m). The 700 km long mountain ridge is ideal for hiking tours, and the steep rocks and cave system attract tourists, mountaineers and speleologists. The picturesque heritage sites of Kotel, Zheravna, Tryavna, Arbanassi, Bozhentsi and Etura are well worth a visit.

The SREDNA GORA mountains are situated in the central part of Bulgaria, between the Balkan Range and the Thrace plain. The highest peak is Mt. Bogdan, 1604 m. The Sredna Gora Mountains give rise to the rivers Topolnitsa, Luda Yana, Pyasuchnik, etc. The mountains are famous for the mineral springs and baths at Hisarya and Pavel Banya as well as the picturesque areas of Strelcha, Krasnovo, Banya, and Stara Zagora.

The newest Bulgarian winter resort, recently discovered by the foreign tourists provides an interesting contrast between the Pirin Mountain on the one hand and the atmosphere of the ancient Bulgarian town on the other. Bansko is situated in South western Bulgaria, at the foothills of one of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains. Pirin, which is a national park ,is included in the WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE list; and is as much visited in summer as a starting point for excursions in the mountain, as it is in the winter. Surrounded by the mountains of Rhodope, Pirin and Rila, Bansko is a mountain resort with a short hot summer and long mild winter. The average temperature during January, the coldest month, is - 1.9ºC. Snow falls are abundant, providing a constant winter snow cover up to 2 m thick. The skiing season along the Pirin slopes starts in the middle of December and ends in mid-April.

Borovetz is the oldest mountain resort where skiers can experience the thrills of the "white sport" in winter, and hikers enjoy the green freshness of the mountains in summer. Situated at 1350 m above sea level on the northern slopes of Rila Mountain among age old pine woods, Borovets is located at the foot of peak MOUSALA (2925 m) - the highest one on Balkan Peninsula and is easily accessible, being at a distance of 73 km. from Sofia and 126 km. from Plovdiv. The town of Samokov is only 10 km. down the road from the resort.