Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Day 1
Airport pick-up service at Sofia Airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Dinner.
Day 1
Breakfast. A visit to the Presidency courtyard and the Rotunda St. George, which is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Sofia and the only one building in the city preserved up to the roof dated back to the Roman Empire. The tour passes along the Cathedral “St. Nedelya” – one of the spiritual beauties of the capital and a bearer of a centuries-old tradition.
The newly discovered Ancient complex “Serdika” is going to be visited afterwards. The greatest attraction is the main street of ancient town Serdika – named Dekumanus Maksimus, which authentic pavement is almost entirely preserved. Three underground levels form an outdoor underground museum that shows three separate neighborhoods. Under the glass dome, an art space is created for concerts and productions.
Next is a visit of the Church „St. Nikolay“, built in 1907 – 1914, designed by the Russian architect M. Preobrazhenski. In the crypt of the temple is the tomb of St. Seraphim Sobolev, who was officially canonized on 25 and 26 February 2016 by the Russian and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, considered as the symbol of the Bulgarian capital is going to be visited next. The Cathedral was built in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, whose army in 1878 liberates Bulgaria from the five centuries of Ottoman domination. Its construction began in 1904 and ended eight years later. The temple’s interior is unique and impresses with magnificent marble decoration and frescoes.
The next object to be visited is Boyana Church „St. Nicola and Panteleymon„, which is located at the foothills of Vitosha Mountain in Boyana district. It is one of the few medieval monuments of Christian art that have come to our day. The church is part of the 100 National Tourist Sites and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Departure to Rila Monastery.
Day 3
Breakfast. Visiting the Rila Monastery, another of the symbols of Bulgaria. Founded in the first half of the 10th century, its history is directly related to the first Bulgarian hermit, St. John of Rila. In 1983. The monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Hrelyova Tower, the church and the monastery buildings were declared a group architectural, artistic and historical complex of national importance in 1992. In the church is the coffin with the relics of the founder of the monastery St. John Rilski, the miraculous icon „St. Virgin Mary Osenovitsa „from the 12th century, the miraculous icon of St. John Rilski from the 18th century, as well as many iconostasis and icons. Since the end of the 19th century, a monument has been found in the Rila World Monument, which displays exhibits related to the monastery’s history over the centuries, the most precious of which is the wooden cross with a fine miniature carving made by Father Raphael.
Free time to see the monastery, walk around and worship. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 4
Breakfast. Departure to Plovdiv. Walking tour of the Old Town, familiarization with the main attractions. Visiting the church „St. Nedelya„, known as a monument of construction and art from the time of the Bulgarian Revival. Built at the beginning of the 18th century, at the time of the greatest constraints of the Ottoman authorities towards the religion of Christians. Most icons in the temple were painted by Zachary Zograf, Dimitar Hristov Zograf and his son Zafir, better known as Stanislav Dospevski. The iconostasis is a perfect work of Renaissance church carving with predominant plant ornaments. Viewing the house of Dimitar Georgiades, where is housed the exhibition „Bulgarian Revival“ at the Regional Museum of History in Plovdiv, built in 1848. in the popular 19th century architectural style of the Plovdiv symmetrical house, the building is a monument of culture of national importance. Examination of the building of the Regional Ethnographic Museum, which is housed in the Kuyumdzhiev house, built in 1847. By master Hadji Georgi. She is a typical representative of the Plovdiv symmetrical Revival house. The specialists define it as the peak of Baroque architecture in Bulgaria. Its owner is Argir Kuyumdjioglu – wealthy Plovdiv trader. The eastern façade of the house has „set foot“ on the old fortress wall and is an integral part of the ensemble of Hisar Kapiya.
Visiting the Ancient Theater – the symbol of ancient Philippopolis. Apart from being a cultural center, it has played an important role in the social and political life of the city and the Roman province of Thrace. Built during the reign of Emperor Trajan in the beginning of the 2nd century and revealed during archaeological excavations from 1968 to 1979. From the Archaeological Museum of Plovdiv, it is one of the best preserved ancient theaters in the world and the only antique theater building on the Bulgarian lands. Inscriptions and exquisite statues have been discovered, now included in the architecture of the building. Adapted to the contemporary cultural life of Plovdiv, there are various performances of about 5 000 spectators.
Departure to Asenovgrad. Visiting Assen’s Fortress, the most attractive and frequently visited tourist landmark around Asenovgrad. It is located on a rocky peak on the left bank of the Asenitsa River. Due to years of archeological research and excavations from the medieval fortress, the foundations of a feudal castle containing a complex of residential buildings, a home church of the fortress manager, two water reservoirs, a tower, all connected by stone stairs. Under the feudal castle is the so-called. A courtyard with the well preserved two-storey church „St. Virgin Mary Petrich“. Visiting the church „St. Virgin Mary – Annunciation“, also called the“ Fish „, the most remarkable Orthodox temple in Assenovgrad. An ancient belief is connected with the temple. Below the temple there is a chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist in front of the altar of which, in a crystalline spring, a man who had a genuine pure prayer to God can see three fish in confirmation that his request was heard. It is very interesting that a stone of Gladiator’s overhang is preserved on the altar with expressive scenes of battle from the time of the Roman rule on these lands.
Departure to Bachkovo Monastery. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 5
Breakfast. View of Bachkovo Monastery „Assumption“. It was founded in 1083 by the Georgian Grigory Bakuriani, who made a donation for his construction. For a long time the monastery was Georgian. This is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria. It holds one of the three miraculous icons that are on the territory of the country, that of the Virgin Mary of Wallachia. Free time to explore the complex and worship. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 6
Breakfast. Departure to Cross Forest. This is a place in the central part of the Rhodopi mountain near Krastov Peach (1413 m), which is named after. It is also known as the Rhodope Mountain for the monastery complex. It is known for its Christian sanctuary on Mount Cross, a Christian pilgrimage center with international fame. Particularly popular is when celebrating the Christian holiday „Krustvden“. On the same Rhodope peak, where the monastery complex is today, there once existed an old monastery destroyed centuries ago. That is why they tell the preserved walls, the stones processed, the foundations of the old church, the stones with traces of candles on them, and the crosses of the gods found in the earth. Free time to explore the complex and worship. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 7
Breakfast. Departure to Sofia. Transfer to Sofia Airport. Flight.
