WHAT'S ON IN THE SURROUNDING AREA

Multiplex Arena Cinema Complex

With its 16500 sq meters the Arena Complex is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. It accommodates fifteen cinema screens for more than 3,000 people, the largest of which has 490 seats. Being the only LucasFilm certificated cinema in the Balkans, the Arena is a natural choice for those who enjoy visual and sound effects.

Vitosha Mountain

A Skiing Paradise…  A Few Minutes From Sofia

  

There is a unique natural phenomenon called '"stone rivers'" (moreni) - piles of huge rounded granite stones along many of the river valleys, reaching up to 2km in length and 50m in width.

The mountain is very rich of water resources – numerous are the streams and the springs, that give the beginning of rivers.

Up-to-date the territory of the Park is 26 606,6 ha, 24 078,6 ha of them are forest funds. In 1977 the general director of UNESCO proclaimed the reserve for a biosphere - park.

Pancharevo Lake

Pancharevo Lake is located about 15km south of Sofia on the way to Borovets resort in Rila Mountain. Pancharevo Lake is perfect place for outgoings. The lake is suitable for different water sports: rowing, surfing, water skiing. Paddle boats can be hired. Around the lake there are hiking trails, several grassy park areas with cafes and restaurants, and some hot mineral springs. The incredible nature of this place will capture you and will make your recreation unforgettable. There are new possibilities for balneology tourism along the Pancharevo Lake.

Dagalevski Monastery

 Dragalevski monastery is situated at the foot of Vitosha mountain. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the outskirts of Sofia, established during the reign of Ivan Alexander (1331-1371). It is a complex of a church, residential and farm buildings. It was destroyed in 1382 when the Ottomans seized Sofia and was restored during the second half of the 15 th century and became a centre of literature and education.  In 1932 at the north side of the church was built a new bigger one called “St. Mina”.

During the 17 th century a monastic school was established there. It was often visited by the apostle of liberty Vasil Levski.
The monastery is a cultural monument.

Boyana Church

The architecture of Boyana Church dates from late 10th and early 11th century. It's the eastern part of the current building, which also sees additions from mid-13th century and mid-19th century.

The church owes its world fame to the frescoes from 1259. In all, there are 240 depictions on the walls. Its painter is still anonymous, but stands for the team that decorated the church and that was trained in the studios of the Turnove Art School.

A total of 18 scenes in the narthex depict the Life of St. Nicholas. The painter here drew certain aspects of contemporary lifestyle. In The Miracle at Sea the ship and the sailor's hats recall the Venetian fleet. Also most interesting are the full-size paintings of the donors, Kaloyan and Dessilsava, and of the Bulgarian King Konstantin Assen Tih and Queen Irina. Kaloyan holds a model of the church and presents it to St. Nicholas.

Boyana Church was added to Unesco’s World Heritage List in 1979.

Zlatni Mostove

Vitosha Mountain is famous for its rock formations, some of which have volcanic origin and others formed as a result of climate changes. The most popular formation is the stone rivers, or "moreni" at Zlatnite Mostove (The Golden Bridges) - a unique natural phenomenon are the so-called "stone rivers" (moreni) - piles of huge rounded granite stones on many of the river valleys reaching up to 2 km in length and 50 m in width. Especially expressive and beautiful are the "Moreni" in the area of Golden bridges (Zlatnite mostove).

Boyana Waterfall

Boyana Waterfall is a waterfall on the Boyana River in Vitosha Mountain and is situated at an altitude of 1260 m near the huts of Momina Skala and Esperanto. It is about 15 m high and is especially beautiful in spring when the snows are melting.