Sofia City Center

We have decided that Gru from Despicable Me is from Bulgaria. His accent, nose, and coloring are exactly Bulgarians in Sofia. The people here are dark haired, light skinned and about half have bright green eyes. The other half have dark brown eyes. They seem to have a rough exterior but are very kind and light hearted when one tries to engage in conversation.

"You, Meester nice. I gif 20 lev. You becuss Meester Nice," she said with almost unintelligible English. She was the cutest little squinty eyed lady wearing a happy coy smile. Her sun-wrinkled skin and a hunched shoulders suggested many days working a field. She was wearing a full patchwork fur coat. It was probably hand made and had a large rip down the side under her arm. I was happy to purchase a curved 9 inch long hand made wood and porcelain tobacco pipe and a wooden children's toy from her.

Saint George's Rotunda from the 4th century. It is still somewhat functional.

The church of Saint Sofia. This is the church the city is named after. The church is named after Saint Sofia, a martyr. This church is from the 6th century and is still fully functional and busy. It was one of three Hagia Sofia churches commissioned by Emperor Justinian. The other two are in Thessalonica and Constantinople.

Saint Aleksander Nevski Cathedral built in the early 1900's. 

Archaeology from ancient Serdica from Sofia's city center. There was a public tunnel under the streets that took us to the ruins.

More archaeology from the city center.

East Gate of Serdica. These ruins were just discovered in the last decade when the city was building a new subway system.

This restaurant was located on a narrow cobblestone street. The place we were looking for late the night before and could not find, recommended as the number one authentic Bulgarian cuisine from Lonely Plant Travel Guide. It was well worth a second attempt, before sunset.

Inside the restaurant. The pavilion was covered and surrounded but semi-outdoors. There were large wood stoves just behind us. Each table had blankets to wrap up in for extra warmth. The food was amazing, and so was the ancient interior of the building.