The Sofia province surrounds the capital city and provides a ring of mountain escapes for your road trip. Your primary destination is the world famous Rila Monastery which sits in a deep valley surrounded by the highest peaks. You can drive through the thick woods to reach the gates of this massive fortress like cloister. Inside the courtyard the walls are covered in thousands of colorful religious scenes and the golden altar shines in the dim light. It is the most visited site in the country and a powerful symbol of national identity.
Skirt the edge of the Vitosha mountain dome to find the Boyana Church which is hidden in a quiet grove of trees. This small stone building holds frescoes from twelve fifty nine that are famous for their realistic faces and vibrant colors. It is a rare chance to see medieval art that looks like it was painted only yesterday. You must park nearby and walk through the peaceful park to reach the church entrance. It is a small but incredibly rich piece of history that stays cool and quiet even in the summer.
The drive takes you further north into the Balkan mountains to find the Iskar Gorge where the river has cut a deep path through the rock. You can follow the winding road right next to the water and see the tall limestone cliffs rising on both sides. Stop at the Cherepish Monastery which is perched on the edge of the river and looks like it is part of the cliff itself. The views from the road are some of the best in the country for a scenic drive. This province is the perfect mountain belt that protects the history of the capital.
Sofia (province) highlights
- Iskar Gorge offers a scenic drive along a river that cuts through the massive Balkan mountains. Pull over at many spots to see the tall limestone cliffs and the green water below. Follow a road that remains popular for road trips because of the dramatic views.
- Rila Monastery stands as a world famous cloister in a deep forest with colorful murals and walls. Visit the heart of the local spirit at the foot of the highest peaks in the land. Walk to the small cave where the first monk once lived long ago in the woods.
- Botevgrad Tower reaches high as a stone clock tower in the middle of a quiet town square. View this classic landmark to see the local style of stone work from many centuries ago. Stop here for a quick break and a walk in the small and peaceful city center.
- Pravets Lake provides a large reservoir with a scenic mountain backdrop for a road trip break. Walk the path around the water and enjoy the view of the quiet hills and the clean air. Visit this modern and clean area which is popular for weekend trips from the capital.
- Koprivshtitsa Town exists as a museum city of bright red and blue houses from the revolution. Walk cobblestone streets and visit the homes of famous national heroes in the hills. Experience a place of great history where the houses are very well kept and colorful.
- Etropole Waterfall drops over a mossy rock wall near a monastery in a quiet and green valley. Follow the short path through the forest to see the water and the many small bridges. Stop at this peaceful place during a road trip to enjoy the shade of the tall trees.
- Gubesh Pass winds through the mountains with views of the rugged western peaks and the sky. Drive this high and quiet route to feel the fresh air and see for many miles. Enjoy the peace of a mountain road that offers a view of the whole local region.
- Saeva Dupka Cave offers a land of emerald green stones and huge halls with great music sound. Walk through the cold and dark tunnels to see the giant rock pillars with a guide. Visit this very impressive cave which is easy to reach from the main highway of the land.
- Zlatna Panega creates a turquoise river spring in a bright blue pool within a forest park. Follow the easy walk along the water to see a color that is truly unique in nature. Stop for a picnic by the river bank in a very peaceful and beautiful local spot.
- Sredi Nos Peak reaches a high point in the mountains with views of the capital valley and the peaks. Hike the quiet trails to see the wide landscape of the region from above the clouds. Look out over the entire Sofia valley on a clear day from the top of the mountain.
The local Four
History of Sofia (province)
Sofia Province is the Ring of the Balkan Range. It has been the strategic highway of the Balkans for 2,000 years, with the Via Militaris passing through its valleys. The province history is dominated by the Rila Monastery, the spiritual center of Bulgaria, and the Iskar Gorge, a 70 kilometer natural tunnel through the mountains that has served as a trade and military route since the Romans.
The town of Koprivshtitsa is the province historical crown jewel. In 1876, the first shot of the April Uprising was fired here from the Kalachev Bridge. The town is a perfectly preserved museum of the National Revival, with colorful merchant houses like the Oslekov House showing the wealth and taste of the Bulgarian elite before the liberation. It is one of the few places where you can see the 19th century world entirely intact.
For road trippers, the province offers the Etropole Waterfall and the Glozhen Monastery, which perches on a vertical cliff like a castle from a fantasy novel. You can drive the scenic mountain passes of Petrohan or Vitinya, explore the Saeva Dupka cave with its emerald green rock formations, or visit the historic clock tower in Botevgrad. It is a province of rugged peaks and revolutionary echoes that guard the approaches to the capital.