MAF Sofia
Most beautiful building in Sofia
You will not find the building of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food on any tourist map of Sofia. There's a good reason for that - in order to see it from the inside, you either have to work there or be part of any visiting delegation. Also, it's a bit out of the main tourist walks.
Shame, though, because it's one of the best examples of the development of the city in the end of XIX and beginning of XX century. Foreign architects and their mostly foreign-educated Bulgarian counterparts had to turn a small Ottoman town into a grand capital with an European feel and look.
Interestingly enough, the Bulgarian architect Nikolay Lazarov won both the first and the second prize in the international design competition. Following his ideas, the grand structure with two majestic towers and a clock combines numerous architectural styles and elements, including baroque and Art Nouveau (a.k.a. secession). Not hard to explain given that Lazarov graduated in France.
Finished in 1927, the building was necessary for the purposes of the regional administration which it housed till 1944. After the change of power in Bulgaria, the agriculture ministry moved there and has been there ever since.
At some point Sofia municipality decided they want to move in and switch buildings with the ministry but the idea was discarded as too expensive. When he was still Sofia's mayor, the former prime minister Boyko Borissov himself wanted local officials to use what he described as 'the most beautiful building in Sofia'.
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Free Sofia Tour
The best intro to the city
It's been the same spot for 13 years now. Palace of Justice, next to the lion on the corner. Rain or shine, tour guides are there, you just have to show up.
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Best croissants in town
A Belgian bakery with an Italian name in the heart of the Bulgarian capital. Yet another example of how Sofia is getting more and more cosmopolitan.
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The true pâtisserie
Honestly, the shop looks more like a lab. Clean, minimalist, and luxurious. You can order whole cakes for special occasions or choose a treat from the beautifully-arranged showcase.
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King of burgers
"Skaptoburger" is located in the heart of Sofia and won the King of Burgers award for 2016. This restaurant, its monthly offers, some ale... what more?
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Antep Baklava
Bites of heaven!
"Antep Baklava" in Sofia is a small pastry shop that makes the best baklava and other Turkish desserts in the city! You have to try the Shobiet...
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Gifted
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"Gifted" in Sofia is a shop that aims to bring together artists and offer unique souvenirs and gifts that go beyond the ordinary. It keeps surprising me!
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Boyana church
A UNESCO world heritage site
"Boyana Church" in Sofia is one of my favorite temples in the city. It's a UNESCO heritage gem of a site from the 11th century, next to giant sequoias...
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Chucky's
Coffee culture
"Chucky's" is the place for you if you know the differences between your macchiato, flat white and chemex. I like their two 'gossip chairs'...
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65 Svetulki
Trendy place for a drink
"65 Svetulki" in central Sofia is a bar rapidly becoming a favorite destination for locals. What I love is its terrace and alternative bohemian design...
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