Local traditions and culture in Sofia

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The Bulgarian language belongs to the Slavic linguistic group and is written in the Cyrillic alphabet. So if you can't read Cyrillic letters it will probably be a bit difficult to navigate through the city.

Almost all street signs as well as information about transport at bus stops or at the train station are in Bulgarian only.

As good news, the restaurants we visited had an English menu available. Nevertheless, I think it is definitely helpful if you can read Cyrillic letters when travelling through Bulgaria.

The statue of Popa is a very popular meeting point of the people in Sofia. So it comes at no surprise that it was also our meeting point for the VT meeting.

Popa means priest. And the priest is Patriarch Euthymius, a church leader that was captured in 1393 by the Ottoman Turks.

You will find Popa at the corner of ul. Graf Ignatiev and bul. Patriarh Evtimiy.

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Aside from its strategic location in the valley between the Balkans and the Plana-Zavala Mountains probably the main reason why the city of Sofia became a city in the first place is the abundance of natural potable spring water. This made the area especially attractive to the Romans who, as we all know, were particularly fond of their baths and hence was the ideal location for them to build their substantial garrison town thus providing the initial foundations and infrastructure for what became, over the centuries following the Roman retreat, the city as it now stands.

The mineral springs still have their role in the day-to-day life of the local populus and there are now several outlets around the city where the waters are freely available which the locals and visitors take full advantage of.

The pic here is from the outlet in the city centre which is constantly busy with people variously just popping by to have a sip and a splash, filling their 20 litre water bottles and everything in between.

Waitress usually keep the change rounding at the higer integer leva. This is a bit unplesant use that occur to me three times in two days, so that I assumed it is a local custom.

To all the Bulgarian friends reading: suggest your co-citizens to stop this! I reckon that such handsome waitress would get even higher tips, allowing people to decide by themselves.
For VT'ers do not get pissed off if waitress wouldn't give your change, it is typical in Sofia.

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There is a common place where the local people arrange to meet each other. It is called informally 'Popa' named after the monument there.
Location: the crossroad of the streets Graf Ignatiev, Partriarh Evtimij and Vassil Levski

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This is one of the Bulgarian customs: in March we give Marteniza to our friends and to the family members to wish them health and happiness.
Once you receive a Marteniza you should wear it until you see a stork or until the spring comes. Since there are not many storks in the cities you may see Martenza on the trees.

1 April is BIG! We call it the Day of the Lie, even tough officially it's the Internation Day of Humour and Satire. We do mean the business - you have to fool at least one person. It's very common, so be on guard and don't get offended at pranks.

Many people come to the Russian Church to pray to Bulgarian Bishop Serafim (1881-1950), buried in the crypt and regarded by many as a saint. People write messages and wishes for miracles on the sheets of paper and drop them in a box near the Bishop's white marble sarcophagus.