Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe, though it still remains
relatively undiscovered as a destination. Its urban fabric comprises an
immense range of architec-tural cultures, with structures by the ancient
Thracians, the Romans, the Byzantines, as well as works from the
Bulgarian medieval era, the Ottoman Empire, and modern Bulgarian times,
including the peculiar period of communist historicism and modernism.
This book presents the city and its capacity to produce a unique
archi-tectural experience by tracing its specific geography and
dissecting its historical layers. Sofia is not defined by any pure
styles; it re-mixes various influences into an amalgamation, typical of
peripheral cultures, creating an authenticity and uniqueness.
Architectural Guide Sofia catalogs not only historical monuments and
conspicuous sites, overlooked by standard tourist guides, but also the
most recent buildings in the city, outlining the experimental works by
the contemporary generation of architects. It profiles over 200 selected
buildings from different historical periods and includes several
articles exploring the genesis of the local architectures as well as an
essay on specific architectural details born out of clashes of various
stylistic influences. Over 15 maps and 700 illustrations in colour,
coupled with an extensive bibliography, will help the reader and
traveler experience Sofia as part of a true architectural adventure.
