Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Taking a stroll in a neighbourhood of the capital city dubbed the Sofia Montmartre

The building of Sofia's Central Baths
Photo: library

The architecture of the capital of Bulgaria Sofia has undergone multiple changes since the city was declared the administrative and cultural hub, and the centre of public life in Bulgaria in 1879.

Despite the relentless passage of time and the changes it has brought, the city has kept its spirit intact, as it has its stories and some of the homes, which once belonged to the city’s elite, in two of Sofia’s neighbourhoods – behind the building of the Central mineral baths and in Lozenets, dubbed the Sofia Montmartre, after the artists quarter of Paris.

Lozenets gained popularity for its bohemian life as far back as 1921. Things have not changed much to this day, and the land there is still very expensive. However, in Lozenets proper, property doesn’t have a price tag, not so much because of the location as because of the people who once inhabited the quarter. Taking a stroll in its quiet, leafy streets is like travelling back in time to the years when there lived here people who have shaped the development of the country. One of them is writer Elin Pelin and the founder and first director of the Bulgarian National Radio Sirak Skitnik, as well as actor Krastyo Sarafov. Their homes were designed by some of Bulgaria’s foremost architects – Georgi Ovcharov and Yordan Milanov. Carved balconies, stone reliefs, beautiful gables live side by side with neat little gardens to this day.

One such home here is the house that once belonged to a popular Bulgarian actress - Adriana Budevska. Now a culture hub hosting exhibitions, literary readings and chamber concerts, the house has cherished the memory of the woman who lived in it. Adriana Budevska died there at the age of 70 having lived a full life, rising to fame and fortune, and then falling into almost complete oblivion, followed by public acknowledgement of her talent at the very end of her life. 

Compiled by Yoan Kolev



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

On the eve of Midsummer's Day “the sky opens”

Midsummer's Day or Enyovden in Bulgaria is always celebrated on June 24, when the church honors the birth of St. John the Baptist. Folklore traditions are associated with the day of the summer solstice, when the sun "twinkles" and "plays" at..

published on 6/23/23 6:43 PM
Nedyalka Keranova

Remembering folk singer Nedyalka Keranova

April 24 marked the 82 nd anniversary since the birth of Nedyalka Keranova- one of the most remarkable voices of Bulgarian folklore, who passed away in 1966 at the age of 55. Our listener and friend Noris Balabanyan who lives in the USA and whose..

published on 5/8/23 5:05 AM

Remembering Petar Stupel with the song Late Meetings

Today we mark the 100th birth anniversary of composer Petar Stupel . He was born on April 27, 1923 in Sofia, in the family of professional musicians. Petar Stupel studied at the State Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov", majoring in Piano under..

published on 4/27/23 6:05 AM