[2025 Sofia Attraction] Travel Guide for Central Mosque of Sofia - Banya Bashi Mosque (Updated Jun)

Bulgaria is a treasure trove of travel destinations! Before I came, I thought the capital Sofia was nothing special. After a day of exploring, I completely changed my mind. There are so many museums and churches here, you will be amazed. And those cafes and restaurants hidden in the corners, any corner can bring you unexpected surprises💕 Sofia is perfect for a leisurely city walk🚶🏻‍♂️ The main attractions are within walking distance. A day trip is full and fun! ✨Sofia Day Trip ✅Central Mineral Baths (Sofia History Museum) The first stop is the Central Mineral Baths, which is now the Sofia History Museum, showcasing the history and culture of Sofia from the 6th century BC to the 1940s. It is well worth a visit. Next to it is the Banya Bashi Mosque, and it is also nice to admire the architecture from the outside👀 ✅St. Nedelya Church From the Central Mineral Baths, pass by the Church of St. Petka and then head to St. Nedelya Church.⛪️ The Church of St. Petka is built underground and is currently not open to the public, so you can only see the exterior. St. Nedelya Church was first built in the 10th century and has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. What we see now was built in the mid-19th century. ✅St. George Rotunda Then go to the nearby St. George Rotunda, which is the oldest monument in Sofia. After leaving the church, the Largo is not far away, and opposite is the Statue of Saint Sofia, which is a landmark of Sofia and a must-see. ✅National Archaeological Museum This is my favorite museum in Sofia, don't miss it! It used to be the largest mosque in Sofia, and the museum exhibits precious treasures such as gold and silver from the ancient Thracians. Walking inside, even the floor under your feet is full of ancient charm, as if you can touch the traces of history. ✅National Art Gallery: This was originally the west wing of the Bulgarian royal palace, and the building itself is a typical representative of modern and national revival art. The museum houses about 50,000 Bulgarian artworks and a large number of medieval paintings. The National Opera House is not far from the art gallery, and you can see the exterior. Next to it is the Church of St. Nicholas II, which you can also visit. ✅Alexander Nevsky Cathedral This church is also called the Golden Dome Church and is a landmark that cannot be missed in Sofia. It is not only the largest church in the Balkans, but also one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. The interior of the church is magnificent and spectacular. ✅St. Sofia Church In contrast, St. Sofia Church is more simple. The city of Sofia was named after this church in the 14th century. ✅Sofia University If you have time, you can also visit Sofia University, a Baroque-style building that is classical and grand. Not far from the university are the Soviet Army Monument, Eagle Bridge, and the Bulgarian Parliament Building, which can all be visited together.

Banya Bashi Mosque (Bulgarian: Баня баши джамия, Banya bashi dzhamiya; Turkish: Banya Başı Camii) is a mosque in Sofia, Bulgaria. The mosque was designed by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and completed in 1566, during the years the Ottomans had control of the city. The mosque derives its name from the phrase Banya Bashi, which means many baths. In the Turkish language Banyo means bath and Baş (pronounced Bash) means 'head' or 'main', so looking at the location it is built on, a more logical translation of the name would be 'Head of the bath mosque'. The most outstanding feature of the mosque is that it was actually built over natural thermal spas; one can even see the steam rising from vents in the ground near the mosque walls. The mosque is famous for its large dome, diameter 15m, and the minaret. #passionpassport #mytripvlog #urbanexplorer #tripblazers #awesomepic #cafe #awesomepic #celebratewithtrip #couplestrip #2023travelwish #passionpassport

Bulgaria Attractions-Banya Bashi Mosque The Banya Bash Mosque is a mosque in Sofia and is the only surviving medieval mosque in the city. It was built by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan, who designed more than 300 buildings, including the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul and the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. Its name means "in the bath" because it is part of a larger bathing center. On the arch above the door there is an unreadable text written in painted stone. Below is the date 974 which gives us reason to believe that the mosque was built in 974 AH (Muslim calendar) or 1566-1567 according to the Gregorian calendar. In May 2011, members of the nationalist Ataka party attacked Muslims praying in front of the Banya Bash Mosque, demanding less noise from the temple's pillars. Bulgaria has been found guilty of attacks and violations of religious freedom by the Strasbourg Human Rights Court. Banya Bashi Mosque is a mosque in Sofia, the only surviving medieval mosque in the city. It was built by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan, who designed over 300 buildings, including the Suleymaniye Mosques in Istanbul and the Selimiye Mosques in Edirne. Its name means "in the bathroom" because it was part of a larger bathing complex. On the arch above the door on a stone with paint is written a text that can not be read. Below it is the date 974, which gives reason to believe that the mosque was built in 974 AH (Muslim calendar) or 1566 - 1567 according to the Gregorian calendar. In May 2011, members of the nationalist Ataka party attacked praying Muslims in front of the Banya Bashi mosque, demanding that the noise from the temple's columns be reduced. Bulgaria has been convicted of assault and violation of religious freedom by the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights .

#EuropeGuide 📍The Ottoman mosque of Sofia Located in the heart of Sofia, the Banya Bashi Mosque is a unique sight in the city! 🇧🇬🕌 Located right next to the Central Baths and the Sofia City History Museum, its towering minaret and distinctive dome stand out in the Orthodox landscape of Sofia. While you can’t enter the interior (non-Muslims are usually only allowed to visit during certain hours or areas), just admiring the architectural details from the outside is enough to give you a sense of the exotic atmosphere. The mosque’s architecture is exquisite, with delicate carvings and geometric patterns that are full of the charm of Islamic art. At dusk, when the sun sets on the mosque’s walls, it becomes even more sacred and serene. If you’re visiting Sofia, add this place to your list of must-see destinations for a unique experience of fusion and clashing cultures!

🗺️🗺️ Day 1:National Palace of Culture (NDK)-Vitosha Boulevard-Saint Alexander Nevsky Patriarch's Cathedral Day 2:Regional History Museum of Sofia-Gallery Serdika-Central Mosque of Sofia - Banya Bashi Mosque Day 3:Vitosha Mountain-Vitosha ski Day 4:The City Garden-The National Musical Theater 📍📍 Must-Visit Attractions 1.National Palace of Culture (NDK) 2.Vitosha Boulevard 3.Saint Alexander Nevsky Patriarch's Cathedral 4.Regional History Museum of Sofia 5.Gallery Serdika 6.Central Mosque of Sofia - Banya Bashi Mosque 7.Vitosha Mountain 8.Vitosha ski 9.The City Garden 10.The National Musical Theater 🥘🥘 [Must-Try Food] 🏠🏠 Airbnb 📷📷 All place have their own best spot for photoshoot. 📣📣

Discovery Report < Worldwalker 2023/09/08 07:05 🇧🇬 Sofia, Bulgaria [A mosque in Bulgaria!? Banya Bashi Mosque built by a famous Ottoman architect] When you come out of the subway station in the center of Sofia, you can see the minaret of an Islamic mosque a little way ahead. It's Moscow's "Banya Bashi Mosque". Its presence is strange ~ 😲 You may think, "A mosque in Bulgaria!?", but Bulgaria is also a neighboring country of present-day Turkey, and has a history of being ruled by the Ottoman Empire. It was built in the late 16th century under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, and was designed by the famous court architect Mimar Sinan. The door was closed, so I approached it several times, and the moment the door opened, I went inside the mosque. The inside is quite modest. It is adjacent to a small park, and next door is the Sofia History Museum, a building of European architecture, creating an incredible contrast. This museum was previously a hot spring bathhouse! Bulgaria was also influenced by the Ottoman Empire in terms of food culture, so there are kebab shops everywhere, and they serve dishes similar to Turkish cuisine. Bulgaria is not very familiar in Japan, but it is surprisingly interesting ~ #mosques

When I took a free guided tour of Sofia, I gained a deeper understanding of the city's history and culture. The tour guide took us to visit some important attractions, including: First, we came to St. George Church, a historic church built in the 4th century. This church is one of the oldest buildings in Sofia, full of religious and historical atmosphere. The tour guide introduced us to the architectural style and murals of the church, letting us understand its important position in Sofia. Next, we headed to Sofia Central Mineral Baths. This is a historic building built in the early 20th century that was once a thermal bath. Although it is now closed, it still showcases its magnificent architecture and unique architectural style. The tour guide explained to us the history and cultural significance of the building. We also visited the Banya Bashi Mosque, the only mosque in Sofia, built in the 16th century. This mosque is famous for its unique architectural style and large central dome. The tour guide introduced us to the history of Islam in Sofia and its impact on the local community. After that, we came to the National Assembly of Bulgaria (National Assembly of Bulgaria), which is the seat of Bulgaria’s parliament. The building is a magnificent neoclassical structure of great political and historical significance. The tour guide introduced us to Bulgaria’s political system and the functions of the Parliament. Finally, we visited the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the most famous and spectacular buildings in Sofia. This Orthodox cathedral was built in the early 20th century and is the largest Orthodox church in Bulgaria. The tour guide introduced in detail the architectural style of the cathedral and its important role in Bulgarian religion and culture. Throughout the tour, the tour guide also told us about the history of the Roman period, including the influence and ruins of the Roman Empire on the Sofia area. We learned that Sofia was an important city in ancient Roman times and there are many monuments and sites that bear witness to the prosperity of that era. This free tour gave me a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Sofia, and made me full of curiosity and interest in this city. I thanked the tour guide for his knowledge and explanations, which made my visit a pleasant and educational experience. #EUROPE #OVERSEASTRAVEL #trip#FreeTour #外游

#bucketlistreboot Sofia Central Mosque is another place to visit whilst in the Bulgarian capital. This was actually the first mosque I visited and entered and was really impressed by the interior. Right next to the Sofia History Museum is Banya Bashi Mosque, the only functioning mosque in Sofia, a remnant of the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria which lasted nearly 5 centuries. The mosque was actually built over natural thermal spas and derives its name from the phrase Banya Bashi, which means many baths. The mosque is famous for its large dome, 15m in diameter, and the minaret. This couldn't be compared to the mosque in Sharm in Egypt though. #bulgaria