Sofia. Architectural Guide

Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe, and it ­remains a relatively undiscovered melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures. Its urban ­fabric comprises a vast range of architectures, with structures by the ancient ­Thracians, the ­Romans, the Byzantines, as well as works from the ­Bulgarian medieval era, the ­Ottoman Empire, and the modern day, including the peculiar period of communist historicism and modernism. This book presents the city and its capacity to produce a ­singular architectural experience by tracing its ­geography and dissecting its historical layers. Architectural Guide ­Sofia ­catalogues not only monuments and sites overlooked by standard tourist guides, but also the city’s most recent buildings, highlighting innovative works by contemporary architects. It profiles 200 selected structures from different eras, explores the genesis of the local architectures, and analyses the architectural details born out of clashes of various stylistic influences. Maps, illustrations, and an ­extensive bibliography help readers and ­travelers experience the extraordinary diversity of Sofia’s built environment.