The city is a living being that tells stories, if we can hear them

In recent years, the capital city of Sofia has attracted an increasing number of tourists from across Europe and the world, while many foreigners have even chosen it as their new home, finding career opportunities or love here. Others are weekend travellers seeking destinations that offer both affordable prices and relatively short flight times.

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Growing interest in the capital has led to an ever-wider variety of tourist routes across the city. It is no surprise to see the emergence of more themed walking tours dedicated to history, culture, or iconic figures whose lives were intertwined with Sofia - writers, painters, and artists. The tour we are highlighting here, however, focuses primarily on ancient Serdica - the name of the Bulgarian capital when it was a Roman settlement favoured by emperors for its natural setting, climate, and abundance of mineral water springs. Our guide through the secrets of the ancient city is philosopher and professional storyteller Evgeni Mitev. For him, the city can be perceived as a living being with stories to tell, provided we know how to listen.

"Our tour differs from others in that it is more philosophical in nature. This means we look for the connection between the symbols we pass by, the buildings, the architecture, and our own personal experience," he says. "After all, even without consciously realizing it, a person interacts in some way with the buildings, the streets, and the surrounding environment. We simply create an opportunity for people to experience a certain feeling by combining interesting information with a personal experience."

Nearly all group sightseeing tours start at one of the iconic buildings in the city center. This one, however, is an exception, as is immediately evident from the unconventional landmark it introduces first - the oldest living tree in Sofia.

"This is the white mulberry tree at 5 Iskar Street. We do not have much information about it, but given that it is nearly 700 years old, the tree must have grown before the onset of Ottoman rule. This makes it a silent witness to numerous historical events. I believe there is a spring near its roots, as the entire area around the Central Bath is rich in springs, most of which are thermal."

Another stop on this tour is in front of the Central Bath building, where one of the Sofia History Museum's outdoor exhibits is part of a temple to the ancient Greek god Zeus, dating back to around 2nd century BC. The remains of this temple were discovered during excavations under today's Garibaldi Square and were brought from there in front of today’s museum building.

The ancient Serdica area is by no means the only place in Sofia worth visiting. Through conversations with friends, Evgeni realized that many of them were unaware of the locations, or the history preceding the construction of significant Sofia landmarks, such as the Garrison Shooting Range or even the site of the National Palace of Culture. For this reason, he welcomes the enthusiasm of others who offer similar historical and thematic walking tours.

He also announced that he was working on a book offering a metaphorical and symbolic perspective on Sofia and its hidden secrets. It is expected to be ready next year. In the meantime, be sure to discover the hidden treasures our capital holds, whether on your own or by joining one of the tours.