IMG_7688 - An artistic, rainy-window preview of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, in memory of 200,000 Russian deaths in the 1877-78 war
IMG_7689 - That same St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built in 1912. These memorials remind us of the deadly cost of wars.
IMG_7690 - St Sofia Church, built in the mid-6th century. The city, originally named Serdica, adopted the name of the church.
IMG_7691 - This lion guards an eternal flame to the WWI Unknown Soldier, just in front of St Sofia in the previous photo.
IMG_7698 - This very detailed statue is of Tsar Samuil, who ruled Bulgaria from 997 to 1014.
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IMG_7707 - St Nikolas Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia. It was the official church for the Russian Embassy next door.
IMG_7709 - The National Art Gallery of Bulgaria in Sofia, the former royal palace, viewed from the Royal Garden
IMG_7711 - To decorate it appropriately as the capital of Bulgaria, as of 1907 much of Sofia was paved with yellow cobblestones.
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IMG_7713 - This Ministry of Defence building illustrates Bulgarian modern architecture from the mid 20th century.
IMG_7714 - The Ivan Vazov National Theatre