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- Destinations
- Europe
- Bulgaria
- Sofia
- Boyana Church
Boyana Church
The Boyana Church complex - located on the outskirts of Sofia -
is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and one of Bulgaria's most
important tourist attractions. The first of the three buildings
that make up the Boyana Church complex was built in the 10th
century, but it is the second building - built in the 13th century
- that is the obvious tourist draw card. Containing frescoes
painted in 1259 - 89 scenes in total, including 240 human images -
the second Boyana Church building is nothing less than the site of
the most important collection of medieval eastern European art in
the world. The paintings, which conform to a Byzantine aesthetic,
yet possess a unique spiritual vitality, are almost perfectly
preserved - and offer visitors a rare insight into the long, proud
history of Bulgarian art and culture.
Information & Facts
Address
Language
Bulgarian is the official language, which uses the
Cyrillic alphabet, but English, German and French is spoken in
resorts, hotels and restaurants.
Money
The official currency is the Lev (BGN), which is divided into
100 stotinki. The Lev is tied to the Euro at a fixed rate of EUR1 =
1.955 lev. Bulgaria has strict currency regulations. If you enter
Bulgaria with cash of any currency amounting to the equivalent of
8, 000 leva or more, you must declare it to customs officials.
Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, hotels or at one of the
numerous bureaux de change, however due to a common practice of
misleading rates of exchange it is better to go to banks or hotels
to change money. A receipt called a
bordereauxis issued when exchanging currency, indicating
the amount that will be given, and it must be kept until departure.
Not all banks accept travellers cheques and those that do usually
charge a 5% commission. Major international credit cards are
increasingly becoming accepted by tourist hotels, upmarket shops
and restaurants, travel agents and car rental agents, but Bulgaria
is still largely a cash economy. There are ATMs in the main cities
and at Black Sea resorts.
Time
Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from last Sunday in March to
last Sunday in October).