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Offered languages
- German
- English
- Italian
- Spanish
Explore Sofia's rich Jewish heritage at your own pace with this self-guided audio tour. This journey takes you through 8 stops, including the magnificent Central Synagogue and the poignant Jewish Memorial, sharing the inspiring stories of survival and community over centuries. Enjoy the freedom to pause and reflect as you traverse this historical path, discovering how Bulgaria's Jews have thrived amid challenges.
- Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours with 8 stops
- Audio guide available in English for an immersive experience
- Ideal for solo travelers and families interested in cultural heritage
After purchasing the tour, you will receive a link. Once you open it, you will have 72 hours to complete the tour. Please note that the tour does not include entry to the Sofia Synagogue or any of the other buildings.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The Sofia Synagogue is the largest synagogue on the Balkan Peninsula and one of the largest Sephardic synagogues in the world. Entry is not included in the audio-guided tour, but you are welcome to visit it independently (make sure to bring your ID).
The tour ends next to the Monument to the Salvation of the Bulgarian Jewish Community during WWII, commemorating the remarkable story of the rescue of Bulgaria’s Jewish population from deportation during the Holocaust.
Itinerary
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Sofia Synagogue (Pass by)
The Central Synagogue of Sofia, completed in 1909, is one of the largest and most beautiful synagogues in Europe. Designed in Moorish Revival style by Austrian architect Friedrich Grünanger, it stands as the main symbol of Bulgaria's Jewish heritage.
Admission ticket free -
National Art Gallery (Pass by)
The building that housed the Ottoman Konak became the palace of the Bulgarian monarch after the 1878 Liberation. Here unfolds the golden age of Bulgarian Jewry under the new kingdom's constitution of equality — and the dark turn toward the Second World War.
Admission ticket free -
The Basilica of Saint Sofia (Pass by)
Next to the church you will see a memorial to the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews — not to victims, but to rescuers. Its three stones honour Tsar Boris III and Tsaritsa Ioanna, Metropolitan Stefan, and Dimitar Peshev. Here is told the remarkable story of how Bulgaria saved its entire Jewish population.
Admission ticket free -
National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria (Pass by)
At this stop, the audio guide explores the post-World War II period and how communism reshaped Jewish life in Bulgaria. The once-vibrant Jewish community was suppressed, around 96% of Bulgarian Jews emigrated to Israel, and many of those who remained — including the guide’s own grandfather — were forced to put their Jewish identity aside.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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