After WWII much of Sofia was rebuilt and the Aleksandar Nevki Cathedral is a tribute to the Russian soldiers who fought in the war. Hikers will love the mountainous landscape, and Bulgaria has become popular with skiers, skiing season running from December to April.
Events/Public Holidays
Public holidays include New Year (1 and 2 January), Liberation Day (3 March), Cyrillic Alphabet Day (24 May) and Christmas (25 and 26 December). Trifon Zarezan on 14 February is the ancient festival of the wine growers
The Koprivshtitsa International Folk Festival is held every five years. There is a biennial festival in Pernik. Kukeri is another spring festival, and the Festival of Roses is celebrated with folk songs and dances at Kazanlâk and Karlovo on the first Sunday in June