Pl Bulgaria

The National Palace of Culture (NDK) watches over an elongated park known as Pl Bulgaria. There are a few kiosks and sociable bars here for those in search of a cheap alfresco beer, as well as carts selling popcorn and ice cream. It's also a favourite venue for Sofia's skateboarding teens.

Steps just in front of the NDK building lead down into a gloomy underpass crammed with cheap clothes shops and cafés.

At the northern end of pl Bulgaria is the 1300 Years Monument. Nearby is the memorial and chapel dedicated to the victims of the communist regime, with a plaque bearing some 10,000 names. Behind it is a section of the Berlin Wall.