Gallery: more street art from Sofia
Itās no secret that I am a big fan of street art. I donāt mean scrawled graffiti, or even more precisely worked ātagsā. I mean art. Like many cities today, Sofia offers a dedicated street art tour; we saw signs advertising it in several places. But we chose not to take the tour, instead preferring to seek out street art at our own pace.
I knew from my previous visit that there would be a lot around ul. Iskar, which leads eastwards from the mosque into a grid of quiet back streets. That proved to be the best hunting ground and also one of my favourite areas of the city. In addition to the street art there are lots of welcoming cafƩs, a few tables outside each on the pavement. Although it was a weekday the atmosphere was relaxed, with locals as well as tourists relaxing over a drink and a chat.
Most of the selection below, shared for this weekās Photographing Public Art challenge, were found on those streets. But others are from elsewhere in the city. A number, including my feature photo, were in a car park near Serdika metro, which had been almost completely repainted since my 2019 visit. Others were dotted all over the central area. And this isnāt all; Iāve left out quite a lot of shots in an effort to keep this gallery manageable! I hope fellow street art fans will enjoy it, and that perhaps some of those still uncertain whether this is art or vandalism will be converted.
And let me know your favourites please. Which are mine, you ask? The Dream Tree with penguins (I love penguins!), the Charlie Chaplin and the huge delicately coloured couple hugging.
If youād prefer to view the photos as a slideshow you can do so by clicking any image in the gallery.
I last visited Sofia in September 2022 when all these photos were taken
41 Comments
Gift N. T.
My pick is The Dream Tree as well. The subjects in the mural and the color scheme are dreamy in a sci-fi way to me and I love that. The owl with aliens (?) as well. I love this kind of vibe.
Sarah Wilkie
I know what you mean about a dreamy look, and there’s so much to see in it š
Teresa
All very talented people!
Sarah Wilkie
Absolutely – thanks Teresa š
NortheastAllie
Beautiful art!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for stopping by š
grandmisadventures
what an incredible range of skill and artistry in all of these!
Sarah Wilkie
Yes – I was very impressed by them š
leightontravels
These are fantastic murals, Sarah. We share the favourite ones: the hugging couple is touching and dreamy, the Dream Tree is visually appealing and Charlie is just great. It is interesting how certain personalities (Frida Kahlo perhaps more than any other) have an almost universal presence. There’s a Charlie Chaplin mural here in Batumi, too. The city holds an annual street art festival and features several huge murals that cover entire facades. Unfortunately, we just missed it.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Leighton, so glad you enjoyed these (and shared my favourites š ) Yes, somehow Charlie and others transcend boundaries and appeal to everyone. A shame you missed the street art festival there but I bet you’re enjoying it nevertheless!
Leela Gopinath
Great collection indeed!
Sarah Wilkie
Glad you liked it Leela š
notesoflifeuk
I love seeing street art, although I don’t see much of it where I live.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m fortunate to be able to see plenty in London š Whereabouts are you based?
Aletta - nowathome
Oh wow Sarah! I love street art too. These murals are just amazing!
Sarah Wilkie
Glad you enjoyed seeing them Aletta – this part of Sofia is a treasure-trove for anyone who loves street art!
Aletta - nowathome
Wish I can get there too! š
Marsha
Sarah, you outdid yourself here. I like cartoony murals as Margaret does. The romantic couple is lovely. The gun shooting the flower is a bit weird. Geordie is adorable as are the penguins and Charlie. I wasn’t as crazy about Tiger-hund, because I think I could have drawn him, and I’m not good, but most of them are fabulous. I can’t wait to see the rest of them.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Marsha – and I do see what you mean about Tiger-hund, but he made me smile š This is probably it for the street art from Sofia but I’ll do another PPAC post with some of the monuments and sculptures we saw around the city!
restlessjo
The dream tree is interesting, but in complete contrast I like Charlie Chaplin.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, I felt those two were very different but both also very good. Interesting to see Charlie on a street corner in Bulgaria!
restlessjo
šš
rkrontheroad
The one of the couple is so touching. And I do like the Charlie Chaplin. Who would have thought street art would be so vibrant in Bulgaria?
Sarah Wilkie
When I visited in 2019 I was taken by all the street art here and in Plovdiv. It’s very much a thing there š
Marie
I think my favourite is the one with the trailer to the forefront… Wonderful selection Sarah…
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Marie š I think that’s one of the more subtle ones but I liked the nod to traditional crafts.
Mike and Kellye Hefner
They are all fabulous, Sarah! I too like the couple hugging, but it was hard to choose just one favorite. What a wonderful place Sofia must be to have public galleries using buildings as artists’ canvases. Thanks so much for sharing!
Sarah Wilkie
Sofia certainly values its street art but I wouldn’t want you to have the impression the whole city is like this! Its main attraction is its variety I reckon, with everything from Roman ruins, dilapidated old houses, Communist blocks and beautifully restored grand villas and the odd palace too š
Mike and Kellye Hefner
I don’t, but I do love street art, and we have very little of it around where we live. I have enjoyed the photos you have posted of Sofia, and I look forward to seeing more of the history of the city.
Sarah Wilkie
Definitely more to come next week!
wetanddustyroads
Yes, the Dream Tree is definitely a favourite… and the couple hugging each other (romantic, you see š).
Sarah Wilkie
We seem to share the same taste, at least as far as these are concerned š
wetanddustyroads
šš»
Easymalc
The couple hugging – and was Chris thinking of Andy Capp when he thought he looked like a Geordie?
Sarah Wilkie
I’m not sure that he was, more generic Geordie – but that thought certainly occurred to me!
margaret21
There’s quite a cartoony vibe to a lot of these, which I’m less used to. Having said that, my favourite is quite cartoony. The tiger-hund, or whatever s/he likes to call themself!
Sarah Wilkie
I see what you mean about the cartoon style Margaret – and I love your name for the little dog!
Anne Sandler
Great selection of murals Sarah. My favorites are the penguins and the couple hugging.
Sarah Wilkie
Ah, we’re very much in tune Anne š
thehungrytravellers.blog
I think Iād go for the guy with the cigarette and the chequered cap as my favourite
Sarah Wilkie
We liked him too – as soon as Chris saw him he remarked, ‘there’s a Geordie’! The hand tattooed with ‘LOVE’ is his, but with all the parked cars it was impossible to get all of him in a single shot.