South Park in Sofia
Travel
You can find information about Yujen Park (South Park), located in the center of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and the city's largest park, along with activities you can do and the park's history in this article.
Table of Contents
Sofia's Largest Park: South Park
One of the biggest complaints of people living in metropolises is the lack of clean air and being far from nature. For this reason, some municipalities in large cities have left certain areas untouched and have built large parks in these spaces to allow people to escape the intense urban life and breathe a little.
Some of the most well-known parks built in the heart of metropolises include Central Park in New York, Hyde Park in London, Bois de Boulogne in Paris, and Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. Similarly, the largest and most famous park in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is South Park, known in Turkish as South Park, and in the original Cyrillic alphabet as Южен парк. It is named so because it is located in the southern part of Sofia's city center.
History of South Park
South Park is a structural element of the city and its greenery, initiated as a project under the "Musman" plan and designed as the main green space extending toward Vitosha Mountain. The conceptual design was developed and approved in 1972 (by the design team led by Architect M. Karlova), after which construction began. It was planned to consist of four regional sections. However, with the construction of the National Palace of Culture (НДК - NDK) in the late 1970s, the plan for the first section was canceled, and the park remained only as an area surrounding the National Palace of Culture.
In the early 1980s, initial efforts to construct the second section began based on an updated project (by Architect I. Shchetinska), but these were halted due to insufficient funding. The construction of the Hilton Hotel started in the area designated for the second section. The most significant step toward the park’s project was taken with the construction of the third section, which began in the late 1970s.
South Park was originally planned in a landscape style (English park). This arrangement is evident from the richness of various reliefs and terrain forms. The park, generally consisting of four sections, was designed with decorative paving in its main section, built on the flat part of the terrain, featuring rich flower beds with geometric shapes. The section dedicated to children includes various playgrounds, water pools, and small restaurants.
Several thematic observation platforms, built along the steep slope below the State Hospital, offer opportunities for quiet rest and relaxation. The river regulation planned under the Drenovicka Project could not be realized due to a major flood disaster. On the South Park terrain, the existing vegetation of willows and poplars is found only along the banks of the Drenovicka River. The remaining trees and shrubs were brought from Sofia’s nurseries.
Activities in South Park
Access to South Park is possible on foot from all directions. However, there are a total of three main entrance gates. One gate is located on the city center side, where the National Palace of Culture (NDK) is situated, and Visually, this gate is used by visitors coming from the north. For those approaching from the west, via Bulgaria Boulevard, there is a separate entrance with traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. Finally, for visitors coming from the east, near Paradise Mall, there is another gate that starts at the children’s playground.
Although a large part of the park is covered with trees, the green area in the center of the park has very few trees. Visitors often spend time here with their pets or engage in ball-based sports. Running is possible in every section of the park. Additionally, due to its large area, it allows for cycling on both flat and rugged terrain.
Upon entering from the western side, it is possible to rent bicycles for one or more people on an hourly or per-minute basis. This section also offers paid toys, trampoline activities, and arcade games for children.
When the weather is nice, a cable car activity is set up for children to enjoy. Parents who make a specific payment can let their children participate in this activity.
The park contains numerous restaurants and cafes, including a Turkish restaurant, a pizzeria, various kiosks, and cafes. Additionally, mobile vendors provide services in certain areas.
Things to Note
Overall, it is a well-maintained park, with regular cleaning and general maintenance carried out by the municipality. Littering or leaving trash behind is not well-received, as is the case in other parts of the city. Visitors, especially on crowded holiday weekends when the weather is warm, behave respectfully toward one another and leave sufficient space.
Although the park’s green areas are treated with pesticides, they can sometimes host ticks and insects. Therefore, especially on warm days when visiting the park, applying insect repellent spray is a wise precaution for both children and adults.
There is a parking issue for visitors arriving by car. Due to limited parking spaces around the park, most visitors prefer to walk to the park. Nevertheless, for those coming from a distance or with heavy loads, finding parking may not take too long, but the necessity to park far away can sometimes be tiring.
Conclusion
Yujen Park is a large park ideal for sports and for families to spend quality time with their children. Located in the heart of Sofia, it is one of the top choices for those looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle and spend some time for themselves. With proper planning, it is possible to spend an entire day in this park.
