The most used rock materials that served to build the modern appearance of Sofia’s central streets and buildings are presented. Different local genetic types of rocks were utilized for the construction of modern Sofia: igneous rocks (monzonites, gabbros, rhyolites); sedimentary rocks (varieties of limestone and sandstones); and metamorphics (mainly marbles). A small part of rock materials was imported, mainly for the interior design of the buildings, for instance in Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and others. The most used rock material for buildings and streets were the monzonites from the Vitosha Mountain, and this is the reason why Sofia City is noted as “the monzonite capital” of Bulgaria. The emblematic buildings, streets and squares in the city centre, with their rock building material, characteristics, and historical significance are briefly described.
rock building material, Sofia, city tour