Bulgaria's Tourism Struggles to Diversify Beyond Traditional Offerings
Bulgaria continues to lag behind neighboring countries in achieving significant growth in its tourism sector
The mortal remains of King (Tsar) Ferdinand will be brought to Bulgaria, with the mourning ceremony set to take place at the royal palace "Vrana," as announced by the "King Boris and Queen Giovanna" Fund. The service, open to the public, begins at 3:30 p.m.
The remains of Tsar Ferdinand will be transported from Coburg to Sofia by military plane. Upon arrival, the coffin will be solemnly taken down and placed in a hearse, which will travel to the "Vrana" palace. The funeral procession will start at the main entrance of the palace park and proceed to the building, where it will be received by Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gothaand his family, along with Western and Central European Metropolitan Anthony, the official envoy of the Holy Synod, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Bulgaria, Archbishop Monsignor Luciano Suriani.
The ceremony will be held in front of the central entrance of "Vrana," after which the casket will be moved to the central lobby. A brief farewell will take place in a family circle before the palace doors are opened to the public, allowing citizens to pay their respects to the late Tsar Ferdinand.
Tsar Ferdinand, the first monarch of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, had been interred in the crypt of the Church of St. Augustine in Coburg, Germany. There, he was placed in a temporary sarcophagus in front of the tomb of his parents, Prince Augustus of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Princess Clementine of Orléans.
Tsar Ferdinand died on September 10, 1948, in Coburg at the age of 87. On Monday, Coburg bid farewell with a church service at St. Augustine, attended by Bulgaria's ambassador to Berlin, Grigor Porozhanov.
The Mayor of Coburg expressed his satisfaction that King Ferdinand's long-held wish was being fulfilled, allowing his remains to return to Bulgaria. He thanked Tsar Ferdinand for his contributions to Coburg and wished him a safe final journey to his beloved Vrana Palace in Sofia, where he will find a permanent resting place.
Good Friday falls on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, which in 2025 is on April 18
Weather Forecast for Bulgaria: April 18–20
The hourly paid parking zones in Sofia, commonly known as the blue and green zones
On Maundy Thursday, it is customary in Bulgaria to dye Easter eggs, starting with the most important one—the first egg must always be painted red
On April 17, Orthodox Christians observe Holy Thursday, a solemn day in the Holy Week commemorating key moments from the final hours of Jesus Christ’s earthly life
On April 17, Bulgaria will experience mostly sunny weather
Google Street View Cars Return to Bulgaria for Major Mapping Update
Housing Prices Soar in Bulgaria’s Major Cities as Demand and Supply Strain Increase