The Bells (Kambanite)
The Bells (Kambanite)
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Neighborhood: Serdica
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
141 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
53
Average
21
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Komalantz
Sofia, Bulgaria230 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
The first thing you’ll notice about this place is that although is not far from the city is quite hidden. There’s only one decent road linking to it and you only know that you’re entering a park because there’s a broken barrier to show you the path.
Besides that, once you go in, if you entered by where the statue of a child is, you’ll notice that it’s very well planned. Is made to awe the visitors from the beginning and it still has that feeling of grandeur it was meant to have. That’s up to the point when you get to the security shack with some stray dogs around, but don’t worry they won’t bite you or even move much.
The monument itself is quite interesting and despite the abandonment years is well preserved. Yes, several bells are missing and some appear to have been defaced but still there’s plenty to see. Is very interesting to watch how different the understanding for what a bell might be between different cultures and the level of relationship that the countries used to have with Bulgaria when they gave the bells. You can see a magnificent Chinese bell and a tiny one that claims to be donated by the US. That said, there are some non-national bells, some were donated by UNICEF, OTAN and even there’s one from Rotary International.
So if you come you won’t regret it, is quite close to the business park and to some cinema theatre, there’s a pizza place around, also a hotel and some other things you may want to see.
Besides that, once you go in, if you entered by where the statue of a child is, you’ll notice that it’s very well planned. Is made to awe the visitors from the beginning and it still has that feeling of grandeur it was meant to have. That’s up to the point when you get to the security shack with some stray dogs around, but don’t worry they won’t bite you or even move much.
The monument itself is quite interesting and despite the abandonment years is well preserved. Yes, several bells are missing and some appear to have been defaced but still there’s plenty to see. Is very interesting to watch how different the understanding for what a bell might be between different cultures and the level of relationship that the countries used to have with Bulgaria when they gave the bells. You can see a magnificent Chinese bell and a tiny one that claims to be donated by the US. That said, there are some non-national bells, some were donated by UNICEF, OTAN and even there’s one from Rotary International.
So if you come you won’t regret it, is quite close to the business park and to some cinema theatre, there’s a pizza place around, also a hotel and some other things you may want to see.
Written October 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steph_FR-BE
Schaerbeek, Belgium2,022 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
In the outskirts of Sofia, this is worth a visit because I have never seen something like that elsewhere.
Plus, the kids are allowed to use the bells and they are just happy to make noise.
Some bells from Asia are also interesting.
We spent 30 min there + 30 min in the park around. Both are free. Free parking also
Plus, the kids are allowed to use the bells and they are just happy to make noise.
Some bells from Asia are also interesting.
We spent 30 min there + 30 min in the park around. Both are free. Free parking also
Written July 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MPOT
Norwich, UK410 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
I learnt about this place when I read, 'A street without a name' by Kapka Kassabova. In her childhood she remembers the park's construction. The idea came from Lyudmila Zhivkova who was the daughter of the former Communist leader Todor Zhivkov,
Each country around the world sent a bell as a symbol of peace and a celebration of children. Many countries participated. The seven bells in the centre represent the seven continents. Of note are USSR (CCCP) as it was then, various Asian ornamental bells, the size of the Bulgarian bell (huge) and the North Korean bell - not much comes out of North Korea but I guess back then to a fellow Communist country this would have been OK!
The concept of this park would not have been entirely in keeping with the Communist regime's outlook (for one it acknowledges a seemingly 'good' world beyond the iron curtain - not what propaganda wanted to perpetuate!) Zhivkova was also into eastern spirituality. She was clearly a controversial character back then (and even now as it would seem because when I brought up the park in conversation with a Bulgarian couple - one thought she had great ideas, the other thought she was a spoiled 'princess'). Anyway a further twist to the story is that although Zhivkova officially died of a brain tumour, there is speculation that she was actually assassinated.
I even think that the fact that the upkeep of the park did not happen and some of the bells were stolen when crime in Bulgaria rose after 1989 is interesting!
When we visited we drove there before we left Bulgaria - as it is not that far from the airport. We were surprised to find we were the only ones anywhere near the park!
Each country around the world sent a bell as a symbol of peace and a celebration of children. Many countries participated. The seven bells in the centre represent the seven continents. Of note are USSR (CCCP) as it was then, various Asian ornamental bells, the size of the Bulgarian bell (huge) and the North Korean bell - not much comes out of North Korea but I guess back then to a fellow Communist country this would have been OK!
The concept of this park would not have been entirely in keeping with the Communist regime's outlook (for one it acknowledges a seemingly 'good' world beyond the iron curtain - not what propaganda wanted to perpetuate!) Zhivkova was also into eastern spirituality. She was clearly a controversial character back then (and even now as it would seem because when I brought up the park in conversation with a Bulgarian couple - one thought she had great ideas, the other thought she was a spoiled 'princess'). Anyway a further twist to the story is that although Zhivkova officially died of a brain tumour, there is speculation that she was actually assassinated.
I even think that the fact that the upkeep of the park did not happen and some of the bells were stolen when crime in Bulgaria rose after 1989 is interesting!
When we visited we drove there before we left Bulgaria - as it is not that far from the airport. We were surprised to find we were the only ones anywhere near the park!
Written April 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MrThomas1981
Ipswich, UK684 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Arriving at the Business park metro station, The guide books will tell you it is a 10 minute walk to the bells - we found it to be more like 20-30 and not a particularly easy route (again, no signposts so you will need a map). Walking through the business park to the cinema is a less hair-raising route avoiding the traffic and if it is a hot day, stop at the corner shop and stock up on water as there is nothing up there except a park and a security hut - maybe at one time this served ice cream but now is home to a solitary guard. Once past the shop, turn right up the footpath into the woods- follow the road will at another 1.5km to your journey! Walk round and ring the bells that are left and head out again - there is not much else to do but for most people ringing the DPRK bell will be the closest they will ever get to North Korea! Bells from the DDR, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia are reminders of a time that has passed.
Written June 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Katya S
Sofia, Bulgaria25 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
If you agree that all children in the world should live in peace and should be free to play and create, then this place is right for you as it symbolizes this idea. There are bells from all over the world and it's allowed only to children to ring them :)
The park around is nice but rather small and sadly some of the bells are broken.
The park around is nice but rather small and sadly some of the bells are broken.
Written May 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
theocharis t
Xanthi, Greece22 contributions
Oct 2011 • Friends
a bit away from the city center and tricky to find is the monument of childrens of the world. a n organisation made by a communist era minister of culture, who was inviting every year childer from a diferent country to visit bulgaria, and they had to bring with them a bell as a gift to the childrens unity or something like that... interesting monument in the forest with about a hundrent bells waiting for u to play!! i realy enjoyed it!!
Written November 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Elliott L
4 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Only good with context of our communist tour the day before! Interesting piece of soviet history but definitely need a taxi and maybe a picnic there to make it worth it.
Written February 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GarySib
Kempton Park, South Africa177 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Was looking forward to see the bell monument and was excited when I saw Zimbabwean flag and a bell, thought I would come across RSA, few African countries but no representation of my beloved country. I will donate a bell...South Africa takes its children very serious and they are protected by law. Good afternoon stroll though. At the Kambanite park, you can have a BBQ (braai) which was a cherry on top, as we were looking for a BBQ spot for some time. Clean park with fixed concrete tables and chairs, worth a visit when in Sofia.
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
foodlov
Johannesburg, South Africa42 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Another monument from their Communist history
Interesting, different ,unique
Trying to experience the past we did not succeed yet we did experience culture ,unique ,highly influenced by the geo-politic of the country
Interesting, different ,unique
Trying to experience the past we did not succeed yet we did experience culture ,unique ,highly influenced by the geo-politic of the country
Written April 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SEs
London, UK25,876 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
This is a place full bells brought by children of different places. If you are close by have a look.
Written October 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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The Bells (Kambanite) (Sofia) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Bells (Kambanite)
- We recommend booking The Bells (Kambanite) tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 The Bells (Kambanite) tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near The Bells (Kambanite):
- (0.53 mi) Crowne Plaza Sofia, an IHG Hotel
- (2.84 mi) Novotel Sofia
- (6.08 mi) Casa Ferrari B&B
- (5.75 mi) InterContinental Sofia
- (5.86 mi) Hyatt Regency Sofia
- Restaurants near The Bells (Kambanite):
- (0.41 mi) Aspas
- (0.48 mi) Low and Slow Gentlemen
- (0.60 mi) Kitch. Food & Style
- (0.53 mi) Brasserie Restaurant
- (0.49 mi) Roadhouse Grill - Arena Mladost