The Bulgarian capital

Latest answer — August 29, 2026

17 Down

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Clue explained

“SOFIA” is the published 5-letter fill for 17 Down. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Guardian Weekend Crossword

This clue’s Saturday, August 29, 2026 appearance

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Crossword solution grid

Select a square to hide or reveal its letter in the 13 by 13 crossword grid.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

13 clues
  1. 1State that in 1967 declared independence from Nigeria
  2. 4Author of the New Testament Epistles
  3. 9Recipients of one of 4’s epistles?
  4. 10The gift of which enables one to speak fluently?
  5. 11Leo __, author of War and Peace
  6. 13Massachusetts town known for its witch trials
  7. 14Comedy starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine
  8. 16French city, once home to Van Gogh
  9. 18Worcestershire market town, known for its Bell Tower
  10. 20Mamma __, Abba hit
  11. 21German militias formed in 1918
  12. 23The Irish senate
  13. 24Military slang for everyday screw-ups

Down

13 clues
  1. 1David __, manager of The Office?
  2. 2Common name of Fraxinus trees
  3. 3Port city on the Nile delta known for its eponymous stone
  4. 5Characteristic feature shared by narwhals, water deer and elephants?
  5. 6Amazonian genus popular in domestic aquariums
  6. 7Mexican folk song which was a hit for Ritchie Valens and Los Lobos
  7. 8Co-host of The Rest is Football
  8. 12The Slovenian capital
  9. 14EU programme for education, training, youth and sport
  10. 15Nickname given to 30 St Mary Axe, London
  11. 17The Bulgarian capitalSOFIA
  12. 19Ed __, former 400-metre hurdles champion
  13. 22The UK’s air defence force

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 1. State that in 1967 declared independence from Nigeria

    Answer: BIAFRA

  2. 4. Author of the New Testament Epistles

    Answer: STPAUL

  3. 9. Recipients of one of 4’s epistles?

    Answer: EPHESIANS

  4. 10. The gift of which enables one to speak fluently?

    Answer: GAB

  5. 11. Leo __, author of War and Peace

    Answer: TOLSTOY

  6. 13. Massachusetts town known for its witch trials

    Answer: SALEM

  7. 14. Comedy starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine

    Answer: EDUCATINGRITA

  8. 16. French city, once home to Van Gogh

    Answer: ARLES

  9. 18. Worcestershire market town, known for its Bell Tower

    Answer: EVESHAM

  10. 20. Mamma __, Abba hit

    Answer: MIA

  11. 21. German militias formed in 1918

    Answer: FREIKORPS

  12. 23. The Irish senate

    Answer: SEANAD

  13. 24. Military slang for everyday screw-ups

    Answer: SNAFUS

Down

  1. 1. David __, manager of The Office?

    Answer: BRENT

  2. 2. Common name of Fraxinus trees

    Answer: ASH

  3. 3. Port city on the Nile delta known for its eponymous stone

    Answer: ROSETTA

  4. 5. Characteristic feature shared by narwhals, water deer and elephants?

    Answer: TUSKS

  5. 6. Amazonian genus popular in domestic aquariums

    Answer: ANGELFISH

  6. 7. Mexican folk song which was a hit for Ritchie Valens and Los Lobos

    Answer: LABAMBA

  7. 8. Co-host of The Rest is Football

    Answer: GARYLINEKER

  8. 12. The Slovenian capital

    Answer: LJUBLJANA

  9. 14. EU programme for education, training, youth and sport

    Answer: ERASMUS

  10. 15. Nickname given to 30 St Mary Axe, London

    Answer: GHERKIN

  11. 17. The Bulgarian capital

    Answer: SOFIA

  12. 19. Ed __, former 400-metre hurdles champion

    Answer: MOSES

  13. 22. The UK’s air defence force

    Answer: RAF

The answer to “The Bulgarian capital” in the Guardian Weekend Crossword is SOFIA — a 5-letter word. It appears in our available data for August 29, 2026 at 17-Down. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“The Bulgarian capital” answer

SOFIA(5 letters)

Prefer a nudge first? Use the letter tiles above to hide and reveal individual characters, or use the focused grid to confirm the crossing letters.

Why does SOFIA fit?

SOFIA is the published 5-letter answer at 17-Down. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “The Bulgarian capital” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “The Bulgarian capital”?

The answer is SOFIA.

How many letters are in the answer?

5 letters: SOFIA.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Guardian Weekend Crossword for August 29, 2026 at 17-Down.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the Guardian Weekend answers page for August 29, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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