Sofia

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Sofia is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Bulgaria. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of the mountain massif Vitosha, and is the administrative, cultural, economic, and educational centre of the country.

Places of interest

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:SofiaCathedral.jpg

Sofia is one of the oldest capital cities in Europe, blending its past and present in a remarkable architectural style. Historic landmarks include the 10th century Boyana Church (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Alexander Nevski Cathedral (one of the world's largest Orthodox churches), and the early Byzantine Church of St Sophia.

As well as religious sites, Sofia is famous for its many museums and galleries such as:

  • Bulgarian National Historical Museum, noteworthy for its Thracian treasures
  • National Archaeological Museum
  • National Museum of Military History
  • Sofia City Art Gallery
  • Bulgarian National Gallery of Arts
  • The National Gallery of Foreign Art.
Vitosha mountain, Sofia. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Vitosha2.jpg

Other landmarks and tourist attractions include:

  • Vitosha mountain – one of the symbols of Sofia and just a short drive or bus ride away
  • Borisova gradina, the oldest and largest park in the city
  • Sofia Public Mineral Baths, decorated with the finest majolica tiles
  • Sofia Zoo
  • Ivan Vazov National Theatre
  • Vitosha Boulevard, famous for its fashion boutiques, luxury-goods stores and exhibitions by renowned fashion designers.

History of Sofia

Sofia street. Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Vitoshka-with-St-Nedelya.jpg

Sofia was originally a Thracian settlement called Serdica or Sardica, named after the Thracian tribe Serdi that had populated it. Around AD 29, Sofia was conquered by the Romans and renamed Ulpia Serdica. The city expanded as defences and civic buildings were constructed. It was of a moderate size but was a magnificent example of urban planning and architecture.

During the Middle Ages it was part of the First Bulgarian Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Second Bulgarian Empire and then – for 500 years – the Ottoman Empire. When Bulgaria gained complete independence from Ottoman rule, Sofia was chosen as its capital.

Text taken from the Wikipedia article on Sofia.