With its 7,000 years of history Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe.
     "Sofia" meaning in Greek "wisdom" is the 5th name of the town - following Serdica, Ulpia Serdica, Sredetz and Triaditza.
     Located in the fertile Sofia Valley, in the very center of the Balkan Peninsula, on the strategic crossroads between East and West, the town was a much attractive center for many tribes and nations, travellers and conquerors. This was why it repeatedly experienced periods of upheaval and decay, but always managed to revive anew, even more magnificent and powerful.
     The history of Sofia started with the founding of the Thracian town of Sardonopolis. "Serdica" (the emphasis being on the first syllable) is the oldest name of the town we know. The name originates from "Serdi" - one of the 22 Thracian tribes forming the numerous Thracian people.
     In the 1st century it was conquered by the Romans and was named Ulpia Serdica in honour of the emperor Mark Ulpi Thrayanus. The town became the center of the Inner Dacis province.
     Serdica reached its peak under Emperor Constantine the Great (306 - 337 AD). The ancient town fortified walls with the two gates, public buildings, churches and the necropolis have been uncovered.
     Here people venerated especially strongly god Asclepius (or Aesculapius) since on the territory of Serdica there were numerous warm mineral water sources called thermae.
     In 6th and 7th centuries Slavonic tribes started settling in the Balkans and in the Sofia plain. In 809 AD khan Krum besieged and overtook Serdica. Ever since the town linked its fate for good with the Bulgarian state.
     In late 9th century under the reign of tsar Boris the town assumed the Slavonic name of Sredetz - meaning "in the middle" of the Balkan Peninsula.
     In 1194 AD the town of Sredetz joined the confines of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. There followed a period of long-lasting peace and upheaval of the material and spiritual culture.
     At the end of 14th century the town of Sredetz assumed the name Sofia. The name, first mentioned in a charter by tsar Ivan Shishman (1371 - 1393 AD), was linked with the biggest for that time and most beautiful St. Sofia Church.
     During the Ottoman rule Sofia has been the capital of a region, encompassing almost all the territory of the Balkan Peninsula. Preserved from that age now are St. Petka Samardjiiska Church (in the subway in front of TSUM ) and St. Spas (Ascension) Church (within the architectural ensemble of Bulbank).
     An important fact of Sofia's history was its proclamation for capital of Bulgaria after the liberation from Ottoman domination, with a Decree by the first Bulgarian prince Alexander Battenberg on April 3, 1879.
     Rapidly the city's image changed from an Oriental, to a European. Today many streets, buildings, parks, and even whole neighborhoods preserve the architectural style from the turn of the century. Today Sofia is a modern and busy capital, centre of Bulgaria's political, economic and cultural life. The harmony between the past and the present day lends the city its unique charm. Sofia has the tumult of a capital city and the convenience of a compact centre, where all the main sights can be visited on foot.

     Landmarks

The edifice of the Bulgarian Parliament is one of the rightful candidates for the city's emblem. It was built in three stages from 1884 to 1928, on plans of the Viennese architect Yovanovich. A motto inscribed on its main facade reads "Union makes strength".

 The square in front of the National Assembly is dominated by the Monument to the King Liberator of Bulgaria - a fine statue of the Russian Tzar Alexander II, whose soldiers fought for Bulgarian independence during the Russian-Turkish war.

     Alexander Nevski Cathedral - Completed in 1912 in honour of the Russian casualties of the 1877-78 War of Liberation from Ottoman Rule. Gold-domed, it is the finest piece of architecture in the Balkans. Craftsmen and artists from 6 countries worked on the five-aisle church in the course of 30 years and created real masterpieces of sicons, frescoes, murals and huge chandeliers. The interior decoration, made of Italian marble. Egyptian alabaster, Brazilian onyx, gold, mosaics embodies the spirit of the finest Eastern Orthodox traditions. A superb collection of icons - the best in Bulgaria - can also be seen in the Crypt. The crypt museum contains items from the very beginnings of Bulgarian iconography (the end of the 9th century) until the end of the 19th century. All stages of the Bulgarian iconography school are represented in a collection of 1500 items.

     Rotunda of St. George - The red brick rotunda church of St. George is considered the oldest building in Sofia. Built in the 4th century, the Rotunda brick building, adorned with finely preserved early mediaeval frescoes, is in the courtyard behind the Sheraton Hotel, amid the remains of the ancient town of Serdica. Three layers of frescoes have been discovered. The earliest dates back to the 10th century. Magnificent frescoes of 22 prophets over 2 meters tall crown the dome. There are also remains of a 2nd century street and other Byzantine ruins. At present the church is a museum.

     St. Sofia Church - The 4th-6th century basilica was built during the reign of Justinian. It has survived intact with 1600- year-old mosaic details and towards the end of the C14 gave the city its name. Beside the wall of the church is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Nearby is the grave of the national poet and writer Ivan Vazov, marked by an engraved boulder.

     Sofia University - St. Kliment Ohridski University is the oldest in Bulgaria and the largest and most advanced educational and research centre in the country. On both sides of the main entrance of the imposing Baroque-style building are the statues of the two brothers, Hristo and Evlogi Georgiev, who donated the land and money for the founding of the University in 1909. The French architect Breanson designed the main building, which is architecturally one of the most remarkable buildings in Sofia.

     The "Ivan Vazov" National Theatre is the capital's other emblem. The theatre was named after the greatest Bulgarian poet and writer Ivan Vazov. Designed in the style of German classicism, it contains many elements of the then fashionable Secession style. Along the facade of this majestic building six columns support a large triangular pediment, decorated with mythological high reliefs. To the sides, two towers rise up, topped by sculptures of the Goddess Nike. Two balconies and 850 seats in the 8 pits flank the hall. Two chamber stages are in operation - one with 150 seats and the other with 100.

     The National History Museum undoubtedly has the finest collection. It was assembled in 1981 to celebrate 1300 years of the Bulgarian State. Thracian gold treasures are spaciously displayed, often singly, so they can be fully appreciated. Artefacts such as bas-reliefs, ceramics and silverware reveal the achievements of the medieval capitals, and there is a strong collection of material from the National Revival period, including folk costumes, carpets and domestic items.The museum covers the whole period from prehistory to the present day. It houses relics from the earliest period up to the Middle Ages and includes gold and silver treasures (the Panagyurishte treasure), ceramics and archaeological remains. It also concentrates on the ecclesiastical art of the 19th century Bulgarian National Revival, including folk costumes, carpets and typically furnished rooms from that period.

     The National Art Gallery was established in 1948 in the western wing of the former palace. Today, it has more than 12,000 exhibits featuring works by the most prominent 19th and 20th-century Bulgarian artists such as painters Zahari Zograph, Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora, Tzanko Lavrenov, and sculptor Andrei Nikolov. The display halls are spacious with red velvet-covered walls, huge crystal mirrors, rococo plaster of Paris ornaments and multicoloured marble fireplaces. Unfortunately, the faded decor and hanging ceiling plaster nostalgically evoke a bygone era rather than suitably complement the artwork. The south-facing wing is in appreciably better condition, its bright halls providing an uplifting venue for temporary exhibits of modern graphics, sketches and watercolours.

     The National Palace of Culture is located in the very heart of the capital, amidst a beautiful park with a magnificent view of the Vitosha Mountain in the background. The 16 halls, with a seating capacity ranging from 50 to 4,000, are equipped with modern technology, providing simultaneous interpretation in 14 languages, a press centre, phone, fax, telex, and e-mail. A number of cafes, bars, restaurants, night-clubs, a bowling alley and shops offer facilities to the guests. The National Palace of Culture is the largest multifunctional complex in southeastern Europe, member of ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association), AIPC (International Association of Congress Palaces), BCB (Bulgarian Convention Bureau).

     Nezavisimost Square - Just across the street is the Largo. On one side is The Central Department store, on the other is the former Communist Party Building, now bereft of its red star and to the right - the Presidency, to the left - the Council of Ministers.

     The Earth and Man National Museum was founded in 1986. The unique mineralogical museum houses more than 20,000 samples collected all over the world which are represented by 3,500 exhibits grouped in 7 permanent expositions (Giant Crystals, Earth Minerals, Mineral Resources, Mineral Resources of Bulgaria, Precious Stones and Materials). The museum has a collection of 1155 mineral kinds and 234 mineral variations. Companies and private individuals have donated over 70% of the exhibits.

     The Boyana Church (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List)- Frescoes are claimed to be among the oldest and most interesting examples of East European medieval art. The oldest part of the church dates back to the early 11th century. The most attractive part of the monument are the murals done in 1259. The frescoes are rich in tone. The artist skilfully combines the requirements of iconographical canons with real life. 89 scenes are depicted, containing 240 human images.

     Sofia is a city which Nature has endowed with a very favourable geographic location. Vitosha Mountain is on the south part of the town. Few European capital cities can boast the proximity of a high mountain. Most of Sofia's streets are dominated by the view of Vitosha Mountain, a huge granite mass with wooded lower slopes. It is treated by the people of Sofia as part of the capital, indeed it can be reached quickly either by car or public transport. There are marked trails for walkers, who can admire wild flowers or an unusual natural phenomenon, the moraine - an apparently dry river made up of massive boulders. Some people bring picnics, but there are also several good hotels and restaurants, and many chalets. There are also good conditions for skiers - from December to late spring.

     Parks in Sofia

     The main park in Sofia is the Vitosha park, which covers a large part of the mountain. The central park of Sofia is the Borissova gradina (The Garden of Boris). At the very beginning of the park is the Ariana lake, where water wheels are available from spring to late autumn. Further inside the park are numerous tennis courts, a cycle - racing track, the "Bulgarian Army" soccer stadium and the "Vasil Levski" National stadium. The Municipal City GardenGarden is situated in the capital's ideal center opposite to the Sofia Municipal Gallery. In front of the National Theatre there are fountains with a sculpture of a female dancer. Yuzhen park (the Southern park) is the second largest park after the Borissova gradina. It extend from "Ivan Vazov" quarter to the "Hladilnika" quarter. Numerous children's playgrounds are included in its territory. The "Spartak" swimming and sport center is an attractive place for open - air celebrations organized by the Sofia Municipality. Zapaden park (the Western park) is close to the "Zaharna Fabrica" quarter and the beginning of the "Lyulin" residential area. Several catering and spot establishments are available in it and there is enough space for walks and games.

     Accommodation

     Sofia has a sufficient number of luxury, first class and lower category hotels, private lodgings and tourist hostels. The 5-star hotels are Sheraton, Hilton, Radisson, Hrankov, and Kempinsky-Zografsky. 4-star hotels are the Sofia Princess Hotel, Rodina, Maria Louisa, TBS Ambassador, Gloria Palace, while the remaining are 3-, 2- and 1-star hotels.

     Catering

     Most of the hotels listed above have restaurants, sandwich and snack buffets, snack-bars, and some also have night clubs and discotheques. Sofia offers an exclusive variety of snack-bars, small restaurants, pizzerias, national cuisine diners, foreign cuisine restaurants, self-service restaurants, fast food places, open-air sandwich, toaster, burgers, falafel stalls, luxurious restaurants, wine cellars and clubs. Economy travel tourists will be catered for no more than 20 Leva per day - one can have lunch in a pizzeria or a small restaurant, plus a glass of wine. There are places of medium category for tourists of better means where some 60 Leva per day will be sufficient. Their price lists are translated into English as a rule, they have waiters and the atmosphere is very good. Food will cost about 90 Leva a-day in the restaurants of higher category. Gastronomes ordering delicacies and specialities, as well as brand drinks will need more than 100 Leva daily.
     Most of the catering establishments are situated downtown. Outside its limits these restaurants and pizzerias in small streets or in the larger streets and boulevards are well visible and have the respective ad labels. As a rule restaurants are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. PM; snack bars will open from 8 a.m. to 8.p.m.; pizzerias and fast-food restaurants may work even till 12 p.m. There are 24-hour restaurants, small stalls for local breakfasts (boza - millet-ale, yoghurt, buttermilk, cheese pasties, buns and patties, pretzels, etc.) open from 6 a.m. till 6 p.m.


     Transport

     Sofia is the largest transport junction of the country. The destinations of transport segments are numerous, and the routes and stopovers - most varied. The maps, which provide a general idea of the road network and railway transport, show the main overland communication lines between Sofia and the rest of the inhabited places in the country.
     City transport in Sofia offers wide opportunities and it is difficult to describe it without a city plan. Every tourist should buy a detailed city map-plan of Sofia showing not only the lines but also the stops of the city transport. As of 1998 Sofia has one subway line; dozens of bus lines connect the capital with near-by settlements, as well as covering shorter distances in the city itself; trolley buses travel in many directions; trams cut across the entire city. Fixed-route taxi minibuses serve the more outlying quarters. Rent-a-car companies offer their services as well. A ticket for the city transport costs 0.50 Leva, for the fixed-route taxi - 1 Lev.

     Surrounding Areas

     Most conspicuous to the visitors of Sofia are the mountains, which encircle the Sofia plain. Vitosha, Lyulin and Plana are interesting places that worth to be seen. Lyulin mountain is situated south - west of the capital, 3 km. from the ring road. Now virtually a part of the city, it is a good place for outgoings, picnics and walks. Bosnovy poliani ( Bons glades) are the most frequented place in the mountain.
     Plana mountain also offers interesting sights for tourists. It is situated at about 10 km. south of the capital and can be reached by municipal bus transport or by car along the road to Samokov. Most frequently visited is the Kokalyane monastery, built in the 10 th century by tsar Samuil. Beautiful frescoes and mural decorate the church built after Russian patterns. Pancharevo lake is about 15 km. from the capital and is situated next to the Pancharevo village. The lake when is full is about 5 km. long and 1 km. wide. It is suitable for recreation, sunbathing, fishing, water sports and swimming. Rowing and water - ski competitions are frequently organized here. The Iskar dam is another large artificial water reservoir near Sofia. It lies 25 km. south of the city.
     Within the Vitosha's limits the most interesting landmarks are the Boyana church and the Dragalevski Monastery. They were built in the XIII th and the XIV th century respectively and are considered the forerunners of the European Renaissance. The Vranya Residence and its small lake are situated along the very ring road. The place used to be a residence of the late tsar Boris III. Today the place is used only in the summer. Bankya is 22 km. from the capital. The town is a balneological center for cardiovascular and pulmonary ailments. It can be reached by bus or by a regular railway line. Wonderful place for picnic and tourist outgoings surrounds it.
     The Kremikovski Monastery is located 30 km. north of Sofia. The Kourilo Monastery stand at the mouth of the Iskar Gorge near the Kourilo village, 18 km. from the capital. It can be reached by the road to Mezdra or by passenger train on the line connecting Sofia with Northern Bulgaria. The church was built and painted in the XV th century.

     Climate and Vegetation

     The city's micro climate is characterized by continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. The average January temperature in Sofia ranges from -4°C to 2°C and the July temperature ranges from 16°C to 27°C and above 30 °C in last five years.
     The continental climate conditions determine strong winter and very dry and warm summer. That is the reason of the existing variety of cold-resistant species. There are inappropriate conditions for cultivation of trees with cold and freeze spring. The most sensitive towards severe cold weather species are redwood tree (Sequoia sempervirens), Japanese red cedar (Criptomeria japonica), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Indian bean tree (Catalpa bignonioides), walnut tree (Juglans regia), peach tree and plane tree (Platanus orientalis ). Soil conditions are very important factor for the growth of plant in urban areas. Main type of soil in Sofia is chernozem.

     Geographical Location and Natural Conditions

     The Bulgarian capital Sofia (population: 1 182 698 inhabitants) is located in the Sofiisko pole, 550 m above the sea level and occupies a territory of 1, 311 sq. km. Sofia lies at the distance of 55 km. from the Serbian border at Kalotino checkpoint, at 113 km from the Gyushevo checkpoint with Macedonia, at 183 km. from the Greek border at Kaulata, at 315 km. from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andeevo and at 324km. from Rouse. The capital Sofia is linked by international routes with the capitals of Europe, and via Istanbul and Ankara, with the Middle East.
     Sofia has 24 administrative and territorial districts and 34 mayor-led councils. The territory of the Sofia municipality includes the areas of 3 towns - Bankya, Novi Iskar, Buhovo, and 34 villages. Their construction activities and development were co-ordinated with the construction plans of the capital which were legally recognised in 1961.
     Sofia is Bulgaria`s political, economical, industrial, educational and cultural hearth. It is a thriving city that has been developing at unbroken swift rates in recent years and has started to attract much investment and development, particularly from overseas.