► Sofia is the capital and Sofia is the capital and largest city of the Republic largest city of the Republic of Bulgaria, with a of Bulgaria, with a population of 1,870,010 population of 1,870,010 (making it the 7th largest (making it the 7th largest city in the European Union), city in the European Union), and some 2,147,450 in the and some 2,147,450 in the metropolitan area, the metropolitan area, the Capital Municipality. It is Capital Municipality. It is located in western Bulgaria, located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of the mountain at the foot of the mountain massif Vitosha, and is the massif Vitosha, and is the administrative, cultural, administrative, cultural, economic, and educational economic, and educational centre of the country.centre of the country.

GeographyGeography► Sofia's development as a significant settlement owes much to Sofia's development as a significant settlement owes much to

its central position in the Balkans. It is situated in western its central position in the Balkans. It is situated in western Bulgaria, at the northern foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the Bulgaria, at the northern foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the Sofia Valley that is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The Sofia Valley that is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The valley is the largest one in the country with territory of 1,186 valley is the largest one in the country with territory of 1,186 square kilometres (457.9 sq mi) and average altitude of 550 square kilometres (457.9 sq mi) and average altitude of 550 metres (1,804 ft). Three mountain passes lead to the city, metres (1,804 ft). Three mountain passes lead to the city, which have been key roads since antiquity, connecting the which have been key roads since antiquity, connecting the Adriatic Sea and Central Europe with the Black and Aegean Adriatic Sea and Central Europe with the Black and Aegean Seas.Seas.

► A number of low rivers cross the city, including the Vladaiska A number of low rivers cross the city, including the Vladaiska and the Perlovska. The Iskar River in its upper course flows and the Perlovska. The Iskar River in its upper course flows near eastern Sofia. The city is known for its numerous mineral near eastern Sofia. The city is known for its numerous mineral and thermal springs. Artificial and dam lakes were built in the and thermal springs. Artificial and dam lakes were built in the last century.last century.

HIstoryHIstory AntiquityAntiquity Around AD 29, Serdica was conquered by the Romans. It became a municipium, or Around AD 29, Serdica was conquered by the Romans. It became a municipium, or

centre of an administrative region, during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117)and centre of an administrative region, during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117)and was renamed Ulpia Serdica.was renamed Ulpia Serdica.

It seems that the first written mention of Serdica was made by Ptolemy (around 100 It seems that the first written mention of Serdica was made by Ptolemy (around 100 AD).AD).

Serdica (Sardica) expanded, as turrets, protective walls, public baths, administrative Serdica (Sardica) expanded, as turrets, protective walls, public baths, administrative and cult buildings, a civic basilica, an amphitheatre - the City Council (Boulé), a large and cult buildings, a civic basilica, an amphitheatre - the City Council (Boulé), a large Forum, a big Circus (Theatre) etc. were built. When Emperor Diocletian divided the Forum, a big Circus (Theatre) etc. were built. When Emperor Diocletian divided the province of Dacia into Dacia Ripensis (at the banks of the Danube) and Dacia province of Dacia into Dacia Ripensis (at the banks of the Danube) and Dacia Mediterranea, Serdica became the capital of Dacia Mediterranea. The city Mediterranea, Serdica became the capital of Dacia Mediterranea. The city subsequently expanded for a century and a half, it became a significant political and subsequently expanded for a century and a half, it became a significant political and economical centre, moreso - it became one of the first roman cities where economical centre, moreso - it became one of the first roman cities where Christianity was recognized as an official religion (Еmperor Galerius). So it was only Christianity was recognized as an official religion (Еmperor Galerius). So it was only very natural that Constantine the Great called Serdica (Sardica) "My Rome".very natural that Constantine the Great called Serdica (Sardica) "My Rome".

Serdica was of moderate size, but magnificent as an urban concept of planning and Serdica was of moderate size, but magnificent as an urban concept of planning and architecture, with abundant amusements and an active social life. It flourished during architecture, with abundant amusements and an active social life. It flourished during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, when it was surrounded with great fortress the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, when it was surrounded with great fortress walls whose remnants can still be seen today.walls whose remnants can still be seen today.

The city was destroyed by the Huns in 447 but was rebuilt by Justinian and for a while The city was destroyed by the Huns in 447 but was rebuilt by Justinian and for a while called Triaditsa.called Triaditsa.

Sofia has been a centre of Christianity since the times of the Roman Empire Sofia has been a centre of Christianity since the times of the Roman Empire

Middle Ages Middle Ages From the 12th to the 14th From the 12th to the 14th

century, Sofia was a thriving century, Sofia was a thriving centre of trade and crafts. It is centre of trade and crafts. It is possible that it has been called by possible that it has been called by the common population Sofia the common population Sofia (meaning "wisdom" in (meaning "wisdom" in AncientGreek) about 1376 after AncientGreek) about 1376 after the Church of St. Sofia. However, the Church of St. Sofia. However, in different testimonies it was in different testimonies it was called both "Sofia" and "Sredets" called both "Sofia" and "Sredets" until the end of the 19th century. until the end of the 19th century. In 1382 Sofia was seized by the In 1382 Sofia was seized by the Ottoman Empire in the course of Ottoman Empire in the course of the Bulgarian-Ottoman Wars - the Bulgarian-Ottoman Wars - after a long siege the city was after a long siege the city was captured with treason. The new captured with treason. The new name - Sofia, replaced the old one name - Sofia, replaced the old one - Sredets, after the liberation of - Sredets, after the liberation of the city from Turkish rule in 1878. the city from Turkish rule in 1878. Quite a time after 1878 there was Quite a time after 1878 there was a strong will, expressed by a strong will, expressed by Bulgarian committees, to keep the Bulgarian committees, to keep the name Sredets, but the Russian name Sredets, but the Russian administration accepted Sofia.administration accepted Sofia.

Ottoman ruleOttoman rule After the campaign of Władysław III After the campaign of Władysław III

of Poland in 1443 towards Sofia, the of Poland in 1443 towards Sofia, the city's Christian elite was annihilated city's Christian elite was annihilated and became the capital of the and became the capital of the Ottoman province (beylerbeylik) of Ottoman province (beylerbeylik) of Rumelia for more than 4 centuries, Rumelia for more than 4 centuries, which encouraged many Turks to which encouraged many Turks to settle there. In the 16th century settle there. In the 16th century Sofia's appearance became more Sofia's appearance became more Oriental with many mosques, Oriental with many mosques, fountains and hamams fountains and hamams (bathhouses).(bathhouses).

End of Ottoman RuleEnd of Ottoman Rule Sofia was taken by Russian forces Sofia was taken by Russian forces

on 4 January 1878, during the on 4 January 1878, during the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78, and Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78, and became the capital of the became the capital of the autonomous Principality of Bulgaria autonomous Principality of Bulgaria in 1879, which became Kingdom of in 1879, which became Kingdom of Bulgaria in 1908. It was proposed Bulgaria in 1908. It was proposed for capital by Marin Drinov and was for capital by Marin Drinov and was accepted as such on 3 April 1879. accepted as such on 3 April 1879. By the time of its liberation the By the time of its liberation the population of the was 11,649.[5] For population of the was 11,649.[5] For a few decades after the liberation a few decades after the liberation the city experienced a large the city experienced a large population growth mainly from population growth mainly from other regions of the country.other regions of the country.

Tourist attractionsTourist attractionsSome of Sofia's popular tourist Some of Sofia's popular tourist

attractions include among others:attractions include among others:

The early Byzantine Church of St The early Byzantine Church of St Sophia, built in the 6th century.Sophia, built in the 6th century.

The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built in the early 20th century in memory of the 200,000 Russian soldiers, who died in the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878

St Nedelya Church

The tiny Church of St Petka of the Saddlers from the 14th century featuring some fine frescoes.

The Banya Bashi Mosque, built in the 16th century.

The Sofia Synagogue, the largest in the Balkans.

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre.

The National Palace of Culture cultural and congressional centre — the largest multifunctional complex in Southeastern Europe, inaugurated in 1981 and situated in a lush green park surroundings.

The Monument to the Tsar Liberator commemorating Alexander II of Russia.

Vitosha mountainVitosha mountain

Vitosha mountain, one of the symbols of Sofia, just a short drive or lift trip away, open year round. Ski and snowboard are popular in the winter, and hiking in the summer.