Sofia Bulgarian: is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Bulgaria, with a population of 1,270,010 (making it the 14th largest city in the European Union), and some 1,386,702 in the metropolitan area, the Capital Municipality.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. One of the oldest cities in Europe, the history of Serdica-Sredets-Sofia can be traced back some 7000 years ago - prehistoric settlements were excavated in the centre of the present city - near the Zar's Palace, as well as in the suburbia like Slatina and Obelia. The well preserved town walls(especially - their substructures) from antiquity date back before the 7th century BC, when Thracians established their city next to the most important and highly respected mineral spring, still functioning today. Sofia has had several names in the different periods of its existence, and remnants of the city's millenary history can still be seen today alongside modern landmarks.

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Additional Information

Sofia's development as a significant settlement owes much to its central position in the Balkans. It is situated in western Bulgaria, at the northern foot of the Vitosha mountain, in 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 square kilometres (457.9 sq mi) and average altitude of 550 metres (1,804 ft). Three mountain passes lead to the city, which have been key roads since antiquity, connecting the Adriatic Sea and Central Europe with the Black and Aegean Seas.

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

It is located 150 km (90 miles) northwest of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city, 390 km west of Burgas, 472 km (294 miles) west of Varna, Bulgaria's major port-cities on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. The city is situted at less than 200 kilometres (124 mi) from the borders with three countries: 55 kilometres (34 mi) from Kalotina on the Serbian border, 113 kilometres (70 mi) from Gyueshevo on the frontier with the Republic of Macedonia and 183 kilometres (114 mi) from the Greek border at Kulata.

Places of special interest:
The city also offers many places of special interest such as the Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library (which houses the largest national book collection and is Bulgaria's oldest cultural institute), the Sofia State Library, the British Council, the Russian Cultural Institute, the Polish Cultural Institute, the Hungarian Institute, the Czech and the Slovak Cultural Institutes, the Italian Cultural Institute, the French Cultural Institute, Goethe Institut, Instituto Cervantes, and the Open Society Institute. Families with children used to be able to enjoy Sofia Land, the nearly nine-acre amusement park adjacent to the Sofia Zoological Garden (founded in 1888). Unfortunately the park was closed in 2006.

Sofia currently enjoys a booming film industry as the filming ground of several international film productions. Vitosha Boulevard, also called Vitoshka - ranked as the world's 22nd most expensive commercial street - represents numerous fashion boutiques and luxury goods stores and features exhibitions by world fashion designers. Sofia's geographic location, situated in the foothills of the weekend retreat Vitosha mountain, further adds to the city's specific atmosphere.


TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:
Some of Sofia's popular tourist attractions include among others:

Religious Sites:

The late Roman Church of St George (4th century), situated in the courtyard of the Sheraton Sofia Hotel.

The early Byzantine Church of St 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 Russian Church, Sofia (Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker), built in 1914

Museums and Galleries:

The Bulgarian National Historical Museum, noteworthy for its Thracian treasures.

The National Archaeological Museum.

The National Gallery of Foreign Art.

Miscellaneous Places Of Culture:

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre.

The outdoor book-market on Slaveykov Square.

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.

Outdoor Sights:

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

Sofia's central boulevards paved with Viennese yellow cobblestones.

Vitosha MountainVitosha 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. Borisova gradina, Sofia's main and oldest garden, the construction of which began in 1884.

Other places of interest:

Sofia Public Mineral Baths, decorated with the finest majolica tiles and completed in 1911.

TZUM, Sofia's oldest and largest department store.

The Largo, an architectural complex in downtown Sofia which includes the headquarters of many national institutions Sofia Zoo.