Bulgarian Regions
Sofia
Sofia’s motto is: “Ever Growing, Never Ageing! “
Location: The capital of the Republic of Bulgaria is the city of Sofia (1 096 389 inhabitants, 550 meters above sea level). The city lies in the Sofia Plain, enclosed by The Balkan Mountains to the North, Losen Mountain to the southeast, mountain Vitosha to the south, Lyulin Mountain to the southwest. The plain is open to the north-west in the direction of Yugoslavia, and to the southeast to the Thracian Lowland. Sofia is situated 55 km from Yugoslav border at Kalotina checkpoint, 113 km from Gyueshevo checkpoint with Macedonia, 183 km from the Greek border at Koulata, 315 km from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo, 211 km from the Romanian border at Vidin, 324 km from Rousse, 392 km from our maritime border at Bourgas port, and 470 km from Varna port. In close proximity to the capital city lie Pancharevo Lake and Iskar Dam.
Iskar River flows by the city, and several smaller rivers cross the city, the most popular of these being Vladay and Perlova Rivers. Sofia is linked by international routes with the capitols of Europe, and via Istanbul and Ankara, with the Middle East.
History: Sofia is a city with a 7000-year history, which makes it a unique phenomenon in Europe, and places it among the settlements dating from archaic ages.
To this very day excavations in Sofia downtown bring up objects of Neolithic man, remnants of the Stone and Bronze Era. The reason why the settlements arose so early is the abundance of thermal springs in Sofia Plain. They cluster mainly around today’s city center – near the old-times mineral baths, near the Presidency Building, in the Lozenats Quarter, And in Gorna Banya and Knyazhevo Quarters. The water temperature varies from 21C and 42C to they are curative, because of the significant amount of ions mineral salts dissolved in them. The first known tribes to settle in the plain were the Thracians from the tribe of Serdi. They gave Sofia’s first name - Serdica. 
Around 500 BC another tribe settled here, the Odrissi, known as an ethos having a kingdom of their own. For a short period during the 4th BC the city was in the possession of Phillip of Macedonia and of his son Alexander the Great. As late as in the year 29 AD Sofia was conquered by the roman legions and during the reign of Emperor Trayan (98-117) became an administrative centre. It was given the name of Ulpia Serdica as a municipium, i.e. an administrative centre. Construction on the territory of the city intensified – turrets, protective walls, public baths, administrative and cult buildings, a civic basilica and a large amphitheatre, called bulevterion were built. In the 2nd century AD Sofia became a centre of the Lower Dacia Province. It subsequently expanded for a century and a half, so that Constantine the Great came to call it “my Rome“. 
The city was of moderate size, but magnificent as an urban concept of planning and architecture, abundant in amusements and of active social life. The city flourished during the reign of Emperor Justinian when it was surrounded by great fortress walls, remains of which can be seen even today.
Fully preserved and well restored now is the Roman Rotunda, transformed into the Early Christian Church of St. George it now stands behind the Sheraton Hotel. Attila took the city by storm in the 5th century. After his death the Byzantine Empire recovered it. It remained part of the Eastern Roman till early 9th century AD. When the kingdom of Danubian Bulgaria was founded in 681 AD, many Bulgarian khans coveted Serdika. But it was only in the year 809 that khan Kroum succeeded in conquering and including it in the Bulgarian territory. The new name of the city was changed to Sredets, which in the parlance of that time meant “middle, central part, centre“. 
Actually its location gave it all grounds to be considered the centre of the Balkan Peninsula. The city existed until the year 1081 AD when Bulgarian lands fell under Byzantine rule and it was renamed Tryiaditsa, which meant “ between mountains “.
After 1194the city regained its former name. The city was repeatedly besieged and attacked by Magyars, Serbs and Crusaders. After the liberation of Bulgaria from Byzantine rule it was re-included in the territories of the country. St. Sofia Church, which stands to this day next to St. Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, gave the city its present-day name.
Sofia quickly expanded and became a centre of crafts and trade. New buildings and numerous churches were built in the city and the neighboring villages, the best known of these is Boyana church. Sofia fell under Ottoman rule in 1382. In some documents of that time the city was described as a place of particular charm, which evoked the admiration of conquerors.
Irrespective of that, The Turkish authorities’ neglect rapidly changed the appearance of the city. Christian churches derelict and started ruining, while Turkish administration buildings, mosques, public baths and covered markets rose in their place. The five centuries of Ottoman rule changed Sofia beyond recognition. Only recent excavations open to the world the true picture of the city such as it was during its eventful history along the centuries. Few buildings of the Ottoman period are preserved today. The Turkish administration recognized the advantageous location of Sofia as a crossroad and important centre of Balkan Peninsula, and the city’s development as crafts and market centre was promoted.
During the 17th century it grew into the largest marketplace of the Balkans, and in the 18th century a stone-paved road linked it with Europe and Asia Minor.
During the 19th century the first railway crossing the Balkans reached Sofia as part of the famous Orient Express. Sofia became the administrative centre of a sandzhak, large administrative unit of key importance to the Ottoman Empire. After Serbia was liberated in the 19th century, Sofia Sandzhak remained on the border. The city was repeatedly attacked and plundered by kurdzalii (Turkish brigands), who periodically devastated its surrounding settlements.
During the Bulgarian Revival and the struggle for liberation, The Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski considered Sofia as one of the centres of a future uprising and created revolutionary committees in the city. By an irony of the fate, after his arrest he was brought to Sofia, where he was sentenced and hanged in 1873.
Sofia was liberated from the Ottoman rule on 4th January 1878. At the time the city had the
population of only 12 000, but its favourable strategic location made it suitable for a capital and on the 4th of April 1879 Sofia was proclaimed the capital city of the Principality of Bulgaria.
In a couple of years the population increased nearly tenfold, the outlook of the city radically changed; the Turkish soukatsi ( narrow muddy streets) were supplanted by paved and planned streets, administrative buildings, churches, and schools were erected public gardens laid out, a modern sewerage and water-supply system was installed, and so were telegraph and telephone lines. Sofia took on the appearance of an European city, although numerous features of the East remained. During the 20-es of the 20th century Sofia acquired a more European outlook. 
It developed into a truly modern city of unique charm during the reign of Tsar Boris III, when the construction of houses and the buildings in modern, Art Nouveau (Secession), Bauhaus, Neo-Classicism and European Eclecticism styles flourished. Today the centre of Sofia and the quarter between Lulov Most (Lions’ Bridge) and the Sheraton Hotel abound in buildings from the first half of the 20th century. The small streets and gas-burning street lights were preserved until nearly World War II. US planes bombed the city during the war, causing some damage of the downtown area.
At that time Bulgaria was an ally of Nazi Germany. During 30-es and 40-es Sofia became the scene of workers’ strikes, political rallies and demonstrations but also a prominent centre of culture, science and arts.
Changes in the political life in the wake of 9th of September 1944 reflected strongly on the outlook of Sofia. Buildings in urbanistic and Stalinist style were constructed, the most prominent of which is the central complex consisting of the Communist party Building, Balkan Hotel and TZUM central Department Store. Today the Building of Balkan Hotel now houses one of the well - known chain of Sheraton Hotels. 
The presidency of the country occupies its adjoining building. TZUM has been radically refurnished, and the adjacent building houses the Ministerial Council. The building of the former royal palace houses the exposition of the National Art Gallery. Sofia has become the country’s leading industrial centre, with one sixth of the industry of Bulgaria concentrated around it, and housing one eight of the population, the country’s political and cultural elite, the entire state capitol.
Nowadays Sofia is a very placid place to live in. Changes in its appearance are imminent. Restitution is under way, old buildings are returned to their owners, new buildings and shops emerge, private companies establish themselves on the market.
The city is in constant flux, under way is gradual restoration of its intransient and architectural monuments, which make it a typically European city with ancient culture, impressive present and bright future.
Places of Interest: Several buildings and venues vie for Sofia’s emblem. The most frequent image is of the impressive edifice of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Memorial Church. The temple is the central patriarch’s cathedral of the autonomous Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It was completed in 1912 after a design of The Russian architect Pomerantsev, approved by the 1st Great National Assembly. The church rises on the area of 3170 sq. m.
The altar and the patriarch’s throne are cut of multi-coloured Italian marble; 13 Bulgarian and 32 Russian and Czech masters made the wood-carvings, cut the stone bas-reliefs and ornaments, painted the fresoes and the icons. The belfry rises to a height of 50.52 meters; the central dome is gold-plated with a massive gold cross on the top.
The Crypt of the cathedral houses a collection of masterpieces of Bulgarian icon painting. Visitors can enjoy the exhibited more than 200 icons and frescos. A souvenir shop sells copies of some of the famous icons, post cards, albums and folders. A remarkable sight is the square around the cathedral, where the Monument to the Unknown Soldier with eternal burning flame is located. An open-air market of national costumes, embroidery and hand-knitted ware and garment and a small antiquarian and art exposition enliven the square. Part of the same square is occupied by St. Sofia Church, dating back from the 4th-6th century AD, which gave the name of the city. In the end of the 16th century it was transformed into a mosque for a short time, but soon after the Liberation it was again sanctified as an Orthodox Church. Already restored, the church is open to visitors. Regrettably few of the frescoes have been preserved, but some rare icons are still in existence. A valuable exhibit kept in the church is a lock of hair of The Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski. Behind the church is the grave of Ivan Vazov (1850-1921), the patriarch of Bulgarian literature. A monument of the poet rises in the small garden in front of the church.
In the eastern part of the square rises the building of St. St. Cyril and Methodius Foundation, which houses the National Gallery of Foreign Arts. It contains unique exhibitions of art from Africa, Asia and Europe, Spanish baroque paintings, some Rembrandts, and tableaux by the modern painter Nikolai Roerich.
Opposite to the south of it rises the building of the Academy of Arts, where future artists study icon-painting, restoration of old works of art, painting, sculpture, stage design etc. The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is the capital’s other emblem. The theatre was founded in 1904, and its building was completed in 1907. Designed in the style of German classicism, it contains many then fashionable Secession style. The interior was twice renewed, once after the fire in the theatre in 1923, and once during the 1970-1976 period. 
The hall is flanked by two balconies and there are 850 seats. Two chamber stages are in operation; the one with 150 seats the other with 100. The theatre employs some of the country’s best actors and stage directors, many of whom enjoy popularity all over Europe.
The edifice of the National Assembly (build in 1884) is the first rightful candidate for the city’s emblem. A motto inscribed on its main facade reads “Union makes Strength” –a key element of the coat of the arms of the Republic of Bulgaria. Opposite its building is the monument of the King Liberator of Bulgaria (inaugurated in 1905)- The Russian Tsar Aleksander II.
To the west of the parliament building is the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences founded in 1869, and to the east across a small garden the 
St. Kliment of Ohrid University of Sofia, founded in 1888 (and built in 1920 with personal donations by the brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi, whose statues flank the parade entrance of the university)-Bulgaria’s older higher school. The mausoleum of Battenberg is near the university. The Russian church St. Nikolai is remarkable with its pointed golden cross. It was built in the years of 1912-1914 by Russian emigrants to Bulgaria. The interior of the church contains wonderful majolica ornaments, Russian-style icons among with stands out the icon of St. Nikolai Chudotvorets (the Wonder-worker) from the Kiev-Pechora Monastery.
Next to it to the east is the Museum of Natural Science, with its unique collections of stuffed live flora and fauna species. Visitors show particular interest in the bazaar where they can purchase small rabbits, nutria, parrots, hamsters, canaries and other household pets.
The National Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum are housed in the former royal palace. It was built on 1873. During the reign of Prince Aleksander Battenberg the building was entirely reconstructed on the exterior and inside in the Art Nouveau (Secession) style, with elements of New-Rococo and Baroque. 
Expensive and unique wooden pieces furniture were arranged in the palace rooms. The National Art Gallery exhibits a collection of well over 12 000 works of art, the oldest dating back from the 18th century. The Bulgarian classical masters of painting and sculpture are represented with their most mature works. The National Ethnographic Museum exhibits a wealth of collections of National costumes, hand-made works of art from Bulgarian people’s daily life, tools dating from three or four centuries ago, jewellery, tissues, embroidery and other articles of typical national folk art.
The exhibits include scale models of Bulgarian houses and life amenities in them, masks and costumes of the festive Bulgarian calendar rites from different ethnographic regions of the country. At the museum and the gallery there are two stands for souvenirs where one can purchase cards, albums, icons, folk music recordings, hand-made articles imitating originals of national art. Other exhibitions are often displayed in the building of the former Royal palace, to fill in the vacant spaces of the impressive place. Opposite to it in diagonal rises the building of the Bulgarian National Bank. Right next to it, a former Turkish mosque built on top of the ruins of a Christian Church destroyed by the Ottomans, houses today’s Archeological Museum. 
Downtown in the interior courtyard of the Presidency and Sheraton Hotel rises the famous Roman Rotunda, transformed into St.Georgi Church during the 4th century AD. Recently restored, it stands at for its simple and exquisite architecture, the expressive remnants of frescoes and the entire complex of ruins behind the altar. Quite imposing as well are the ruins in the underpass opposite to the Presidency, north of TZUM, in the ground-level of Sofia Shop (currently under reconstruction) in Central Hali Square, etc. The square around the central Hali building is also noted for its sights. The Hali (1911) were a cover market from the beginning of the century.
Today after being reconstructed, they are a useful facility as well as an attractive place for shopping and spending some time at a cup of coffee. The mosque (1576) is in the square, the public bath (1913) is to the east, the ruins of the Roman fortress of Serdica with the corner turrets are to the north, the Synagogue (1909) is situated west of the Hali. St. Petka Samardzhiiska Church is located in the underpass of TZUM (south of the Hali). Vasil Levski was probably buried there, according to the hypothesis. Almost completely dug into the ground, today the whole of it is outstanding. 
There are attractive coffee bars and other catering establishments in the underpass, as well as many souvenir shops. Numerous monuments adorn Sofia, and the most popular and honoured by all Bulgarians is the obelisk to the Apostle of Freedom (of 1895), which rises on the spot of his execution.
The Russian Monument is an obelisk rising west of the city centre; it bears a ritten dedication to The Russian Tsar and the Russian warriors who gave their lives in the war for Bulgaria’s liberation.
The Doctors’ Monument, dedicated to the medical stuff of the Russian army who fell in the war, rises in the garden behind the National Library.
The monuments from the socialist years are more impressive and interesting as a detail of the country’s past. These are the Monument of the Soviet Army, south of the University Building and the Monument of Freedom in the easternmost part of the Borisova Gradina Park, crowned by a big obelisk.
The monument of Saint brothers Cyril and Methodius who created Bulgarian Alphabet rises in front of the National Library. Numerous busts of leaders of Bulgarian Revival adorn the alleys of Borisova Gradina Park, as well as effigies of poets, writers and revolutionaries.
Two of the most popular bridges in Sofia could well be counted among the capital’s monumental spots. Luvov Most (Lions’ Bridge) (formerly known as Sharen Bridge-the motley crowd bridge) over Vladaiska River lies north of the city centre in the direction of the Central Railway Station. Four lions stay on high pedestals. Orlov Most (Eagles’ Bridge) over Perlovska River lies in the beginning of Tsarigradsko Shaussee Boulevard, which is the road to Plovdiv and Istanbul. Four bronze eagles, facing the four directions of the world, are mounted on 12-metre pylons. The Borisova Gradina Park begins from that bridge, stretching to the south-east. Among the sights of Sofia one could place the streets Graf Ignatiev, Rakovski, and Vitosha Boulevard. Graf Ignatiev Street runs from east to west. It starts at Perlovski Bridge, adorned in the sculptures of workers and peasants demonstrating the amity between the Bulgarian and the Russian peoples. 
Numerous shops line the street on both sides up to the crossing with Patriarch Evtimii Boulevard and Vasil Levski Boulevard where rises a monument to Patriarch Evtimii-a man of letters and spiritual leader of the 14th century. Proceeding west, one comes to a small garden with St. Sedmochislenitsi (St. St. Cyril and Methodius and their Five Disciples) Church. Further west after crossing with Rakovski Street we come to Slaveykov Square.
Here, in front of the city library is arranged the largest open-air book market of Sofia. Recently the old three-tier bronze fountain was restored. In the spring of 2000 an original monument was placed to two of the most prominent Bulgarian writers, poets and public figures-father and son Petko and Pencho Slaveykovs, in honour of whom the square was named.
One can sit for a while on the bench next to them and have his photo taken for keepsake. Author of the sculpture composition is Georgi Chapcunov- a prominent Bulgarian sculpturer, who has alsocreated the statue of St. Sofia (Opposite TZUM). Next come a couple of cinemas, company shops, photo studios buildings of interesting architecture.
Rakovski Street lies in the south-eastern direction and it is considered the longest street of Sofia. It starts in the north from the railway lines of Sofia Central Railway
Station, crosses Vladaiska River, and a few streets before Dondoukov Blvd. The street mounts steeply past the National Opera-a building, which also houses the National Ballet and the leadership of the Bulgarian Agrarian Party. The Opera house is in neo-classical style, and in front of it rises a monument of Alexander Stamboliiski, one of the founders of the Bulgarian Agrarian People’s Union and a prime-minister of Bulgaria (1919-1923). After the steep rise the street passes by the monument of Ivan Vazov in the left and the square in front of Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Furder south, at the crossing of Rouski Boulevard (Once called Tsarya)-or the boulevard chestnuts and yellow brick pavement-rises the Armed Forces Club Building. To the left along Rakovski Street there is a small garden with a monument of Stefan Stambolov ,
then comes to Sulza I Smyah Theatre, the Slavyanska Besseda Reading Club and Hotel (the former library and cultural centre of Sofia, with a 120 - year history), Theatre 199 and the house of Ivan Vazov. To the left along Rakovski Street there is the Theatre of the Army , the Ministry of Finance, the National Academy for Theatre and Film Art ( NAFTIZ Krustyu Sarafov); then a crossing left leads to the Theatre of Satire, followed by fashion, technology and flower shops, First City Hospital, The Indian Embassy and the French Foreign Language Secondary School. Numerous shops and restaurants adorn both sides of the street till its end at Perlovska River. Vitosha Boulevard starts north from the St. Nedelya Church. Buolevard has on both sides hundreds of shops and representative show windows and boutiques of high fashion and numerous exchange bureaus. At the beginning of the boulevard on the right hand side rises the Palace of Justice, one of the most imposing buildings in Sofia with its monumental granite staircase and two bronze lion figures on each side. 
Lots of shops follow on both sides and a park at the crossing of Patriarch Evtimii Blvd. The park ends at the Palace of Culture, which features 16 halls the largest of which seats a public of nearly 5000. Admirers of Bulgarian history could enjoy the exhibits in the National Museum of History , located in Boyana Quarter. Trolley-bus line N 2 or rout-taxi line N 21 links downtown to the museum. The Zoo (1, Sreburna Str.) is a favourite place of the youngest citizens of Sofia, as well as to the lots of visitors of the country.
Most popular in Sofia are:
Archeological Museum; Ethnographic Museum; National Museum of History; Boyana Church National Museum; The Earth and People National Museum; National Museum of Nature and Science; “Old Sofia” and the Sofia Museum of History;
Surrounding areas: Most conspicuous to the guests of Sofia are the mountains, which encircle Sofia Plain. Vitosha, Lyulin and Plana Mountains are interesting and full of sights worth visiting.
VITOSHA is the most visited Bulgarian mountain. Its highest peak is Mt. Cherni Vruh (The Black Peak), 2290 m above sea level.
The mountain is the cradle of hiking tourism in Bulgaria. There are two main tourist centres – Aleko and Zlatnite Mostove. (The Golden Bridges). There is Aleko Chalet offering 88 beds in three suits and rooms of 2, 3, 4, 8 and more beds. Behind Aleko Chalet is the office of Mountain Rescue Service.
Above it is a huge slope Stenata-the biggest natural ski-track in Bulgaria. The year 1934 witnessed the establishment of the first National Park in our country, enclosing the greater part of Vitosha and aimed at preserving the beauties of the mountain the next generations for.
Zlatnite Mostove is another popular tourist centre. Most popular here is the phenomenon-moreni “stone rivers”, piles of huge rounded stones along the river valleys, reaching up to 2 km in length and 50 m in width.
There are number of valuable historical monuments in the mountains. The most popular among them is Boyana Church. It is included in the list of UNESCO of most valuable works of art.
The Dragalevtsi Monastery is another place of interest, founded in the 14th century.
LYULIN Mountain is situated south west of the capital city, 3 km from the ring road. Now virtually a part of the city, it is a good place for picnics and walks. Bonsovy polyany is the most visited place in the mountain.
PLANA Mountain also offers interesting sights for tourism. It is situated 10 km south of the capital and can be reached by city bus or by car along the road to Samokov.
The most frequently visited is Kokalyane Monastery, built in 10th century.
Pancharevo Lake (12 km from Sofia) is situated next to the village of Pancharevo. It is suitable for recreation, sunbathing, fishing and water sports.
Iskar Dam is a large water reservoir near Sofia. It lies 25 km south of the city, and is a very good recreation spot where aquatic sports can be practiced.
Accommodation and Catering: Sofia has a sufficient number of luxury, first class and lower category hotels, private lodgings and tourist hotels. The 5-star hotels are Sheraton, Hilton, Radisson, Hrankov, and Kempinsky-Zografski. 4-star hotels are Sofia Princess Hotel, Rodina, Maria Lourisa, TBS Ambassador, Gloria Palace, while the remaining are 3-, 2- and 1-star hotels.
Most of the hotels listed above have restaurants, sandwich and 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, falafel stalls, luxurious restaurants, and wine cellars clubs.
Transport: Sofia is the larges 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. In general, Bulgaria’s transport network is divided into southern and northern routes. Thus the bus stations and the railway stations are oriented in these directions.
City transport in Sofia offers wide opportunities and it is difficult to describe it without a city plan. Every tourists buy a detailed map-plan of Sofia showing not only the lines but also the stops of the city transport.
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