About Sofia
The Bulgarian capital Sofia (population: 1 182 698 inhabitants) is located in the Sofiisko pole area, 550 m above sea level and occupies a territory of 1, 311 sq. km. In close proximity of the capital lie Pancharevo lake and Iskar dam. The Iskar river flows by east of Sofia.
Sofia is linked by international routes with the capitals of Europe, and via Istanbul and Ankara, with the Middle East. City’s motto is: “Ever Growing, Never Ageing”

History
On this place in VIII th century there was a Neolithic settlement. Later here sprang up an ancient Thracian city, called by the Romans – Serdica. In the Rome epoch (I – IV th century AD) the town was growing as a center of the country Inner Thrace. In V – VI th century, at the time of “Great Migrate of the People” there were invasions of Huns, Gothic and Barbarians. From mid-VI th century the town developed as an important administrative and economic center of the Byzantine empire with the name of Triaditsa. In 809 it was included within the limits of the Bulgarian country with the name of Sredets. From the end of the XIV th century till the seventies of the XIX th century the town and the whole country were under the Ottoman rule. Sofia fell under Ottoman rule in 1382. In some documents from that time the city was described as a place of particular charm, which evoked the admiration of the conquerors.

Landmarks
Several buildings and places vie for Sofia’s emblem. The most frequent image is the impressive edifice of the Cathedral and Memorial church of "St. Alexandar Nevski". The temple is the central patriarch’s cathedral of the autonomous Bulgarian Orthodox Church. A remarkable sight is also the place surrounding the cathedral, where a Monument of the unknown soldier with eternal burning flame is located. Part of the same square is occupied by the church of St.Sofia, dating from the 4 th – 6 th century AD. In the early 19 th century it was briefly transformed into a mosque and flanked by a minaret, but soon after the Liberation it was again sanctified as an orthodox church. Behind the Monumental Cathedral rises the building of the National Gallery of Foreign Arts. It contains unique exhibits of art from Africa, Asia and Europe, Spanish baroque paintings and tableaux by the modern painter Nikolai Roerich.
Another landmark in the capital is the “Ivan Vazov” National Theatre. The theatre was founded in 1904, and its building was completed in 1907. The edifice of the National Assembly was built in 1884. and it is the third candidate for the city’s emblem. A motto inscribed on its main façade reads “Union makes strength”. To the west of the Parliament building is the Bulgarian Academy of Science created in 1869, and to the east across a small garden rises the “St.Kliment Ohridski” Sofia university, founded in 1888, and built in 1920 with personal donations by the brothers Evlogy and Hristo Georgievi. You can also visit the National Art Gallery which contains a collection of over 12 000 works of art, the oldest of which dating to the 18 th century. The National Ethnographic museum exhibits a wealth of collections of national costumes, hand-made works of art from Bulgarian people’s daily life, tools of labour dating from three of four centuries ago, jewelry, tissues, embroideries and other objects of typical national folk art. In the inner courtyard of the Presidency rises the famous Roman Rotunda transformed into the church of St. George, dating to the 4 th century AD. Recently restored, it is stunning for its simple and exquisite architecture. The Russian Monument is an obelisk rising west of the city center. It bears a written dedication of the Russian Tsar and the Russian warriors who fell in the war for Bulgaria’s liberation.
The Monument to the Saint Brothers Cyril and Methodius who devised the Bulgarian alphabet rises in front of the National Library, north of the Sofia University building. Beyond the “Dundukov” Blvd. is located the National Opera - a building which also houses the National Ballet. The Opera house building is in neo–classical style, and in front of it rises a monument to Alexandar Stamboliiski, one time prime – minister of Bulgaria.

Transport
Sofia is the largest transport junction of the country. It has a subway line, dozens of bus lines and railway system that connect the capital with near–by settlements and other Bulgarian towns, as well as covering shorter distances in the city itself, and trolley buses and tramcars.

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 seeing. 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 frequent-visited 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 Tzar 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. When fullq the lake 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 a 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 Tzar 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 stands at the foot of the Iskar Gorge near the Kourilo village, 18 km. from the capital. It can be reached by the road to Mezdra or by railway line connecting Sofia with Northern Bulgaria.

Parks in Sofia
The main park in Sofia is the Vitosha park, which covers a large part of the mountain. The city’s central park is Borissovata gradina (The Garden of Boris). 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 Garden 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 garden. It extend from “Ivan Vazov” quarter to the “Hladilnika” quarter. Numerous children’s playgrounds are included in its territory. Zapaden park (the Western park) is close to the “Zaharna Fabrica” quarter and the beginning of the “Lyulin” residential area. Numbers of catering and spot establishments are available in it and there is enough space for walks and games.