Sofia - The Capital city

In town | Sofia

The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, is one of the most ancient towns in the country. Sofia was named the capital in March 1879. In ancient times the culture of the Thracian tribe Serdes (Serdi) prospered, influenced by the Greeks (5th c. BC). The greatest boom of the town in Roman times was during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337), who used to state his love for the place by often saying, “My Rome is Serdica”. Vestiges from the Roman-Christian period are found at St. Sophia (Sveta Sofia) and St. George (Sveti Georgi) church, espectively. The Roman basilica of St. Sophia (Sveta Sofia) is one of the most precious and unique historical architectural antiquities on the Balkan Peninsula, giving the contemporary capital of Bulgaria its name. Near to the church a necropolis was discovered showing centuries long usage.

The church of St. George (Sveti Georgi) is the most ancient preserved building in the city. It was originally a Roman bath (Rimska bania), converted into a church during the 8th century.

After 1194, when the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (Vtoroto Bulgarsko Tzarstvo) was established, Sredetz marked its next uplift. Bulgarian architecture boomed, churches and monasteries were built. Among these, the famous Boyana Church with portraits and mural paintings that are noted as the first ever showing realistic expressiveness in European painting.

After the liberation from the Ottoman Yoke and its announcement as the capital, the town grew very fast and became the most significant political, economic, scientific, cultural and educational center in the
country. Step by step its design was outlined with the buildings of the National Assembly (the Parliament - Narodno Sabranie), the Synod Hall, the Faculty of Theology, the National Theatre, the Palace of the Tsar, the town mineral
bath, the Market Hall, the Central Post Office, the Court of Justice and the different ministries.

The head office of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Saints Cyril and Methodius Library, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski (the biggest and the oldest in the country), the National Art Gallery, the Archeological Museum and the National Museum of History are here. Amongst the great number of churches, the largest is the Alexander Nevski temple monument. The Russian church and the Jewish synagogue also deserve special comment. Sofia is one
of the greenest capitals in Europe. Besides the great number of parks, the nearby mountains of Vitosha, Lyulin, Lozen, Plana and others are also suitable for rest and tourism.

Today Sofia is a dynamic, modern city hosting offices of many international corporations, business centers, entertainment and sports parks and complexes. Sofia is a business but also a tourist destination because of the innumerable unique sights from different epochs and cultures.