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History & Evolution
Being the oldest capital cities in Europe, the earliest settlement at Sofia dates back to about 7000 years ago, though the first proper city here was established in 8th century BC when Thracians, the people who founded it, came here. Sofia has had several names in the different periods of its existence and the remnants of city's history can still be seen today alongside modern landmark.

From a small provincial trading center, the city grew in importance rapidly over the centuries and by 4th century AD, it was one of the most important political, commercial and cultural centers of Byzantine Empire. During the reign of the Emperor Constantine, the city was at its zenith.

The Bulgars arrived in Sofia only during 9th century but their achievements were soon neutralized by Turkish occupation in 14th century. These Ottoman Turks razed most of the monuments and buildings built by the Bulgar period.

During the feudal unrest of mid-19th century, the city started declining and it was in Sofia that the famed anti-Turkish rebel Vasil Levski was hanged in 1873, after first being interrogated and tortured in the building that later became the Royal Palace. After the liberation of the city from the Turks in early 1878, Sofia became the capital city of Bulgaria on 4 April 1879.

Bulgaria picked the wrong side during World War II, therefore, a lot of the city's heritage was destroyed during bombing raids. Nevertheless, the Red Army liberated Sofia in 1944 setting up a people's republic was set up after the war.

High unemployment and declining living standards were serious problems through the 1990s, but today the city has certainly been smartened up hopes EU membership will bring more lasting benefits.

Site-Seeing
Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe with ruins spread across the city center thus, mesmerizing its tourists with magnificent monuments, palaces, churches and mosques. While superb ballet & opera along with varied restaurants, exciting nightlife with enough bars & dance clubs and cafes will make your visit more intriguing.

Sitting on a 1,788ft high plateau at the foot of Mount Vitosha, Sofia is no less in natural beauty also. It was founded because of the quality of its mineral waters and there are still 7 independent mineral water springs here at present.

St Sofia:
Regarded as one of the most significant examples of early Christian architecture in Balkans, St Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox Church in the city dating from 4th to 6th century. In the 14th century the church gave its name ‘Sofia’ to the city, meaning ‘holy wisdom’.

The church has an appealing history as it was converted into a mosque during the Turkish rule but was abandoned as two successive earthquakes destroyed one of the minarets almost 30 years later, and it was again converted into an Orthodox Church.

Local legends credit St Sofia’s miraculous powers for its protection over the centuries, surviving occupations and natural disasters to remain as a spiritual inspiration to the city.

Location: 2 Paris Street

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral:
The magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built between 1882-1912 to honor Russian soldiers who died fighting to liberate Bulgaria from Turkish rule in the war of 1878 under Tsar Alexander II.

The church is one of the finest examples of 20th century architecture in Sofia and is one of the symbols of the city. It is an impressive five-nave basilica housing an interior just as splendid, with mosaics, stained glass windows, marble and woodcarvings as well as frescoes that cover the walls and domes.

The underground crypt of the cathedral is home to the Icon Museum featuring icon paintings from across the country that represents masterpieces from 9th - 18th centuries. The monument is situated on the tree-lined square of the same name, which also contains a monument of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame.

Location: 1 St Alexander Nevsky Square

National Archaeological Museum:
Housed in the ivy-clad 15th century Mosque, National Archaeological Museum contains archeological pieces of Thracian, Greek and Roman origin. The interior of the museum is airy and well lit and all exhibits are labeled in Bulgarian and English.

There is a mosaic rescued from the floor of the St Sofia church though the star attraction is the Vulchitrun Treasure, a 12.5kg (27lb) collection of 13 decorated and strangely shaped vessels of solid gold, probably used by a King-Priest during Thracian religious rituals. While some of the larger carved Roman marbles are displayed in the courtyard. There is also a fashionable new Art Club Museum cafe behind the main building for tourists to stop for a drink or snack.

Location: 2 Saborna Ulica

Rotunda of St George:
Standing amid the remains of ancient Roman town of Serdica, St George Rotunda is the oldest standing building in the city dating back to 4th century. Rotunda was converted into a mosque under the Ottoman Empire, only to be turned back into a church later.

The church is famous for its exquisite architecture and layers of medieval frescoes that were discovered under the layers of plaster laid by Turks. Protected by UNESCO, this magnificent dome functions at present as a museum.

Location: 5 Ploshtad Sveta Nedelya

Banya Bashi Mosque:
Designed in 1576 by the greatest of all Ottoman architects, Mimar Sinan, Banya Bashi Mosque is the only still functioning mosque at present from 70 mosques which used to exit in Sofia.

The mosque has taken its name from the neighboring Tsentralnata Banya (Central Baths), Banya Bashi means 'a lot of baths'. The Romans built the first thermal baths here, although the present building dates from 1911.

The mosque's finest feature is its domed ceiling, while the inside is decorated with fine calligraphy citing texts from the Koran.

Location: Maria Louiza Boulevard at Triyaditsa Ulica