The capital of the Republic of Bulgaria is a city with more than 7,000 years of history. In the 8th century BC, the Thracian Serdi tribe settled there, which gave the city its first name – Serdika. Today in the capital’s centre, the remains of the Eastern Gate of Serdika – Sredets can be seen. Not far from it is the rotunda “St. George” – the oldest temple in Sofia, built in the 4th century during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. The city began to be called Sofia in the late 14th century, after its symbol and main temple – the Basilica “St. Sofia”, built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527 – 565).
The feast of the capital is celebrated on 17 September – the day of St. Martyr Sofia and her three daughters Faith, Hope and Love. Sofia is known as a city of tolerance. Monuments and remains from different historical periods coexist harmoniously – from Roman times through the Middle Ages and the Ottoman period to today. In the centre of the city, meters from each other, there are the Banya Bashi Mosque, the Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph, the Synagogue and the Church of St. Nedelya.
Next to Sofia is the Vitosha mountain, which in the summer is among the most preferred places for picnics and tourism, and in the winter offers excellent conditions for winter sports. Over the centuries, numerous monasteries were built in the city’s vicinity, forming the so-called Sofia Holy Mountain. At the foot of Vitosha, in the “Boyana” quarter, is the National History Museum with one of the largest collections – over 700,000 cultural monuments. Near the museum is the Boyan Church – included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. One of the outstanding natural treasures of Sofia is the mineral springs located in the centre of the city and its surroundings.
The capital emphasizes mass sporting events and promotes an active lifestyle. It hosts cultural, musical, sports and other events every year. In 2018, it was designated as the European Capital of Sports. Sofia is a dynamic and diverse city with a rich cultural and historical heritage. Residents and guests can feel safe and relaxed and constantly discover new and exciting things from the surrounding world.
Sofia – “Grows, but does not grow old”.
