Sofia - the capital and, at the same time, the largest city in Bulgaria.

Translated from the Greek for wisdom, mastery.

Sofia - the administrative center of Sofia and communities Cap.

Currently (2013g), Mayor (mayor) – Иорданка Фандыкова (Party GERB).

As a result of population perepesi (2011 g) live in Sofia 1, 3 million. man. By some estimates,, including temporary residents and undocumented residents, the city's population reaches 1,5 – 1,8 million. man.

About 95% of the population are ethnic Bulgarians.

The main religion: Christianity. There are also Muslims, and the followers of other religions. Religious differences - no, in particular due to the incredible tolerance of the population.

A brief historical note:

In the ancient site of the modern city of Sofia was a settlement Thracian tribe Cerda, in 1 century BC. received the Roman name Serdica. In 1 – 4 Serdica century - became the capital of the Roman province of Thrace, and was a favorite city of Emperor Constantine (306 -307 g. BC). For years, the Imperial Court was in Serdica and hence ruled the Roman Empire. History has preserved the words of Emperor Constantine the Great Roman Empire: "Serdica - this is my Rome". For a while there, he planned to arrange the new capital of the Roman Empire - New Rome.

Serdica became part of Bulgaria 9 century, under the name of Sredets. Sofia was named in 14 century, in honor of the chief (then) the temple of the city - the church of Hagia Sophia. In 14 century, was captured by the Turks. And to 1870 year and the whole of Bulgaria, EE and chair, are under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire. In 16 – 18 centuries, the city was second only to Constantinople (Istanbul), Mall Balkans. With 1879 year, after the liberation of Bulgaria from the 500 - Years of Turkish domination, Sofia – the capital of the Bulgarian.

The rich history has left its abundant evidence both in the whole of Bulgaria, and within one of the oldest cities in Europe - Sofia. In the city you can find a lot of historical and cultural monuments. Many of the buildings of Sofia on the list of the architectural heritage of humanity.

The main ones:

Memorial Church of St. Alexander Nevsky. The main temple of the city. Erected in honor of the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1904 – 1912 years. The largest Orthodox church in Europe.

The Church of St. Sophia , 4 century.

Rotunda of St. George, 4 century.

Cathedral of the Holy Week , 10 century.

Boyana Church, 11 century.

Black mosque, 16 century.

Mosque Banya - Bashi, 16 century.

Russian church, 1914 year.

Mount Vitosha ( height – 2290 meters above sea level) and, disposed thereon, Vitosha Nature Park.

The base of Vitosha Mountain is located within the city. It is the traditional place of year-round recreation of citizens and visitors. In the park there is a ski resort, where from the foot of the mountain, from several areas of the city, You will deliver lifts. Prior to founding lifts and directly to the resort can be reached by car, and on public transport. Ski lovers will enjoy several trails of varying difficulty and the availability of infrastructure (Hotels, cafe-restaurants, hire, School for Beginners, opportunities for sledding and ATV, trails for hiking and walking, etc.).

And it, of course, not all.

For a listing and description of all the attractions of Sofia will take a lot of time.

The city has carefully preserved and made available for inspection by numerous archaeological sites. For example, Sredets and ruins of the ancient city of the same name.

In the past, surrounded by a ring of Sofia 50 Monasteries, 20 have survived to our time. Most of the monasteries acts, many of them are available to visit.

In the city and in the nearby suburbs, there are thermal springs. Almost all have the infrastructure for spa and physical therapy, as well as leisure and recreational swimming.

The city itself, Despite the still visible traces of the socialist past, cozy, very green and friendly. There a number of interesting museums and theaters, parks, hotels, cafes and restaurants, Exercise Area, various leisure activities. Currently, the city in front of reshaping, becomes even more beautiful. With the support of the European Union are being reconstructed many roads and parkways, restoration of architectural objects, construction of new modern residential neighborhoods, shops, technology parks and business – Centers.

Residents of the city are very friendly and hospitable, characterized by tranquility, friendliness .

In Sofia - many cafes and restaurants, good, very good and of the highest quality, a variety of cuisines and price ranges.

Overall, so-called "food", well-developed. Cook and serve well, prices - not the cause of negative emotions. A large number of restaurants and cafes located in the gardens and on the terraces, colorful variety of institutions in national style. Numerous popular restaurants, located in the suburbs, in areas of the foothills. They have a good time and a good meal in the hot summer days, and in winter, warm up after walking or skiing, and simply - to spend a few hours with friends in the open air.

Public transport is well developed. There are two long lines underground, built by Japanese builders (the second line put into operation in 2012 year) and meet the highest safety standards. Buses, trolley buses and trams - moving around the city in accordance with the schedule. The city has several main streets where the speed of the flow 80 km / Time, equipped with a large number of underpasses for pedestrians, allowing transport to move freely enough, even during peak hours.

The city has several taxi services. Taxi stands are found in all areas of the city, also in shopping centers, Airport, stations and institutions of commerce and culture. Besides, You can call a taxi by phone or order online. Fare - low cost.

Sofia Airport - Modern, large and very comfortable. It has two terminals. The second terminal operates flights on international routes. In Season, several flights a day, wanting to quickly deliver on the Black Sea coast resorts, в Бургас и Варну. Airport is equipped with modern European safety system. Be in the near suburbs, to the airport is a separate highway, that allows you to get to him as soon as possible from the rest of the city. From the airport can be reached by public transport. On the bus, undertake travel frequently and accurately schedule. It takes passengers to the bus stop in the city center, where you can, if necessary, transfer to other modes of transport or by taxi.

In Sofia there are several railway stations and bus terminals, asking for inland and international lines. Currently launched modern train on the route Sofia - Burgas.

Briefly on the road: the main part of the country, (and with it the country's border) , as well as resort areas, connect the motorway.

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Shopping in Sofia will delight lovers of fashion. High comfort of modern shopping malls, their convenient location near the city center, Lots of parking and attractive prices (especially during seasonal sales) - Make shopping in Sofia enjoyable and profitable. A variety of trendy shops in the center (near the pedestrian shopping street, Vitosha) offer clothing, shoes and accessories of almost all well-known brands at affordable prices. For grocery purchases there is a sufficient number of supermarkets, many of which belong to a large trading networks. Moreover, saved a lot of small shops and bakeries, "walking distance". It is also very popular unchanging markets and bazaars, where to purchase agricultural cooperatives and individual producers. Common and loved sofiyanami small shops and stalls, selling environmentally friendly products, with relevant certificates.

A special attraction of the city and gives its geographical position, for which he respectfully and lovingly referred to as "the heart of the Balkans".

To the Black Sea - 400 kilometers, Aegean - 300 km, Marmara - 500 km, Adriatic - 600 km. Less than 100 kilometers - the Rila mountain range, where there are wonderful and modern equipped ski and spa resorts. It is in the Rila Mountains is famous cascade Rila Lakes, included in the European tourist route E - 4. The basic starting point of which is to resort Panichishte (Municipality Saparёva Bathroom).

Sofia is easy and quick access to the bordering countries (Сербия, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey,Romania), and to familiarize them with the sights and capitals. To most of them are modern highways, in some areas in the present work on the construction of new roads or reconstruction of existing. Road infrastructure is well developed.