Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, lies in the Sofia plain, enclosed by the Balkan Range Mountain to the north, and Mount Vitosha to the south. Founded seven thousand years ago, it is the second oldest city in Europe. It has been given several names in the course of history and the remnants of the old cities can still be seen today.
Near Sofia lies Boyana church, which is one of the most valuable memorials of Bulgarian and European culture. The church boasts frescoes, acclaimed by specialists as “the best examples of eastern mediaeval art during its twelve century history”.
The decline of Sofia during the Ottoman Empire was followed by the rejuvenation after the liberation in 1879, when Sofia was chosen as the capital of Bulgaria at the First National Constituent Assembly. The plans of 1881-1882 were followed by a brisk and straight-forward period of construction.
Nowadays Sofia is the country's leading industrial centre, housing one eighth of the population, the country's political and cultural elite. The city centre is an eclectic mix of architectural styles, largely rebuilt after WWII bombings and complete with a yellow brick boulevard. Compact and diverse, it is a great place to get your bearings before heading off to discover the real Bulgaria.
