Sofia 57644 225342403 2008-07-13T04:58:23Z Rmiltchev 6898474 /* Education */ {{otheruses1|the capital of Bulgaria}} {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Sofia |native_name=София |image_skyline = AlexanderNevskiCathedral.jpg |image_caption = The [[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]] |image_flag = BG Sofia flag.svg |image_shield = BG Sofia coa.svg |image_map = Oblast Sofia grad.png |mapsize = 135px |map_caption = Position of Sofia in Bulgaria |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Bulgaria|Province]] |subdivision_name = [[Bulgaria]]|subdivision_name1 = Sofia-City |leader_title = [[List of mayors of Sofia|Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Boiko Borisov]] |area_magnitude = 1 E9 |area_total_km2 = 1349 |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |population_as_of = 2008-03-14 |population_note = |population_total = {{increase}}1,346,665 |population_density_km2 = 1030 |timezone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]] |utc_offset = +2 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]] |utc_offset_DST = +3 |latd=42 |latm=42 |latNS=N |longd=23 |longm=20 |longEW=E |elevation_m = 550 |website = [http://www.sofia.bg/en/index_en.asp sofia.bg] |footnotes = }} '''Sofia''' {{audio|Sofia.ogg|listen}} ({{lang-bg|София}}, {{IPA2|ˈsɔ.fi.ja}}), is the [[capital]] and largest city of the [[Republic of Bulgaria]], with a population of 1,346,665 in the Capital Municipality.<ref name=grao>{{cite web | url = http://grao.bg/tna/tab01.html | title = Population table by permanent and present address as of 15 May 2008 | publisher = Head Direction of Residential Registration and Administrative Service | language = Bulgarian | accessdate = 2008-03-31 }}</ref> It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of the mountain [[massif]] [[Vitosha]], and is the administrative, cultural, economic, and educational centre of the country. One of the oldest cities in [[Europe]], the history of Serdica-Sredets-Sofia can be traced back some 7000 years ago - prehistoric settlements were excavated in the centre of the present city - near the [[National Art Gallery (Bulgaria)|royal palace]], as well as in outer districts such as Slatina and Obelia. The well preserved town walls (especially their substructures) from antiquity date back before the 7th century BC, when [[Thracians]] established their city next to the most important and highly respected mineral spring, still functioning today. Sofia has had several names in the different periods of its existence, and remnants of the city's millenary history can still be seen today alongside modern landmarks. ==Geography== [[Image:Sofia, Bulgaria.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Sofia seen from space]] Sofia's development as a significant settlement owes much to its central position in the [[Balkans]]. It is situated in western Bulgaria, at the northern foot of the [[Vitosha]] mountain, in the [[Sofia Valley]] that is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The valley is the largest one in the country with territory of {{km2 to mi2|1186|spell=Commonwealth}} and average altitude of {{m to ft|550|spell=Commonwealth}}. Three mountain passes lead to the city, which have been key roads since antiquity, connecting the [[Adriatic Sea]] and [[Central Europe]] with the [[Black Sea|Black]] and [[Aegean Sea]]s. A number of low rivers cross the city, including the [[Vladaya River|Vladaiska]] and the [[Perlovska]]. The [[Iskar River]] in its upper course flows near eastern Sofia. The city is known for its numerous [[mineral spring|mineral]] and [[thermal spring|thermal]] springs. Artificial and dam lakes were built in the last century. It is located {{km to mi|130|spell=Commonwealth}} northwest of [[Plovdiv]] <ref name="guide"> {{cite web |url=http://bg.guide-bulgaria.com/bg_Distances.aspx |title=BG Guide - Distances between cities in Bulgaria |publisher=bg.guide-bulgaria.com |accessdate=2008-05-25 |last= |first= }} </ref>, Bulgaria's second largest city, {{km to mi|340|spell=Commonwealth}} west of [[Burgas]]<ref name="guide" />, {{km to mi|380|spell=Commonwealth}} west of [[Varna]]<ref name="guide" />, Bulgaria's major port-cities on the [[Bulgarian Black Sea Coast]]. The city is situated at less than {{km to mi|200|spell=Commonwealth}} from the borders with three countries: {{km to mi|55|spell=Commonwealth}} from [[Kalotina]] on the [[Serbia]]n border, {{km to mi|113|spell=Commonwealth}} from [[Gyueshevo]] on the frontier with the [[Republic of Macedonia]] and {{km to mi|183|spell=Commonwealth}} from the [[Greece|Greek]] border at [[Kulata]]. === Climate === Sofia has a moderate [[continental climate]] with high temperature amplitudes. The hottest month is August while January is the coldest. Up to 1936 the average annual temperature was {{C to F|10.0|spell=Commonwealth}} and since then it has risen with +0.5 °C (+1 °F).<ref>http://www.meteo.bg/docs/CMS_Sof_Hystory_Web.pdf</ref> The city receives around {{mm to in|650|spell=Commonwealth}} annual precipitation with summer maximum and winter minimum. The temperatures in Sofia generally remain cooler than other parts of Bulgaria in summer, due to the high altitude of the valley in which it is situated. However temperatures can still reach up to 40 °C on occasions. {| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%; margin: 0 auto 0 auto;" |+ '''Climate table''' |- ! ! Jan !! Feb !! Mar !! Apr !! May !! Jun !! Jul !! Aug !! Sep !! Oct !! Nov !! Dec !!Year |- align=right ! Mean daily maximum temperature ([[Celsius|°C]]) | 2.2 || 4.9 || 9.8 ||15.7 ||22.3 ||26.7 ||29.7 ||30.0 ||24.0 ||16.6 || 9.6 || 4.1 || 15.1 |- align=right ! Mean minimum night time temperature ([[Celsius|°C]]) |−4.9 ||−2.9 || 0.3 || 4.8 || 9.0 ||12.1 ||13.8 ||13.4 ||10.4 || 5.7 || 1.2 ||−2.7 || 5.0 |- align=center ! Mean total rainfall ([[Millimetre|mm]]) |28 ||31 ||38 ||51 ||73 ||75 ||63 || 51 ||38 ||35 ||48 ||40 ||571 |- align=center ! Mean number of rain days |10 ||10 ||10 ||12 ||14 ||13 ||10 || 8 || 7 || 7 || 9 ||11 ||121 |- align=center | colspan=15 | <small>'''Source:''' [http://www.worldweather.org/103/c00303.htm World Weather Information Service]</small> |} ==History== {{main|History of Sofia}} ===Antiquity=== [[Image:StGeorgeRotundaSofia.JPG|thumb|200px|The [[Church of St George, Sofia|Church of Sv. Georgi]] is among the oldest [[Christian]] churches in the [[Balkan peninsula]] dating back to 4th century]] Sofia was originally a [[Thracians|Thracian]] settlement called ''Serdica'', or ''Sardica'', possibly named after the Thracian tribe [[Serdi]]. Around 500 BC another tribe settled in the region, the [[Odrysi]], known as an ethnos with their own kingdom. For a short period during the 4th century BC, the city was ruled by [[Philip of Macedon]] and his son [[Alexander the Great]]. Around AD 29, Serdica was conquered by the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. It became a ''municipium'', or centre of an administrative region, during the reign of Emperor [[Trajan]] (98-117) and was renamed ''Ulpia Serdica''. It seems that the first written mention of Serdica was made by [[Ptolemy]] (around 100 AD). Serdica (Sardica) expanded, as [[turret]]s, protective walls, public baths, administrative and cult buildings, a civic [[basilica]], an [[amphitheatre]] - the City Council (Boulé), a large Forum, a big Circus (Theatre), etc. were built. When Emperor [[Diocletian]] divided the province of [[Dacia]] into Dacia Ripensis (at the banks of the [[Danube]]) and [[Dacia Mediterranea]], Serdica became the capital of [[Dacia Mediterranea]]. The city subsequently expanded for a century and a half, it became a significant political and economical centre, moreso - it became one of the first roman cities where Christianity was recognized as an official religion ([[Еmperor]] [[Galerius]]). So it was only very natural that [[Constantine the Great]] called Serdica (Sardica) "My Rome". Serdica was of moderate size, but magnificent as an urban concept of planning and architecture, with abundant amusements and an active social life. It flourished during the reign of [[Byzantine Emperor]] [[Justinian I]], when it was surrounded with great fortress walls whose remnants can still be seen today. The city was destroyed by the [[Huns]] in 447 but was rebuilt by Justinian and for a while called ''Triaditsa''. {{wrapper}} |[[Image:Desislava.jpg|thumb|200px|A fresco depicting Desislava, a 13th century patron of the church]] |- |[[Image:Sveti_Sedmochislenitsi_Church_Sofia_1.jpg|thumb|200px|Sofia has been a centre of Christianity since the times of the Roman Empire]] |} ===Middle Ages=== [[Image:Boyana Church.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The [[Boyana Church]] is among the most precious monuments from the [[Second Bulgarian Empire|Bulgarian Empire]]]] Sofia first became part of the [[First Bulgarian Empire]] during the reign of [[Khan Krum]] in 809 after a long [[siege of Serdica (809)|siege]]. <ref>Theophanes Confessor. Chronographia, p.485</ref> Afterwards, it was known by the [[Slavic languages|Bulgarian]] name ''Sredets'' and grew into an important fortress and administrative centre. After the fall of North-eastern Bulgaria under [[John I Tzimiskes]]' armies in 971, the Bulgarian Patriarch Damyan chose Sofia for his seat in the next year. After a number of unsuccessful sieges, the city fell to the [[Byzantine Empire]] in 1018, but once again was incorporated into the [[Second Bulgarian Empire|restored Bulgarian Empire]] at the time of Tsar [[Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen I]]. From the 12th to the 14th century, Sofia was a thriving centre of trade and crafts. It is possible that it has been called by the common population ''Sofia'' (meaning "wisdom" in [[Ancient Greek language|AncientGreek]]) about 1376 after the [[Church of St. Sofia]]. However, in different testimonies it was called both "Sofia" and "Sredets" until the end of the 19th century. In 1382 Sofia was seized by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in the course of the [[Bulgarian-Ottoman Wars]] - after a long siege the city was captured with treason. The new name - Sofia, replaced the old one - Sredets, after the liberation of the city from Turkish rule in 1878. Quite a time after 1878 there was a strong will, expressed by Bulgarian committees, to keep the name Sredets, but the Russian administration accepted Sofia. ===Ottoman rule=== After the campaign of [[Władysław III of Poland]] in 1443 towards Sofia, the city's Christian elite was annihilated and became the capital of the Ottoman province (beylerbeylik) of [[Rumelia]] for more than 4 centuries, which encouraged many Turks to settle there. In the 16th century Sofia's urban layout and appearance began to exhibit a clear Ottoman style, with many mosques, fountains and ''hamams'' (bathhouses). During that time the town had a population of around 7,000 which rose to 55,000 by the mid 17th century. The town was seized for several weeks by Bulgarian ''[[haiduk]]s'' in 1599. In 1610 the [[Roman Catholic Church|Vatican]] established the [[See of Sofia]] for Catholics of [[Rumelia]], which existed until 1715 when most Catholics had emigrated<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13224b.htm The Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref>. In the 16th century there were 126 [[Jewish]] households, and there has been a synagogue in Sofia since 967. ===End of Ottoman Rule=== Sofia was taken by [[Russia]]n forces on [[4 January]] 1878, during the [[Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78]], and became the capital of the autonomous [[Principality of Bulgaria]] in 1879, which became [[Kingdom of Bulgaria]] in 1908. It was proposed for capital by [[Marin Drinov]] and was accepted as such on [[3 April]] 1879. By the time of its liberation the population of the was 11,649.<ref>Кираджиев, Светлин (2006). „София. 125 години столица. 1879-2004 година“. ИК „Гутенберг“. ISBN 978-954-617-011-8</ref> For a few decades after the liberation the city experienced a large population growth mainly from other regions of the country. In 1925 the [[St Nedelya Church assault]] was carried out by the [[Bulgarian Communist Party]] which claimed the lives of 170 people and injured another 500. During [[World War II]], Sofia was [[Bombing of Sofia in World War II|bombed by Allied aircraft]] in late 1943 and early 1944, as well as later occupied by the [[Soviet Union]]. As a consequence of the Russian occupation with the approval of the Allied countries [[USA]], [[Great Britain]], [[France]], Bulgaria's government, which allied the country with [[Germany]], was overthrown by a communist revolution. Like Prague, Warsaw, Bucharest etc. Sofia became a capital of the Communist-ruled [[History of Communist Bulgaria|People's Republic]] (1944). The country did not lose territory, but lost vital and important connections with Bulgarian population abroad and all over the world. During that time the population of Sofia expanded at high rates, as a great push has been given to the industrial development of the city - many new large factories and manufacturing plants were built in and around the city. That led to the creation of many new neighbourhoods and expansion of the [[public transport]] network. ==Administration== The city of Sofia is one of 28 [[Provinces of Bulgaria]] (not to be confused with [[Sofia Province]], which surrounds but does not include the city). Besides the city of Sofia, the capital province encompasses three other cities and 34 villages, being split into a total of 24 municipalities. Each municipality has a head person who is elected by the municipal assembly. The head of the county is its mayor. The assembly members are chosen every four years. The current [[mayor of Sofia]] is [[Boyko Borisov]]. '''Municipalities of Sofia City''': [[Image:Sofia Capital map Taushanov.PNG|400px|thumb|The municipalities of Sofia]] {| border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 10px 0 10px 25px; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #AAA solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 85%; float: center;" |- BGCOLOR="#EFEFEF" STYLE="border-bottom: 2px solid gray;" ! Name ! Unemployment (2004, %) ! Population{{Failed verification|date=March 2008}} ! (Sub)Urban/Town |- | [[Bankya]] || 10.4 || 9,186 || Town |- | [[Vitosha, Sofia|Vitosha]] || 3.5 || 42,953 || Suburban |- | [[Vrabnitsa]] || 4.6 || 47,417 || Urban |- | [[Vazrazhdane]] || 5.3 || 47,794 || Urban |- | [[Izgrev]] || 3.1 || 33,611 || Urban |- | [[Ilinden, Sofia|Ilinden]] || 4.5 || 37,256 || Urban |- | [[Iskar, Sofia|Iskar]] || 3.9 || 69,896 || Urban |- | [[Krasna polyana]] || 9.2 || 65,442 || Urban |- | [[Krasno selo]] || 3.7 || 72,302 || Urban |- | [[Kremikovtsi]] || 5.8 || 23,599 || Suburban |- | [[Lozenets, Sofia|Lozenets]] || 3.3 || 45,630 || Urban |- | [[Lyulin, Sofia|Lyulin]] || 5.4 || 120,897 || Urban |- | [[Mladost, Sofia|Mladost]] || 4.2 || 110,852 || Urban |- | [[Nadezhda, Sofia|Nadezhda]] || 3.8 || 77,000 || Urban |- | [[Novi Iskar]] || 4.5 || 26,544 || Town |- | [[Ovcha kupel]] || 3.8 || 47,380 || Urban |- | [[Oborishte, Sofia|Oborishte]] || 2.8 || 36,000 || Urban |- | [[Pancharevo]] || 5.3 || 24,342 || Suburban |- | [[Poduyane]] || 4.5 || 85,996 || Urban |- | [[Serdika]] || 3.6 || 52,918 || Urban |- | [[Slatina, Bulgaria|Slatina]] || 4.1 || 65,772 || Urban |- | [[Studentski grad (Sofia)|Studentski grad]] || 2.9 || 50,368 || Urban |- | [[Sredets, Sofia|Sredets]] || 4.0 || 41,000 || Urban |- | [[Triaditsa, Sofia|Triaditsa]] || 3.7 || 65,000 || Urban |- BGCOLOR="#E9E9E9" | TOTAL || 4.5 || 1,299,155 || <ref>София в числа, НСИ, 2003</ref><ref>[http://www.bsp-poduene.hit.bg Район "Подуяне"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |- |} ==Demographics== {{Histpop |1887|20856|- |1892|30928|+48.3% |1900|46593|+50.6% |1920|154025|+230% |1946|530168|+244% |2001|1177577|+122% |2006|1253680{{Failed verification|date=March 2008}}|+12% |2008|1246651{{Failed verification|date=March 2008}}|+12% |2015|2000000{{Failed verification|date=March 2008}}|exp }} [[Image:P7120004.JPG|thumb|left|220px|Modern Apartment Buildings]] According to 1999 data,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sofia.bg/display.asp?ime=demhar&title=%C4%E5%EC%EE%E3%F0%E0%F4%F1%EA%E0%20%F5%E0%F0%E0%EA%F2%E5%F0%E8%F1%F2%E8%EA%E0&pathtitle=%F0%E0%F1%F2%E5%20%ED%EE%20%ED%E5%20%F1%F2%E0%F0%E5%E5%20... |title = Demographic record |publisher = Sofia municipality website |language = Bulgarian |accessdate = 2006-06-15}}</ref> the whole Capital Municipality, with a population of 1,246,651 <ref name=grao/>, had a population density of 917.8. The ratio of women per 1,000 men was 1,114 and the rate of [[population ageing]] was 100.3. The birth rate per 1000 people was 7.9 and steadily declining in the last 15 years, the death rate reaching 12.2 and growing. The population was declining by 4.3 per cent. However, considerable immigration to the capital from poorer regions of the country, as well as urbanization, are the reasons Sofia's population is in practice increasing. 5.7 people of every one thousand were married (only heterosexual marriage is possible in Bulgaria) and the [[infant mortality rate]] was 11 dead babies per 1,000 born alive, down from 18.9 in 1980. According to the 2001 census, Sofia's population is made up of 96% ethnic [[Bulgarian people|Bulgarians]]; among minority communities, nearly 18,000 (1.5%) officially identified themselves as [[Roma people|Roma]]<ref>This statistic should not necessarily be taken at face value due to conflicting data – such as for the predominanly Roma neighbourhood of [[Fakulteta]], which alone has a population of 45,000. [http://www.mediapool.bg/show/?storyid=134487]</ref>, 6,000 as [[Bulgarian Turks|Turkish]], 3,000 as [[Russian people|Russian]], 1,700 as [[Armenian people|Armenian]], and 1,200 as [[Greek people|Greek]].<ref>[http://www.nsi.bg/Census/Ethnos.htm 2001 Census (Bulgarian)][http://www.nsi.bg/Census_e/Ethnos.htm (English - less detailed)] - recovered 26-06-2008. All other ethnic groups numbered less than one thousand; nearly 15,000 people said "other" or did not give an ethnicity.</ref> The [[unemployment]] is significantly lower than in other parts of the country — 2.45% of the active population in 1999 and declining, compared to 7.25% for the whole of Bulgaria as of [[July 1]], [[2007]] (also on the decrease).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://bulgaria.actualno.com/news_74069.html |title=Най-ниската безработица от 16 години насам е отчетена през юли |date=2006-08-14 |accessdate=2006-10-15 |publisher=Aktualno.com}}</ref> The large share of unemployed people with higher education, 27% as compared to 7% for the whole country, is a characteristic feature of the capital. When Sofia was declared capital in 1879 it was the fifth-largest city in the country after [[Plovdiv]], [[Ruse]], [[Varna]] and [[Shumen]]. Plovdiv remained the most populous town in Bulgaria till 1892 when Sofia took the lead. ==Culture== ===Music and nightlife=== Sofia has an extensive nightlife scene with many different [[night clubs]], live venues, [[pubs]], [[mehani]] (Bulgarian traditional taverns), and [[restaurants]]. The city has played host to many world star concerts including performances by, among others, [[Elton John]], [[Depeche Mode]], [[Iron Maiden]], [[Ray Charles]], [[Seal]], [[Metallica]], [[KISS]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], [[Eros Ramazotti]], [[DJ Tiesto]], [[Korn]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Robin Gibb]], [[Kylie Minogue]], [[Rihanna]] and [[Dima Bilan]]. Yalta Club and Chervilo are among the most popular clubs in Bulgaria. Yalta Club has hosted some of the most popular DJs: Pete Tong, Axwell, Steve Angello, Dimitri From Paris, Tom Novy and many others. ===Museums=== Sofia houses numerous museums, notably the [[National Historical Museum (Bulgaria)|National Historical Museum]], the [[Bulgarian Natural History Museum]], the [[Museum of Earth and Men]], the Ethnographic Museum, the [[National Museum of Military History (Bulgaria)|National Museum of Military History]], the National Polytechnical Museum and the [[National Archaeological Museum (Bulgaria)|National Archaeological Museum]]. In addition, there are the [[Sofia City Art Gallery]], the [[Bulgarian National Gallery of Arts]], the [[Bulgarian National Gallery for Foreign Art]] as well as numerous private art galleries. ===Places of special interest=== The city also offers many places of special interest such as the [[Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library]] (which houses the largest national book collection and is Bulgaria's oldest cultural institute), the [[Sofia State Library]], the British Council, the Russian Cultural Institute, the Polish Cultural Institute, the Hungarian Institute, the Czech and the Slovak Cultural Institutes, the Italian Cultural Institute, the French Cultural Institute, Goethe Institut, Instituto Cervantes, and the Open Society Institute. Families with children used to be able to enjoy [[Sofia Land]], the nearly nine-acre amusement park adjacent to the [[Sofia Zoological Garden]] (founded in 1888). Unfortunately the park was closed in 2006. Sofia currently enjoys a booming film industry as the filming ground of several international film productions. [[Vitosha Boulevard]], also called Vitoshka — ranked as the world's 22nd most expensive commercial street — represents numerous fashion boutiques and luxury goods stores and features exhibitions by world fashion designers. Sofia's geographic location, situated in the foothills of the weekend retreat [[Vitosha]] mountain, further adds to the city's specific atmosphere. <gallery> Image:BAS-sofia-imagesfrombulgaria.JPG|The [[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]] building Image:Battenberg-square-NAG-sofia-alhague.jpg|The former royal palace at [[Battenberg Square]], now the [[National Art Gallery (Bulgaria)|National Art Gallery]] Image:NDK-front-view.jpg|[[National Palace of Culture]] Image:Sofia-gallery-for-foreign-art-imagesfrombulgaria.JPG|The Neoclassical old Royal Printing Office built in 1882–1884 is today the [[National Gallery for Foreign Art]] Image:Sofia-old-architecture-gruev.JPG|The architecture in Sofia centre is a unique mixture of Western and Central European Architecture. Image:Aleksandar-nevski15.jpg|The [[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]] is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world. Image:Sofia-centre-yellowcobbles.JPG|The centre of the city is well-known for being paved with yellow [[Vienna|Viennese]] cobblestones. Image:Narsob3.jpg|[[The Largo]] Image:Hali-facade-gruev.JPG| [[Central Sofia Market Hall]] Image:Sofia-Banyata.JPG| [[Sofia Public Mineral Baths]] Image:Tsar-liberator-imagesfrombulgaria.jpg|[[Monument to the Tsar Liberator]] Image:Central-military-club-sofia-ifb.JPG| [[Central Military Club]] </gallery> ===Tourist attractions=== Some of Sofia's popular tourist attractions include among others: ;Churches <onlyinclude> {| width=100% class="wikitable" ! width=8% | Church ! width=24% | Description ! width=8% | Picture |- |align="center"|[[Church of St George, Sofia|Church of St George]] ||align="left"|The Church of St George is a late Roman [[rotonda]] dated from 4th century situated in the courtyard of the Sheraton Sofia Hotel. It was constructed with red bricks and is considered the oldest building in Sofia. It is known for its Medieval frescoes in the central dome dating from 12-14th centuries. ||align="center"|[[Image:StGeorgeRotundaSofia.JPG|150px]] |- |align="center"|[[Church of St Sophia, Sofia|Church of St Sophia]] ||align="left"|The early Byzantine Church of St Sophia was built in the 6th century on the place of an ancient Roman theatre and several earlier churches. During the Second Bulgarian Empire the structure served as the cathedral of the city but was later converted to a mosque by the Ottoman invaders. ||align="center"| [[Image:Basilica st-sofia.jpg|150px]] |- |align="center"|[[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]] ||align="left"|The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in the early 20th century in memory of the 200,000 [[Russia]]n soldiers, who died in the [[Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878]]. It is the largest church in the Balkans and the second largest Orthodox cathedral in the world. The cathedral's gold-plated dome is 45 m high, with the bell tower reaching 50.52 m.||align="center"| [[Image:SofiaCathedral.jpg|150px]] |- |align="center"|[[St Nedelya Church]] ||align="left"|St Nedelya is a medieval church that has suffered destruction through the ages and has been reconstructed many times. It was razed in the [[St Nedelya Church assault|assault in 1925]] that claimed over 150 victims. After the assault, the church was restored to its modern appearance. Today St Nedelya is a cathedral of the Sofia bishopric of the [[Bulgarian Patriarchate]].||align="center"| [[Image:Old church in Sofia, Bulgaria September 2005 2.jpg|150px]] |- |align="center"|[[Church of St Petka of the Saddlers|Church of St Petka]] ||align="left"|The tiny Church of St Petka of the Saddlers from the 14th century featuring some fine frescoes. It is a one-nave edifice dedicated to St Petka, a 11th century Bulgarian saint.||align="center"| [[Image:Sofia-st-petka-church-imagesfrombulgaria.jpg|150px]] |- |align="center"|[[Russian Church, Sofia|Russian Church]] ||align="left"|The Russian Church or the Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, built in 1914 is dedicated to the patron-saint of the Russian [[Tsar]] at the time [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II]]. The construction was supervised by the architect A. Smirnov, who was building the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral nearby.||align="center"| [[Image:Russian Church Sofia East Facade.jpg|150px]] |} ;Museums and galleries <onlyinclude> {| width=100% class="wikitable" ! width=8% | Museum ! width=24% | Description ! width=8% | Picture |- |align="center"|[[Bulgarian National Historical Museum|National Historical Museum]] ||align="left"|The National Historical museums is among the largest museums in Eastern Europe and possess more than 650,000 artifacts. Ancient [[Thracian treasure]]s, old armoury and weaponry, medieval church plates are among the most valuable objects in the collection. ||align="center"|[[Image:NIM-sofia-imagesfrombulgaria.JPG|150px]] |- |align="center"|[[National Archaeological Museum (Bulgaria)|National Archaeological Museum]] ||align="left"|The National Archaeological Museum occupies the largest and oldest former Ottoman mosque in the city built in 1474. It has a large collection of archaeological artifacts from all over the Balkans including some of the golden Thracian treasures. The museum is among Bulgaria's oldest and was inaugurated in 1905. ||align="center"| [[Image:Archaeological-museum-ifb.jpg|150px]] |- |align="center"|[[National Gallery of Foreign Art]] ||align="left"|The National Gallery of Foreign Art occupies an imposing 19th century building. The gallery's permanent exposition features [[European art|European]], [[Asian art|Asian]] (Buddhist, Japanese and Indian) and [[African art]], as well as separate [[contemporary art]] and [[engraving]] sections.||align="center"| [[Image:Sofia-foreign-art-gallery.JPG|150px]] |} ;Miscellaneous places of culture * The [[Ivan Vazov National Theatre]]. * The outdoor book-market on [[Slaveykov Square]]. * The [[National Palace of Culture]] cultural and congressional centre — the largest multifunctional complex in [[Southeastern Europe]], inaugurated in 1981 and situated in a lush green park surroundings. ;Outdoors sights * The [[Monument to the Tsar Liberator]] commemorating [[Alexander II of Russia]]. * Sofia's central boulevards paved with Viennese yellow cobblestones. [[Image:Vitosha2.jpg|thumb|Vitosha Mountain]] * [[Vitosha]] mountain, one of the symbols of Sofia, just a short drive or lift trip away, open year round. Ski and snowboard are popular in the winter, and hiking in the summer. * [[Borisova gradina]], Sofia's main and oldest garden, the construction of which began in 1884. ;Other places of interest * [[Sofia Public Mineral Baths]], decorated with the finest [[majolica]] tiles and completed in 1911. * [[TZUM]], Sofia's oldest and largest department store. * [[Largo, Sofia|The Largo]], an architectural complex in downtown Sofia which includes the headquarters of many national institutions * [[Sofia Zoo]] == Economy == [[Image:DZI-hq-sofia-ifb.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The [[DZI (company)|DZI]] headquarters in central Sofia]] [[Image:Moderna sgrada v Sofia.JPG|thumb|150px|A new office building on [[Bulgaria Boulevard, Sofia|Bulgaria Blvd.]], an example of one of the many new buildings that spurred in the city in recent years.]] Sofia is the major economic center of Bulgaria and home to most major Bulgarian and international companies operating in Bulgaria. Sofia is also the country's financial hub, home to the [[Bulgarian National Bank]], the [[Bulgarian Stock Exchange]], the [[Financial Supervision Commission]] as well as the headquarters of all commercial banks operating in the country. Construction, trade and transport are other important sectors of the local economy. Increasingly, Sofia is becoming an [[outsourcing]] destination for multinational companies, among them [[IBM]], [[Hewlett-Packard]] and [[Sony]]. Fuelled by Bulgaria's sustained economic growth, the real estate market in Sofia has skyrocketed in recent years. Apartment prices have more than tripled since 2003, with a growth rate in excess of 30% in 2007 alone. The construction industry has exploded with the emergence of new residential and office buildings, hotels, business parks, shopping malls and logistics space. Unemployment is rather low at about 2.5% compared to the Bulgarian average of 6.25% and to levels in other European countries. <br clear="left" /> == Transport and infrastructure == With its developing infrastructure and strategic location, Sofia is an important centre for international [[railway]] and [[automobile]] routes. Three Trans-European Transport Corridors cross the city: 4, 8 and 10. All major types of [[transport]] (except [[water transport]]) are represented in the city. It is home to 8 railway stations <ref name="infrastructure">http://www.sofia.bg/pressecentre/images/OPR1part-4.pdf Sofia infrastructure from the official website of the Municipality {{bg icon}}</ref>, the biggest of which is the Central Railway Station. Just next to it is the new [[Central Bus Station Sofia|Center Bus Station]], the biggest and most modern of its kind in the country.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.centralnaavtogara.bg/cbs/home.nsf/0/1A207ED29E913C47C2256FE10035BDA3?OpenDocument |title=Central Bus Station - official website {{bg icon}} |publisher=www.centralnaavtogara.bg |accessdate=2008-05-24 |last= |first= }} </ref> A number of other Bus Stations allow interurban and international trips from different parts of the city. The [[Sofia Airport]] with its new second terminal, finished in [[2006]], <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.sofia-airport.bg/pages/content.aspx?tm01=109&tm02=78 |title=Sofia Airport - History |publisher=www.sofia-airport.bg |accessdate=2008-05-24 |last= |first= }} </ref> handled some 2.7 million passengers in 2007. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.sofia-airport.bg/pages/news.aspx?lm01=106&p=1 |title=Sofia Airport - News |publisher=www.sofia-airport.bg |accessdate=2008-05-24 |last= |first= }} </ref> [[Public transport]] is relatively well-developed with bus, tram (153,6 km network<ref name="infrastructure" />) and trolley (97 km network<ref name="infrastructure" />) lines running in all areas of the city. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.skgt-bg.com/ |title=Public transport Sofia - official website {{bg icon}} |publisher=www.skgt-bg.com |accessdate=2008-05-24 |last= |first= }} </ref> The [[Sofia Metro|Sofia underground]] became operational only in 1998 and is yet largely underdeveloped with one line and eight stations only.<ref name="subway"/> At present six new stations are under construction and will become operational in 2009. <ref name="subway"> {{cite web |url=http://www.metropolitan.bg/index_bg.html |title=Metropolitan Sofia Web Place |publisher=www.metropolitan.bg |accessdate=2008-05-24 |last= |first= }} </ref> The masterplan for the Sofia underground includes three lines with a total of 47 stations.<ref name="subway"/> In recent years privately operated vans serving fixed routes proved an efficient and popular means of transportation by being faster than public transport but cheaper than taxis. As of [[2005]] these vans numbered 368 and serviced 48 lines around the city and suburbs. <ref name="infrastructure" /> There are some 6,000 licensed [[Taxicab|taxi cabs]] operating in the [[city]] and another 2,000 operating somewhat illegally. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://nftvb.com/sofia.htm |title=National Federation of the Taxi Drivers in Bulgaria. Regional Member Sofia |publisher=nftvb.com |accessdate=2008-05-24 |last= |first= }} </ref> Low fares in comparison with other European countries, make taxis affordable and popular among a big part of the city population. With the extensive growth of private automobile ownership in the 1990s the number of [[car]]s registered in Sofia has exceeded 1,000,000 in the past five years. The Sofia municipality is known for the minor and cosmetic repairs and most streets are in a poor condition<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.dnevnik.bg/show/?storyid=372682 |title=Fines for bad repair work - 'Dnevnik' newspaper |publisher=www.dnevnik.bg |accessdate=2008-05-24 |last= |first= }} </ref>. Consequently the [[traffic]] (and [[air pollution]]) problems of the city have become more severe. The extension of the underground system might alleviate the city's traffic problems. Sofia has a unique, very large [[cogeneration|combined heat and power (CHP)]] plant. Virtually the entire city (900,000 households and 5,900 companies) is centrally heated, using residual heat from electricity generation (3,000 [[Megawatt|MW]]) and gas- and oil-fired heating furnaces; total heat capacity is 4,640 MW. The heat distribution piping network is 900 km long and comprises 14,000 substations and 10,000 heated buildings. <center><gallery> Image:Serdika station.jpg|[[Sofia Metro|Metro]] station Serdika Image:Sofia International Terminal 2.jpg|Terminal 2 at Sofia International Airport Image:Tram in sofiacentre.jpg|Old-style tram - trams are a typical transport in Sofia Image:SofiaCitySightseeingBus.jpg|[[City Sightseeing]] Bus </gallery></center> == Architecture == ===Historical landmarks=== [[Image:Basilica st-sofia.jpg|left|thumb|220px|The [[Church of St Sophia, Sofia|Church of St Sophia]], built in the middle of the 6th century under [[Byzantine Emperor]] [[Justinian I]], gave the city its name]] A number of ancient Roman and Byzantine buildings have been preserved in the city and its outskirts. Most notably, the 10th century [[Boyana Church]] (one of the [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage protected sites]]), the [[Church of St. George, Sofia|Church of St. George]], considered the oldest building in Sofia, and the early Byzantine [[Church of St Sophia, Sofia|Church of St Sophia]]. A medieval monument of significant interest is [[The Church of St. Petka]] located in the very centre of the city providing a sharp contrast to the surrounding three [[Stalinist architecture|Socialist Classicism]] edifices of the former Party House, [[TZUM]], and [[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts|Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan]]. ===Post-liberation and Communism=== After the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878 and the establishment of an autonomous Bulgarian monarchy with its capital in Sofia, Knyaz [[Alexander of Bulgaria|Alexander Battenberg]] invited architects from [[Austria-Hungary]] to shape the new capital's architectural appearance.<ref name="Fig. Arts">{cite book | last =Collective | title =Encyclopedia of Figurative Arts in Bulgaria, volume 1 | publisher =[[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]] | date =1980 | location =Sofia | pages =pp. 209-210}}</ref> Among the architects invited to work in Bulgaria were [[Friedrich Grünanger]], [[Adolf Václav Kolář]], [[Viktor Rumpelmayer]] and others, who designed the most important public buildings needed by the newly-reestablished Bulgarian government, as well as numerous houses for the country's elite.<ref name="Fig. Arts" /> Later, many foreign-educated Bulgarian architects also contributed. The architecture of Sofia's centre is thus a combination of [[Neo-Baroque]], Neo-[[Rococo]], [[Neo-Renaissance]] and [[Neoclassicism]], with the [[Vienna Secession]] also later playing an important part, but it is mostly typically Central European. Among the most important buildings constructed in Sofia in the period are the former royal palace, today housing the [[National Art Gallery (Bulgaria)|National Art Gallery]] and the [[National Ethnographic Museum]] (1882); the [[Ivan Vazov National Theatre]] (1907); the former royal printing office, today the [[National Gallery for Foreign Art]]; the [[National Assembly of Bulgaria]] (1886), the [[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]] (1893), etc. After the Second World War and the establishment of a Communist government in Bulgaria in 1944, the architectural line was substantially altered. [[Stalinist architecture|Socialist Classicism]] public buildings emerged in the centre, but as the city grew outwards, the new neighbourhoods were dominated by many Communist-era tower blocks (''panelki'') and examples of [[Brutalist architecture]]. After the abolishment of Communism in 1989, Sofia has witnessed the construction of whole business districts and neighbourhoods, as well as modern skryscraper-like glass-fronted office buildings, but also top-class residential neighbourhoods. [[Image:Sofia-embassies-gruev.jpg|thumb|center|550px|Foreign embassies occupy some of Sofia's most beautiful historic houses]] <CENTER> <gallery> Image:Sofia-centre2-imagesfrombulgaria.JPG|The seven-storey house of Baron Gendovich, one of the first high-rise buildings in the city, was completed in 1914 Image:Mall of Sofia Gruev.jpg|A business district:<br>[[Mall of Sofia]], Sofia Tower and the first [[IMAX]] cinema in Southeastern Europe. Image:Architecture in sofia.jpg|Typical Architecture Image:Sofiacentrelights.jpg|Street Lamps Image:Sofiatypicalnarrowstreet.jpg|A typical narrow street in Sofia Image:National-theatre-bulgaria.JPG|Neoclassical architecture Image:Sofianationaltheatrepanorama.PNG|View of Central Sofia Image:Sofia_TZUM_night.JPG| Central Department Store </gallery> </CENTER> ==Education== [[Image:Uni-sofia1-imagesfrombulgaria.JPG|thumb|150px|[[Sofia University]]]] There are 16 [[university|universities]] in Sofia. The [[Saint Clement of Ohrid University of Sofia]] is often regarded as the most prestigious university of Bulgaria, being founded in 1888<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.uni-sofia.bg/history-art/history/years.html |title=Official website of the Sofia university - History |publisher=www.uni-sofia.bg |accessdate=2008-05-31 |last= |first= }} </ref> and having an incoming class of 14,000 students each year. Other important universities include the [[National Academy of Arts]], the [[Technical University of Sofia]], the [[University for National and World Economics]], [[Sofia Medical University]], the [[Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts]], the [[University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy]], the [[University of Forestry, Sofia|University of Forestry]] and [[New Bulgarian University]]. Furthermore, institutions of national significance, such as the [[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]] and the [[SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library]] are located in Sofia. The [[American College of Sofia]], founded in 1860 and often regarded as the oldest American academic institution outside the [[United States]]<ref>This title is also claimed by [[Robert College]], founded in 1863, due to the name and constitutional changes in the American College of Sofia's history.</ref> provides secondary education to some of Bulgaria's brightest students.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.acs.bg/en/acs_overview.php?case=3 |title=American College of Sofia |publisher=www.acs.bg |accessdate=2008-05-31 |last= |first= }} </ref> == Sport == [[Image:PFC Levski Sofia vs Chelsea FC, UEFA Champions League 2006-07, Sofia, Bulgaria.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Top-level football in Sofia: [[PFC Levski Sofia]] playing [[Chelsea F.C.]] at the [[Vasil Levski National Stadium]] during the [[UEFA Champions League 2006-07]]]] Being the country's capital, Sofia is also the centre of Bulgaria's sporting activities, with a large number of sports clubs based in the city. These include most of Bulgaria's primary football teams, such as [[CSKA Sofia|CSKA]], [[Levski Sofia|Levski]], [[Lokomotiv Sofia]] and [[Slavia Sofia|Slavia]], as well as formerly great clubs like [[Akademik Sofia|Akademik]], [[Spartak Sofia]] and [[Septemvri Sofia|Septemvri]] <ref> {{cite web |url=http://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B8_(%D0%A1%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%8F) |title=See the article on the Bulgarian Wikipedia {{bg icon}} |publisher=bg.wikipedia.org |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref>. The capital's dominance in the sport is reflected in the fact that Sofia-based teams, including dissolved clubs like [[AS-23|A.S. 23]] <ref> {{cite web |url=http://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D0%A1-23 |title=Article about the club on the Bulgarian wikipedia {{bg icon}} |publisher=bg.wikipedia.org |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref>, have been Bulgarian football champions on all but thirteen occasions since the national league was formed in 1923. Although [[Football (soccer)|football]] is arguably the most popular sport in the city, as well as the whole country, sports such as [[basketball]] and [[volleyball]] also have strong traditions in Sofia. The most notable basketball team in the capital is [[PBC Lukoil Academic|Lukoil Academic]], who were twice [[Euroleague#Champions_1958-2008|European Champions Cup finalists]]. While no major volleyball teams exist at club level (excluding multiple times champion and Volleyball Champions League participant [[Levski Sikonko]]), Bulgaria has always been among the world's top nations at the sport. The [[Bulgarska Federatsiya Volejbol|Bulgarian Volleyball Federation]] is the world's second-oldest, and it was an exhibition tournament organised by them in Sofia that in 1957 convinced the [[IOC]] to include volleyball as an [[Volleyball_at_the_Summer_Olympics#History|olympic sport]].<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.balkanvolleyball.org/News.htm |title=BVA-News |publisher=www.balkanvolleyball.org |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref> Tennis is another sport gaining popularity in Sofia. Currently there are some ten<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.sofia.bg/templkomp.asp?ime=TENISK%7D&title=%D1%F2%EE%EB%E8%F7%E5%ED%20%EA%EE%EC%EF%E0%F1&pathtitle=sport&opis=%D1%EF%EE%F0%F2 |title=Sofia municipality - Tennis courts |publisher=www.sofia.bg |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref> [[Tennis court]] complexes within the city including the one founded by former [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] top-ten athlete [[Magdalena Maleeva]].<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.maleevaclub.com/ |title=Тенис Клуб Малееви |publisher=www.maleevaclub.com |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref> While [[rugby]] is a minor sport in Bulgaria, and certainly not a spectator sport, there are several [[Rugby union in Bulgaria|rugby clubs]] in Sofia for aficionados of the game. Most other sports, especially individual sports like [[boxing]], [[wrestling]], [[archery]], etc. can also be practiced at the sports complex of the [[National Sports Academy (Bulgaria)|NSA]] or at that of any of the sports clubs mentioned above. This is because, during the communist era, all sports clubs concentrated on all-round sporting development. Sofia applied to host the Winter Olympic Games in 1992 and in 1994, coming 2nd and 3rd respectively. The city was also an applicant for the [[2014 Winter Olympics]], but was not selected as candidate. In addition, Sofia hosted [[Eurobasket 1957]] and the [[1961 Summer Universiade|1961]] and [[1977 Summer Universiade]]s, as well as the [[1983 Winter Universiade|1983]] and [[1989 Winter Universiade|1989 winter editions]]. === Venues === The capital is also home to a large number of sports venues, including the 43,000-seat [[Vasil Levski National Stadium]] which hosts most major outdoor events in Bulgaria, Levski Sofia's [[Georgi Asparuhov Stadium]], CSKA Sofia's [[Bulgarska Armia|Balgarska Armiya Stadium]], Slavia Sofia's [[Ovcha Kupel Stadium]], and [[Lokomotiv Stadium (Sofia)|Lokomotiv Stadium]] stadium, which has hosted many major music concerts in recent years. Another important sports facility is the 3,000-capacity [[Universiade Hall]], where in turn many indoor events are held, including Akademik's European basketball games. There are two ice skating complexes - the [[Winter Palace of Sports]] (capacity 4,000) and the [[Slavia Winter Stadium]] (capacity 2,000), both containing two rinks each.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://kunki.org/page.php?9 |title=www.kunki.org: Skate rinks in Sofia |publisher=kunki.org |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref> There is a [[velodrome]] with 5,000 seats in the city's [[Borisova gradina|central park]]. It is currently disused but undergoing renovation.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://journey.bg/bulgaria/bulgaria.php?guide=1916 |title=Journey.bg - History of the Sofia velodrome |publisher=journey.bg |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref> ==Recreation== Most football stadiums have tennis courts, [[astroturf]] pitches and other sports facilities joined to them, and there are other such facilities scattered throughout the city, mainly in the parks. There are also various other all-round sports complexes in the city which belong to institutions other than the football clubs, such as those of the [[National Sports Academy (Bulgaria)|National Sports Academy]], of the [[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]], or those of the capital's various universities. There are more than fifteen swimming complexes in the city, most of them outdoor.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://tonus.tialoto.bg/article.php?id=2277 |title=Swimming pools in Sofia (including Spa centers) |publisher=tonus.tialoto.bg |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref> Nearly all of these were constructed as competition venues and therefore have seating facilities for several hundred people each. There are two golf courses just to the east of Sofia - in [[Elin Pelin]] (St Sofia club) and in [[Ihtiman]] (Air Sofia club), and a horseriding club (St George club). The capital's main attraction is probably the ample opportunity provided to Sofianites for making use of the city's sprawling parklands, many of which are densely forested. There are four such major parks - [[Borisova Gradina|Tsar Boris's Garden]] in the city centre, as well as the ''Southern'', ''Western'' and ''Northern'' and several other smaller parks, most notable of which is the [[City Garden (Sofia)|City Garden]]. The [[Vitosha Nature Park]] (the oldest [[national park]] in the [[Balkans]] <ref> {{cite web |url=http://journey.bg/bulgaria/bulgaria.php?&gtype=21 |title=National parks in the world {{bg icon}} |publisher=journey.bg |accessdate=2008-05-24 |last= |first= }} </ref>), which includes a big part of the [[Vitosha|Vitosha mountain]] to the south of Sofia, covers an area of almost 270 sq km and lies entirely within the city limits.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.vitoshamount.hit.bg/ |title=Vitosha Mountain |publisher=www.vitoshamount.hit.bg |accessdate=2008-05-11 |last= |first= }} </ref> Many Sofianites take weekly hikes up the mountain, and most do so at least a couple of times a year. There are bungalows as well as several ski slopes on Vitosha, allowing locals to take full advantage of the countryside and of the mountains without having to leave the city. [[Image:Aleko Zima - za wikipedia.jpg|800px|thumb|Winter Vitosha Panorama]] ==Mass media== [[Image:The TV Tower.jpg|thumb|The TV Tower on the mountain in Vitosha]] Some of the biggest and most popular telecommunications companies, TV and radio stations, cable television companies, newspapers, magazines, and web portals are based in Sofia. Some television companies and channels include [[Bulgarian National Television]] (featuring [[BNT Channel 1]] and [[TV Bulgaria]]), [[BTV (Bulgaria)|bTV]] and [[Nova Television]] among others. Top-circulation newspapers include ''[[24 chasa]]'', ''[[Trud (Bulgarian newspaper)|Trud]]'', ''[[Sega (newspaper)|Sega]]'' and others. ==Notable people== : ''See also: [[:Category:People from Sofia]]'' People that were born in Sofia: * [[Galerius]] (c. 250–311), [[Roman Emperor]] (near Sofia, then Serdica) * [[Elisaveta Bagryana]] (1893–1991), Bulgarian poetess * [[Boris III of Bulgaria|Boris III]] (1894–1943), [[List of Bulgarian monarchs|Tsar of Bulgaria]] * [[Assen Jordanoff]] (1896–1967), [[Bulgarian-American]] aviation pioneer * [[Patriarch Cyril|Cyril]] (1901–1971), [[Patriarch of All Bulgaria|Patriarch of Bulgaria]] * [[Valeri Petrov]] (b. 1920), Bulgarian writer * [[Stoyanka Mutafova]] (b. 1922), Bulgarian actress * [[Itzhak Fintzi]] (b. 1933), Bulgarian actor * [[Simeon II of Bulgaria|Simeon II]] (b. 1937), Tsar of Bulgaria and former [[Prime Minister of Bulgaria]] * Prof. [[Svetla Protich]] (b. 1939), Bulgarian classical pianist * [[Stefan Danailov]] (b. 1942), Bulgarian actor and Minister of Culture * [[Georgi Asparuhov]] (1943–1971), Bulgarian football player * [[Borislav Mikhailov]] (b. 1963), Bulgarian football player and [[Bulgarian Soccer Union]] president * [[Evgenia Radanova]] (b. 1977), Bulgarian ice skater * [[Mira Aroyo]] (b. 1977), member of the band [[Ladytron]] * [[Antoaneta Stefanova]] (b. 1979), Bulgarian chess player and [[Women's World Chess Champion]] * [[Stanislav Ianevski]] (b. 1985), Bulgarian actor * [[Alice Panikian]] (b. 1985), Miss Universe Canada 2006 * [[Viktor Antonov]] , Main Art designer of [[Valve]] worked on [[Half-Life 2]] video-game series. ==Sister cities== {|width=100% |valign=top| * {{flagicon|Algeria}} '''[[Algiers]]''', [[Algeria]] * {{flagicon|Turkey}} '''[[Ankara]]''', [[Turkey]] * {{flagicon|Greece}} '''[[Athens]]''', [[Greece]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} '''[[Berlin]]''', [[Germany]] * {{flagicon|Slovakia}} '''[[Bratislava]]''', [[Slovakia]] * {{flagicon|Belgium}} '''[[Brussels]]''', [[Belgium]] * {{flagicon|Hungary}} '''[[Budapest]]''', [[Hungary]] * {{flagicon|Finland}} '''[[Helsinki]]''', [[Finland]] |valign="top"| * {{flagicon|Ukraine}} '''[[Kiev]]''', [[Ukraine]] * {{flagicon|UK}} '''[[London]]''', [[UK]] * {{flagicon|France}} '''[[Paris]]''', [[France]] * {{flagicon|USA}} '''[[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]]''', [[USA]] * {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} '''[[Prague]]''', [[Czech Republic]] * {{flagicon|Russia}} '''[[St. Petersburg]]''', [[Russia]] * {{flagicon|Israel}} '''[[Tel Aviv]]''', [[Israel]] * {{flagicon|Poland}} '''[[Warsaw]]''', [[Poland]] |} == See also == {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} == References == {{reflist|2}} == Further reading == * {{cite web| url=http://sofia.bg/history_content.asp| title=Sofia — 127 Years Capital| accessdate=2006-04-05| publisher=Municipality of Sofia| language=Bulgarian}} ==External links== {{portalpar|Bulgaria|Flag of Bulgaria.svg}} {{sisterlinks}} * [http://www.sofia.bg/en/index_en.asp City of Sofia] * [http://www.sofiacouncil.bg/ Sofia City Council] {{bg icon}} * [http://www.stara-sofia.com/ Sofia in old pictures and postcards] * {{wikitravel}} * {{wikia|world:Sofia|Sofia}} * {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Bulgaria/Provinces/Sofia_City}} * [http://www.360.bg/ Virtual panoramas from Sofia] {{Capital cities of the European Union}} {{Cities in Bulgaria}} {{Provinces of Bulgaria}} {{Capitals of Bulgaria}} [[Category:Capitals in Europe]] [[Category:Cities and towns in Bulgaria]] [[Category:Provinces of Bulgaria]] [[Category:Settlements established in the 8th century BC]] [[Category:Sofia| ]] {{Link FA|bg}} [[af:Sofia]] [[am:ሶፊያ]] [[ar:صوفيا]] [[an:Sofiya]] [[roa-rup:Sofia]] [[frp:Sofia]] [[ast:Sofía]] [[az:Sofiya]] [[be:Горад Сафія]] [[be-x-old:Сафія]] [[bo:སོ་ཧྥི་ཡ]] [[bs:Sofija]] [[br:Sofia]] [[bg:София]] [[ca:Sofia]] [[cv:София]] [[cs:Sofie]] [[co:Sofia]] [[cy:Sofia]] [[da:Sofia]] [[de:Sofia]] [[dsb:Sofija]] [[et:Sofia]] [[el:Σόφια]] [[myv:София ош]] [[es:Sofía]] [[eo:Sofio]] [[eu:Sofia]] [[fa:صوفیه]] [[fo:Sofia]] [[fr:Sofia]] [[gv:Sofia]] [[gd:Sofia]] [[gl:Sofia - София]] [[ko:소피아]] [[hy:Սոֆիա]] [[hr:Sofija (grad)]] [[io:Sofiya]] [[id:Sofia]] [[ia:Sofia]] [[is:Sófía]] [[it:Sofia]] [[he:סופיה]] [[jv:Sofia]] [[ka:სოფია]] [[kk:София]] [[kw:Sofia]] [[sw:Sofia]] [[ht:Sofia]] [[ku:Sofia]] [[la:Serdica]] [[lv:Sofija]] [[lt:Sofija]] [[lij:Sòfia]] [[hu:Szófia]] [[mk:Софија]] [[ms:Sofia]] [[nl:Sofia (stad)]] [[ja:ソフィア (ブルガリア)]] [[no:Sofia]] [[nn:Sofia]] [[nov:Sofia]] [[oc:Sòfia, Bulgaria]] [[pms:Sòfia]] [[pl:Sofia]] [[pt:Sófia]] [[crh:Sofiya]] [[ro:Sofia]] [[rmy:Sofiya]] [[qu:Sofiya]] [[ru:София]] [[se:Sofia]] [[sq:Sofja]] [[simple:Sofia]] [[sk:Sofia]] [[cu:Софїꙗ]] [[sr:Софија]] [[sh:Sofija]] [[fi:Sofia]] [[sv:Sofia (stad)]] [[tl:Sofia]] [[tt:Sofia]] [[vi:Sofia (tỉnh)]] [[tg:София]] [[tpi:Sofia]] [[tr:Sofya]] [[uk:Софія]] [[vo:Sofiya]] [[wo:Sofiya]] [[yi:סאפיע, בולגאריע]] [[bat-smg:Sofėjė]] [[zh:索菲亞]]