"Sofia" Sofia by Izvor

Sofia Travel Guide: 1,910 reviews and 3,512 photos

Updating

Spring 2005

For all VT members who request more info about Sofia :):

I am sorry but I do not have the time to update the page. I am working now on my external web page about Sofia. Everybody are welcomed ot visit me there!

All VT members who have visited Sofia are welcome to send me any comments (especially bad ones) on my Sofia tips. Please let me know if you find any of my tips not accurate. And of course, all who are going to visit or just have some specific interest in Sofia are always welcome to ask me for additional info.
Thank you all for the nice comments!

Little bit of well known history

several images from Sofia

Sofia has a history that goes back thousands of years. Through the centuries, many peoples have inhabited it and added to its rich and diverse history. Numerous Neolithic villages have been discovered in the area, while a chalocolithic settlement has been recently discovered in the very center of modern Sofia.

The Thracian Serdi tribe settled here in the 7th century BC and gave the first recorded name of Sofia -- Serdica. The Byzantines called it Triaditsa and the Slavs - Sredets. The modern city of Sofia was named in the 14th century after the basilica St. Sofia. In Greek, word sofia means wisdom. In the 3rd century AD, the Romans built strong walls around Serdica, their capital of Inner Dacia and an important stopping point on the Roman road from Naisus (present Nish, Yugoslavia) to Constantinople.

Today there are many archaeological sites in Sofia, that display the city's diverse history - the castle gates and towers of Serdica, public buildings and streets thousands of years old. A large part of the ancient city of Serdica is underneath important modern buildings. The ancient city council (bulefteris) is hidden under the "Sheraton" hotel, while a number of basilicas are below the Hall of Justice. The Roman thermal baths are under the Sofia Mineral Baths and a Roman residence with elaborate mosaics is below the "Rila" hotel.

Saborna Street

After the Hun invasion of 441, the town was rebuilt by the Byzantines. The Slavs gave Sredets a key role in the First Bulgarian Empire, then in 1018 the Byzantines retook Triaditsa. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians returned and Sredets became a major trading center of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The Turks captured Sofia in 1382 and made it the center of the Rumelian beylerbeyship. The city declined during the feudal unrest of the 19th century, but with the establishment of the Third Bulgarian Empire in 1879, Sofia once again became the capital of Bulgaria.

Rapidly the city's image changed from an Oriental, to a European. Today many streets, buildings, parks, and even whole neighborhoods preserve the architectural style from the turn of the century. Between 1879 and 1939, the population of Sofia grew from 20 000 to 300 000, while today 1 250 000 people live in Sofia.

Pros and Cons

Pros:It's all about spirit!
In a nutshell:"Ever Growing, Never Aging!"

Intro Updated Apr 4, 2005
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Reviews (34)

A sunset in Nadezhda Off The Beaten Path (5)

As much as I love my neighborhood, I must admit, the few tall buildings could really get in the way... especially when... more travel advice

Street signs and ads Local Customs (2)

Very many street signs and ads in Sofia are actually in English. Unfortunately, I guess this applies only to useless... more travel advice

Latino Restaurants (1)

This is a Latino orientated Restaurant. Not too good to be honest but the waitress are nice and funny. Nice... more travel advice

Small shops Shopping (1)

In the center of Sofia there are many small shops like the one on the picture. They are pretty expensive and don't have... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (2)
See All Hitch-hiking
Favorites (1)
Mineral Water Springs
What to Pack (1)
A camera is enough!
Things to Do (7)
See All National Gallery of Art

Nightlife (12)
See All Spartacus
Tourist Traps (1)
Driving and parking
Transportation (1)
Taxi
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Comments (47)

planxty May 24, 2009 at 11:48 AM Report Abuse

Hi Maria, very useful Sofia page, thank you. fergy.
newtrane May 4, 2006 at 7:46 AM Report Abuse

I am looking for good local tailors and/or shoemakers in Sofia (or any other city in Bulgaria) and would very much appreciate any recommendations. Many thanks for your help and kindest regards!
Siddha3th Mar 27, 2005 at 2:16 AM Report Abuse

These photographs are really beautiful. Thanks for the virtual walk through your hometown, Maria :) Take care... Siddharth
Doug-o Dec 18, 2004 at 5:56 PM Report Abuse

♥€ Благодаря. I can see why this is rated in the top 5. Lots of work and good information.
RedEaredPanda Oct 22, 2004 at 8:21 AM Report Abuse

Excellent pages on Sofia in Bulgaria.. Would love to visit Eastern Europe and Bulgaria one day.. Have a few friends from there with whom I always talk travel and fun.. Thanks for sharing your tips and photos... Rafi
tak_pap Oct 14, 2004 at 7:18 AM Report Abuse

wonderful presentation - Happy Birthday !
Lion_Beat Aug 26, 2004 at 8:27 AM Report Abuse

Good background info, waiting to see your promises come true! It seems to me that the central area is all about Tzar Osvoboditel Blvd?
Andraf Jun 3, 2004 at 10:15 AM Report Abuse

Great page. I would like very much to visit Sofia, I don't know why I didn't do that so far (I guess it was too close to home).
MITNIC May 17, 2004 at 1:19 AM Report Abuse

An excellent presentation of Sofia! It is something more than a guide, thanks to your warm Writing! Very nice photos too!
kalenderov Apr 1, 2004 at 6:03 AM Report Abuse

Maria, thank you for the beautiful pages!