11

22

Sofia is the largest city in Bulgaria. In 1870, Sofia is the largest city in Bulgaria. In 1870, there there werewere about 19,000 inhabitants, while about 19,000 inhabitants, while the largest city at that time, Stara Zagorathe largest city at that time, Stara Zagora numbered 25,480 inhabitants. numbered 25,480 inhabitants.

33

Sofia is one of the oldest European capitals. Its Sofia is one of the oldest European capitals. Its history can be traced back to Neolithic times. history can be traced back to Neolithic times. Traces of several Neolithic settlements have been Traces of several Neolithic settlements have been discovered on its territory dating from 5000 BCdiscovered on its territory dating from 5000 BC..

44

Sofia is located close to the northern slope of the Sofia is located close to the northern slope of the Vitosha mountain, surrounded by mountains Stara Vitosha mountain, surrounded by mountains Stara Planina, Vitosha, Lyulin, Lozen Mountain. Five Planina, Vitosha, Lyulin, Lozen Mountain. Five mountain passes lead to the city - Iskar, Vladayski, mountain passes lead to the city - Iskar, Vladayski,

Dragoman, Petrohan and Botevgrad.Dragoman, Petrohan and Botevgrad.

55

The The Church "Holy Church "Holy Sunday" is a Sunday" is a medieval churchmedieval church. It . It was was damage damagedd then then reconstructed. The reconstructed. The most famous attack most famous attack was in 1925 when was in 1925 when more than 150 peoplemore than 150 people were killedwere killed. The . The temple was officially temple was officially inaugurated on April inaugurated on April 7, 1933 7, 1933 , the , the wall wall decoration decoration waswas made made from 1971 to 1973 by from 1971 to 1973 by the artistic team the artistic team headed by Nikolai headed by Nikolai Rostovtsev.Rostovtsev.

66

77

The past of our capitalThe past of our capital

• More than 2000. ThracianMore than 2000. ThracianSerdi tribe based its settlement.Serdi tribe based its settlement.The Romans called it Serdika.The Romans called it Serdika.By By Slavs it was named Sredets Slavs it was named Sredets ..

• Later Later it it was called Sofiawas called Sofiathe name of the great Christianthe name of the great Christianchurch "St. Sofia" church "St. Sofia"

88

Many wreckages Many wreckages of enthralled walls of enthralled walls and temples for and temples for these times can be these times can be seen in the city seen in the city today.today.

• One of the oldest One of the oldest historical monuments historical monuments is the church "Saint is the church "Saint George" George"

99

Sofia todaySofia today • Nowadays Sofia is the most important economic, cultural, Nowadays Sofia is the most important economic, cultural,

transport and scientific center in Bulgaria. transport and scientific center in Bulgaria.

There are many companiesThere are many companiesthatthat produce produce variety of goods.variety of goods.

1010

TThe National Assembly, the he National Assembly, the Presidency Council of Ministers and Presidency Council of Ministers and the Law Courtsthe Law Courts are situated in our are situated in our capital.capital.

Presidency Presidency

National National AssemblyAssembly

1111

Council minister Council minister buildingbuilding

Courthouse Courthouse

1212

Here is one of the Here is one of the oldest universities in oldest universities in the Balkan the Balkan peninsula, “St. peninsula, “St. Clement Orhidski ”Clement Orhidski ”

Beside it is the Beside it is the National Library "St. St. National Library "St. St. Cyril and MethodiusCyril and Methodius " "

1313

In the city center In the city center stands stands thethe cathedral cathedral "Alexander Nevsky""Alexander Nevsky"

1414

Central ParkCentral Park

1515

Nearby is the Nearby is the National National Theatre "Ivan Theatre "Ivan Vazov Vazov ””

In the capital there In the capital there are many research are many research institutes, institutes, an an opera, opera, theaters, concert theaters, concert halls, museums, halls, museums, exhibition galleries exhibition galleries and more.and more.

1616

• Levski’s monumentLevski’s monument

the Tsar Liberatorthe Tsar Liberator

1717

The National stadium "Vasil Levski" is the The National stadium "Vasil Levski" is the largest sports facility in Bulgaria. The largest sports facility in Bulgaria. The stadium has 43,230 spectator seats. It is stadium has 43,230 spectator seats. It is located in the city center.located in the city center.Officially opened in 1953, but mainly Officially opened in 1953, but mainly reconstructed in 1966 and 2002.reconstructed in 1966 and 2002.

1818

Nearby Nearby Sofia Sofia is the is the beautiful Vitosha Mountain beautiful Vitosha Mountain - another symbol of the city - another symbol of the city that offers wonderful that offers wonderful opportunities for opportunities for

recreation.recreation.

1919

2020

SofiaSofia ‘s coat of arms‘s coat of arms

It’s in the shape of a It’s in the shape of a shield and has 4 shield and has 4

equal parts: St Sofia, equal parts: St Sofia, Vitosha, Apollo the Vitosha, Apollo the

Healer and the Healer and the mineral springs.mineral springs.

In the middle is the In the middle is the Bulgarian state Bulgarian state symbol- a lion.symbol- a lion.