Sofia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sofia София
Capital city
Panoramic view over central Sofia and the Vitosha Mountain Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Ivan Vazov National Theatre Banya Bashi Mosque Sofia Central Mineral Baths Church of Saint George Statue of Sveta Sofia
Flag Coat of arms
Motto(s):  "Ever growing, never aging" ("Расте, но не старее")
Sofia Location in Bulgaria Show map of Bulgaria Sofia Location in Balkans Show map of Balkans Sofia Location in Europe Show map of Europe
Country	Bulgaria
Province	Sofia City
Municipality	Capital
Cont. inhabited	since 7000 BC
Neolithic settlement	5500–6000 BC
Thracian settlement	1400 BC
Roman administration	46 AD (as Serdica)
Conquered by Krum	809 AD (as Sredets)
Area
• Capital city	500 km2 (200 sq mi)
• Urban	5,723 km2 (2,210 sq mi)
• Metro	10,738 km2 (4,146 sq mi)
Elevation	500–699 m (1,640–2,293 ft)
Population  (2024)
• Capital city	1,286,965
• Density	2,570/km2 (6,700/sq mi)
• Urban	1,547,779
• Urban density	270.449/km2 (700.46/sq mi)
• Metro	1,667,314
• Metro density	155.272/km2 (402.153/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Sofian (en) Софиянец/Sofiyanets (bg)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Area code(s)	(+359) 02
GDP per capita (2021)	45241.00 BGN
HDI (2018)	0.945 very high
Vehicle registration plate	C, CA, CB

Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. It is located in the Sofia Valley, at the foot of the Vitosha mountain. This city is in the western part of the country. Sofia is built west of the Iskar River and has many natural mineral springs. It has a humid continental climate, meaning it has warm summers and cold winters. Sofia is in the center of the Balkans, between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea. It is also close to the Aegean Sea.

Sofia has been a place where people lived for a very long time, since at least 7000 BC. In ancient times, it was known as Serdica. Later, in the Middle Ages, it was called Sredets. The city became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in 809 AD. It was then taken over by the Byzantine Empire in 1018. However, it returned to the Second Bulgarian Empire in 1194. The Ottoman Empire conquered Sofia in 1382. Bulgarian rule was restored in 1878. Sofia was chosen as the capital of the new Bulgarian state in 1879. This led to a lot of growth for the city.

Sofia is the 14th-largest city in the European Union. It is surrounded by mountains like Vitosha, Lyulin, and the Balkan Mountains. This makes it the third highest capital city in Europe. As Bulgaria's main city, Sofia is home to many important universities, cultural places, and businesses. It is known as the "triangle of religious tolerance." This is because three major religious buildings are close together: Sveta Nedelya Church (Christian), Banya Bashi Mosque (Islam), and Sofia Synagogue (Judaism). The Catholic Cathedral of St Joseph also makes it a "square" of tolerance.

Sofia is considered one of the best places for new businesses, especially in technology. It was also Europe's most affordable capital to visit in 2013. The Boyana Church in Sofia is a World Heritage Site. It is important for its history and beautiful paintings. Sofia is also home to the National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria, the National Palace of Culture, and the Ivan Vazov National Theatre.

City Names Through History

The first seal of Sofia from 1878, showing its old name Sredets.

For a long time, Sofia was called Serdica. This name came from a tribe called the Serdi. The Roman Emperor Trajan gave the city the name Ulpia Serdica. Other old names for Sofia include Serdonpolis and Triaditza.

The Slavic name Sredets means "middle". It first appeared in writing in the 11th century. The city was also called Atralisa or Strelisa by travelers.

The name Sofia comes from the Saint Sofia Church. The word "Sofia" means "wisdom" in Greek. This name started appearing in documents around the 1300s. Even then, people from the area were still called "Sredecheski." When the Ottomans ruled, they called the city Sofya. In 1879, there was a discussion about what the new capital's name should be. People decided to use Sofia for national things and Sredets for local government, but eventually, Sredets was no longer used.

Geography and Environment

Sofia City Province covers an area of 1344 square kilometers. Sofia's location in the middle of the Balkans helped it grow into an important city. It is in western Bulgaria, at the northern base of the Vitosha mountain. The Balkan Mountains are to the north. The valley where Sofia sits is about 550 meters (1,800 feet) above sea level. Sofia is the second highest capital in the European Union.

Several small rivers flow through the city, like the Boyanska and Perlovska. The Iskar River flows near eastern Sofia. It starts in Rila, Bulgaria's highest mountain. The Iskar flows north through the Sofia Valley and then through the beautiful Iskar Gorge.

The city is also known for its 49 mineral springs and hot springs. Many artificial lakes and dams were built in the 20th century.

A map of Sofia Valley. Vitosha is in the south; the Balkan Mountains define the valley's northern fringes. The Iskar flows north and forms the Iskar Gorge.

A view of the valley from the south. The Balkan Mountains and the beginning of the Iskar Gorge are visible in the distance.

Satellite photo of Sofia

Winter panorama of Sofia with Vitosha in the background

Climate and Weather

Sofia has a humid continental climate. This means it has cold, snowy winters and warm, sunny summers. The average temperature for the year is about 10.9°C (51.6°F).

In winter, temperatures can drop below -15°C (5°F). The lowest temperature ever recorded was -31.2°C (-24.2°F) in 1893. Sofia usually gets about 98 cm (38.6 inches) of snow each winter.

Summers are warm. Sofia is a bit cooler than other parts of Bulgaria because it is higher up. But heat waves can still happen, with temperatures reaching over 35°C (95°F). The highest temperature ever recorded was 40.2°C (104.4°F) in 2000.

Spring and autumn are usually short with changing weather. The city gets about 625.7 mm (24.6 inches) of rain each year. Most rain falls in late spring and early summer, often with thunderstorms.

Air Quality and Environment

Sofia's valley location can trap air pollution. This means the air can sometimes be unhealthy. Pollution comes from burning solid fuels for heating and from cars. Smog can stay over the city because the mountains stop air from moving. This makes Sofia's air pollution levels some of the highest in Europe.

Tiny particles in the air are often above safe levels. In response, the city has tried different things, like washing streets more often. However, there are still challenges to making the air cleaner.

History of Sofia

This ancient coin shows a river-god and a trident. It was made by the Serdi tribe, who gave Sofia its first name.

The eastern gate of Serdica, showing parts of the ancient city.

Sofia's history goes back almost 7,000 years. People were drawn to the area because of its hot water springs. The oldest known village was in Slatina, dating back to 5000-6000 BC.

The Thracian tribe called the Tilataei were among the first to settle here. Later, the Celtic tribe Serdi gave the city its first name, Serdica. The Romans conquered Serdica in 29 BC. It grew into an important Roman city with walls, public baths, and an amphitheatre. Serdica was a key city on the Roman road connecting important places.

Roman emperors Aurelian and Galerius were born in Serdica. In 311 AD, Emperor Galerius issued the Edict of Toleration by Galerius in Serdica. This was the first official step to make Christianity legal in the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine the Great even thought about making Serdica the capital of his empire instead of Constantinople.

The city was destroyed by the Huns in 447 AD. It was rebuilt by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.

Sofia in the Middle Ages

The 13th-century lord of Sredets, Kaloyan, and his wife Desislava, from a painting in the Boyana Church.

Serdica became part of the First Bulgarian Empire in 809 AD, after a long siege. The city was then known by its Slavic name, Sredets. It became an important fortress and center. The Bulgarian patron saint John of Rila was buried here. Sredets was even the temporary capital of Bulgaria in the late 10th century.

The city fell to the Byzantine Empire in 1018. But it was brought back into the Second Bulgarian Empire in 1194. Sredets became a major center for administration and culture. Many monasteries were built nearby, but they were later destroyed by the Ottomans.

In 1382, Sredets was taken by the Ottoman Empire after a three-month siege.

Sofia Under Ottoman Rule

From the 14th to the 19th century, Sofia was a very important center in the Ottoman Empire. It became the capital of Rumelia Eyalet, which was the main Ottoman province in Europe. Sofia was also a big trading hub.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Ottomans built many new buildings in Sofia. The city became very diverse with Muslims, Christians, Armenians, Jews, and Romani people living there. Many churches, like Saint Sofia and Saint George, were turned into mosques. New mosques were also built, including the Banya Bashi Mosque.

Sofia's importance declined in the 17th century. By the 19th century, the Bulgarian people in Sofia started to work for their national revival. They opened schools and cultural centers. In 1873, the Bulgarian revolutionary Vasil Levski was captured and executed in Sofia by the Ottomans.

Modern Sofia

The Allied bombing of Sofia during World War II in 1944.

Sofia was freed from Ottoman rule by Russian forces on January 4, 1878. It was chosen as the capital of the new Bulgarian state in 1879. At that time, only about 11,649 people lived there.

After its liberation, Sofia grew very quickly. Many people moved there from other parts of Bulgaria. In the Second Balkan War in 1913, Sofia was the first capital city to be flown over by enemy aircraft.

During World War II, Sofia was bombed by US and UK air forces in 1943 and 1944. Many buildings were destroyed. In 1944, the Soviet Red Army occupied Sofia. After the war, Bulgaria became a communist country. Sofia's population grew even more, and new neighborhoods were built.

After communism ended in 1989, Sofia changed a lot. Many old street names were brought back. The city continued to grow and develop.

Cityscape and Architecture

A view over central Sofia, with the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Vitosha mountain in the background.

Sofia has many different types of buildings. You can see ancient Roman ruins, medieval Bulgarian fortresses, and newer styles. These include Neoclassicism and modern glass buildings.

After Bulgaria gained independence, architects from Austria-Hungary helped design the new capital. They built important public buildings and homes in styles like Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance.

After World War II, when a communist government was in charge, the architecture changed. Large government buildings were built in a style called Stalinist Gothic. New neighborhoods had many concrete apartment blocks.

Since 1989, Sofia has seen new business districts and modern office buildings. The Capital Fort Business Centre is the first skyscraper in Bulgaria. However, there has also been a lot of unplanned building.

Interior of the ancient Saint Sofia Church

Neoclassical architecture at the Polygraphia office center

Green Spaces and Parks

Borisova gradina park in autumn.

Sofia has many green areas and parks. The main parks are Borisova gradina in the city center, and the Southern, Western, and Northern parks. There are also smaller parks like Vazrazhdane Park and City Garden.

The Vitosha Nature Park is the oldest national park in the Balkans. It covers a large part of Vitosha mountain, and about half of it is within Sofia's city limits. Vitosha is a popular place for hiking. In winter, you can ski there.

Culture and Attractions

Cathedral dedicated to Alexander Nevsky.

Sofia is a center for arts and entertainment in Bulgaria. Theater is very popular. The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is the most famous theater. The National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria has been performing since 1909. Many famous opera singers started their careers there.

Movies are also very popular. Many modern cinemas are in shopping centers. The Nu Boyana Film Studios are used to film many action movies.

Museums and Galleries

The Museum of Contemporary Art.

Sofia has Bulgaria's largest art museums. The National Art Gallery is in the former royal palace. It has a huge collection of art from different cultures and times. The crypt of the Alexander Nevsky cathedral also has a collection of old Eastern Orthodox icons.

The National History Museum has over 650,000 historical items. These items range from ancient times to today. The National Archaeological Museum is in a former mosque. It displays historical items too. Other museums include the Natural History Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Military History Museum.

The SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library is the country's main library. It holds millions of books and documents.

Inside the medieval Boyana Church, showing its famous frescoes.

The Banya Bashi Mosque, a beautiful example of Ottoman architecture.

The Boyana Church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has amazing frescoes (wall paintings) from the 13th century. These paintings show more than 240 people and 89 scenes. They are very realistic and important for art history.

Popular Tourist Spots

Sofia is a popular place for tourists. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of Bulgaria's most famous symbols. It was built in the late 19th century and can hold 10,000 people.

In the city center, you can see many remains of ancient Serdica. These include old city walls, Roman baths, and the 4th-century Rotunda of St. George.

Vitosha Boulevard, also called Vitoshka, is a street just for walking. It has many cafes, restaurants, and shops. Sofia's location near the Vitosha mountain also adds to its special feel.

• Some of tourist attraction in Sofia
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  Ivan Vazov National Theatre

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  Vitosha Boulevard, the main shopping street in the city

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  Central Sofia Market Hall

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  Church of Saint George

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  National Gallery for Foreign Art

Sports in Sofia

Vasil Levski National Stadium.

Sofia has many sports clubs. During the communist era, clubs like CSKA and Levski were strong in many sports, not just football. Basketball and volleyball are also very popular. The Bulgarian Volleyball Federation is one of the oldest in the world.

Sofia tried to host the Winter Olympic Games in 1992, 1994, and 2014. The city has hosted other big sports events, like the 1957 EuroBasket and the Universiade (a sports event for university students). In 2012, it hosted the FIVB World League finals for volleyball.

The city has several large sports venues. The Vasil Levski National Stadium can hold 43,000 people and hosts international football matches. Arena Sofia is a large indoor arena that can hold up to 19,000 people. There are also two ice skating complexes.

Tennis is becoming more popular. There are many tennis courts in the city. Sofia was named the European Capital of Sport in 2018. This was because it promotes sports for everyone.

Arena Sofia during the ATP Sofia Open tennis tournament.

Population and Demographics

Sofia population pyramid in 2021, showing the age groups of its residents.

In 2018, Sofia had about 1.4 million residents. The entire Sofia Capital Municipality had about 1.5 million people. The first count in 1878 found 11,694 people living in Sofia. Most were Bulgarians, but there were also Jews, Turks, and Romani people.

Sofia's population has grown a lot because many people move there from other parts of Bulgaria. In 2011, the largest age group was people aged 20–24. Most citizens are Eastern Orthodox Christians. Many people in Sofia have a university degree.

Most people in Sofia work in trading or manufacturing. Most homes have access to television and the internet. Over 99.6% of people over 9 years old can read and write. Many families in Sofia have two or three people.

Sofia became the capital in 1879. In 1880, it was the fifth-largest city in Bulgaria. By 1892, Sofia became the most populated city. Today, about 17% of Bulgaria's population lives in Sofia.

• Religious buildings in Sofia
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  Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

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  Russian Church

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  Cathedral of St Joseph

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  Sofia Synagogue

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  Banya Bashi Mosque

Economy and Business

The Bulgarian National Bank headquarters.

Sofia is a very important economic center for Bulgaria. Many major Bulgarian and international companies have their main offices here. The Bulgarian National Bank and the Bulgarian Stock Exchange are also in Sofia.

In 2015, Sofia was ranked among the top cities for growth in jobs and economy in Southeast Europe. Forbes magazine listed Sofia as one of the top 10 places in the world to start a new business. This is because of low taxes, fast internet, and available investment funds.

Business Park Sofia.

The city's economy is mostly based on services. However, manufacturing is also growing. Sofia is a big center for Information technology (IT). Many large international tech companies have offices and research centers in Sofia. The IT sector employs about 50,000 people.

Manufacturing has also grown a lot since 2012. Sofia is focusing on making high-tech products like electrical equipment and medicines. There are 16 industrial and logistics parks in and around Sofia.

Serdika Center Sofia, a modern shopping mall.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sofia is a major hub for travel by train and car. Three important European transport routes cross through the city. All main types of transport, except water transport, are available in Sofia.

A Siemens Desiro train at the Central Railway Station.

Krasno Selo Metro Station.

The Central Railway Station is the main place for train travel. It connects Sofia to other cities in Bulgaria and other countries. Sofia Airport handled over 7 million passengers in 2023.

Public transport is very good in Sofia. There are many bus, tram, and trolleybus lines. The Sofia Metro (subway) started in 1998 and now has four lines and 47 stations. It helps people get around the city quickly. The metro even goes to Sofia Airport and Business Park Sofia.

There are about 13,000 taxi cabs in the city. You can also use carsharing services with electric cars.

Cherni Vrah Boulevard, a busy street in Sofia.

Many people in Sofia own cars, which has led to more traffic and air pollution. The city is working to improve its streets. Extending the metro system is hoped to help with traffic problems.

Sofia has a large district heating system. This means most homes get heat from central plants. This system uses energy efficiently.

Education and Science

Sofia University, one of Bulgaria's top universities.

The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Sofia has many schools and universities. There are 221 general schools and many specialized schools for arts or sports. The city also has 23 of Bulgaria's 51 universities. More than 105,000 students attend university in Sofia.

The American College of Sofia is a private high school with a long history. Many language schools teach in foreign languages like English, German, and Spanish.

The top universities include Sofia University, the Technical University of Sofia, and the Medical University of Sofia. Sofia University was founded in 1888 and has over 20,000 students.

Other important places for science are in Sofia, like the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). BAS is the main center for scientific research in Bulgaria. It has many institutes and scientists. All five of Bulgaria's supercomputers are also in Sofia.

International Connections

Sister Cities

Sofia is connected with many cities around the world. These are called sister cities:

• Algiers, Algeria
• Amman, Jordan
• Ankara, Turkey
• Bucharest, Romania
• Doha, Qatar
• Kyiv, Ukraine
• Pittsburgh, United States
• Salalah, Oman
• Shanghai, China
• Sidon, Lebanon
• Tel Aviv, Israel
• Tbilisi, Georgia

Cooperation Agreements

Sofia also works closely with these cities:

• Budapest, Hungary
• Paris, France
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Madrid, Spain
• Yerevan, Armenia

Honors

Serdica Peak on Livingston Island in Antarctica is named after Serdica, Sofia's ancient name.

Media in Sofia

Public Media

• Bulgarian News Agency (since 1898)
• Bulgarian National Radio (since 1935)
• Bulgarian National Television (since 1959)

Private Media

• Nova Broadcasting Group (since 1994)
• bTV Media Group (since 2000)

Images for kids

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  Sofia Central Mineral Baths

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  Church of Saint George

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  Statue of Sveta Sofia

See also

In Spanish: Sofía para niños