SOFIA - OVERVIEW ESSAY

the area of sofia was settled already in roman times, since 29 b.c., as "serdica". in later centuries, it was raided by huns, visigoths, avars and slavs. in 809 it became the capital of an bulgarian state, now called sredets. from 1382 onwards it belonged to the ottoman empire. in 1879, when an independent country "bulgaria" was installed, sofia became again its formal capital.

the most impressive building of sofia is its mighty cathedral, the st. alexander nevsky cathedral, a modern building yet designed in classical style.

several mosques have survived.

further very large buildings are parliament and main theatre.

the inner city shows all sorts of urban features, and has friendly character.

sofia has a very large market area, and, beside food, about everything is traded and can by bought there.

when i was there, many years ago, i had the impression that visitors are very welcome in sofia.