View source for Sofia

{{short description|Capital and largest city of Bulgaria}}
{{About|the capital and largest city of Bulgaria|the given names|Sofia (given name)|and|Sofija (given name)|and|Sofiya (given name)|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Sofia
 | native_name              = {{Nobold|София}}
 | native_name_lang         = 
 | settlement_type          = [[Capital city]]
 | image_skyline            = 
<!-- images and maps  -----------> {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| perrow            = 1/2/2/2
| total_width       = 250
| image1 = Russian church (37591925970).jpg
| caption1 = Panoramic view over central Sofia and the [[Vitosha Mountain]]
| image2 = Catedral de Alejandro Nevski -- 2019 -- Sofía, Bulgaria.jpg
| caption2 = [[Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia|Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]]
| image3 = IvanVazov National Theatre 7.jpg
| caption3 = [[Ivan Vazov National Theatre]]
| image4 = Banya Bashi Mosque (37849692391) (cropped).jpg
| caption4 = [[Banya Bashi Mosque]]
| image5 = Sofia bathroom.jpg
| caption5 = [[Sofia Central Mineral Baths]]
| image6 = St. George Rotunda, Sofia, Bulgaria (17680380465).jpg
| caption6 = [[Church of Saint George, Sofia|Church of Saint George]]
| image7 = Sofia '17 (24614482817).jpg
| caption7 = [[Statue of Sveta Sofia]]
}}
 | image_caption            = 
 | image_flag               = BG Sofia flag.svg
 | image_shield             = BG_Sofia_coa.svg
 | motto                    = "Ever growing, never aging"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sofia.bg/en/display.asp?ime=sofia|title=Sofia through centuries|publisher=Sofia Municipality|access-date=16 October 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819151030/https://www.sofia.bg/en/display.asp?ime=sofia|archive-date=19 August 2009}}</ref><br /><small>("Расте, но не старее")</small>
 | pushpin_map              = Bulgaria#Balkans#Europe
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Sofia
 | pushpin_relief           = 1
 | coordinates              = {{coord|42.70|23.33|type:city|display=inline}}
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_name         = Bulgaria
 | subdivision_type1        = [[Provinces of Bulgaria|Province]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[Sofia City Province|Sofia City]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[Municipalities of Bulgaria|Municipality]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Stolichna Municipality|Capital]]
 | established_title        = Cont. inhabited
 | established_date         = since 7000 BC<ref name="ghodsee">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/redrivieragender0000ghod|url-access=registration|title=The Red Riviera: Gender, Tourism, and Postsocialism on the Black Sea|last1=Ghodsee|first1=Kristen|date=2005|publisher=[[Duke University]] Press|isbn=0822387174|page=[https://archive.org/details/redrivieragender0000ghod/page/21 21]}}</ref>
 | established_title2       = Neolithic settlement
 | established_date2        = 5500–6000 BC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2015/12/07/archaeologist-discovers-8000-year-old-nephrite-frog-like-swastika-in-slatina-neolithic-settlement-in-bulgarias-capital-sofia/|title=Archaeologist Discovers 8,000-Year-Old Nephrite 'Frog-like' Swastika in Slatina Neolithic Settlement in Bulgaria's Capital Sofia – Archaeology in Bulgaria|first=Ivan Dikov · in|last=Prehistory|date=7 December 2015|work=archaeologyinbulgaria.com|access-date=20 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222083234/http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2015/12/07/archaeologist-discovers-8000-year-old-nephrite-frog-like-swastika-in-slatina-neolithic-settlement-in-bulgarias-capital-sofia/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | established_title3       = [[Thracians|Thracian]] settlement
 | established_date3        = 1400 BC<ref name="Marazov, Ivan 1998">Marazov, Ivan (ed.). Ancient Gold: The Wealth of the Thracians. NY: Harry N. Abrams Inc., 1998. Texts by Marazov, Ivan; Venedikov, Ivan; Fol, Alexander; Tacheva, Margarita. {{ISBN|9780810919921}}.</ref><ref>Popov, Dimitar (ed.). The Thracians, Iztok – Zapad, Sofia, 2011. {{ISBN|9789543218691}}.</ref>
 | established_title4       = Roman administration
 | established_date4        = 46 AD (as ''Serdica''){{Sfn|Sofia|2016|page=13}}
 | established_title5       = Conquered by [[Krum]]
 | established_date5        = 809 AD (as ''Sredets''){{Sfn|Sofia|2016|page=13}}
 | leader_party             = [[PP-DB]]-[[Spasi Sofia]]
 | leader_title             = [[List of mayors of Sofia|Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = [[Vasil Terziev]]
 | unit_pref                = Metric
 | area_urban_footnotes     = <ref name="URBANISED AREAS"/>
 | area_metro_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_d3area&lang=en |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 August 2020 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124181322/https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_d3area&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 500
 | area_urban_km2           = 5723
 | area_metro_km2           = 10,738
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nsi.bg/nrnm/show2.php?sid=57422&ezik=en&e=128142&e=9787 |title=Nsi • National Register of Populated Places • |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711041145/https://www.nsi.bg/nrnm/show2.php?sid=57422&ezik=en&e=128142&e=9787 | url-status               = live }}</ref>
 | elevation_m              = 500–699
 | elevation_ft             = 1640–2293
 | population_as_of         = 2024
 | population_total         = 1286965
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="population">{{cite web|title=Население по градове и пол {{!}} Национален статистически институт|url=http://www.nsi.bg/bg/content/2981/население-по-градове-и-пол|website=www.nsi.bg|language=bg|access-date=29 May 2021|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412205552/https://www.nsi.bg/bg/content/2981/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D0%BE-%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5-%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | population_urban         = 1547779
 | population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="Population on 1 January by age groups and sex - functional urban areas">{{cite web|title=Population on 1 January by age groups and sex - functional urban areas |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/urb_lpop1/default/table?lang=en}}</ref>
 | population_metro         = 1667314
 | population_metro_footnotes = <ref name="European Metropolitan regions" />
 | population_density_metro_km2 = auto
 | population_density_km2   = auto
 | population_density_urban_km2 = auto
 | population_demonym       = [[wikt:Sofian|Sofian]] ([[English language|en]]) <br /> Софиянец/''Sofiyanets'' ([[Bulgarian language|bg]])
 | blank_name_sec1          = [[GDP per capita]] 
(2021) 
 | blank_info_sec1          = 45241.00 BGN
<ref name="Regional profiles">{{Cite web|title=Sofia (capital) |url=https://www.regionalprofiles.bg/en/regions/sofia-grad/}}</ref><br />
 | blank1_name_sec1         = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2018)
 | blank1_info_sec1         = 0.945<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2018-09-13|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}}
 | timezone1                = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
 | utc_offset1              = +2
 | timezone1_DST            = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
 | utc_offset1_DST          = +3
 | postal_code              = 1000
 | area_code                = (+359) 02
 | blank3_name              = [[Vehicle registration plates of Bulgaria|Vehicle registration plate]]
 | blank3_info              = C, CA, CB
 | website                  = {{URL|sofia.bg}}
}}

'''Sofia''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|oʊ|f|i|ə|,_|ˈ|s|ɒ|f|-|,_|s|oʊ|ˈ|f|iː|ə}} {{respell|SOH|fee|ə|,_|SOF|-|}};<ref>{{citation|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|isbn=9781405881180}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Roach|first=Peter|year=2011|title=Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary|edition=18th|place=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521152532}}</ref> {{langx|bg|София|Sofiya}},<ref name="britannica.com">{{cite encyclopedia|<!-- last1=Editors of Britannica| -->title=Sofia|url=http://www.britannica.com/place/Sofia|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|access-date=12 February 2016|date=|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917174029/https://www.britannica.com/place/Sofia|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pf6cAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|publisher=Britannica Educational Publishing|isbn=9781615309870|date=1 June 2013|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=21 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221062712/https://books.google.com/books?id=Pf6cAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|url-status=live}}</ref> {{IPA|bg|ˈsɔfijɐ|IPA|Sofia.ogg}}) is the [[Capital city|capital]] and [[List of cities and towns in Bulgaria|largest city]] of [[Bulgaria]]. It is situated in the [[Sofia Valley]] at the foot of the [[Vitosha]] mountain, in the western part of the country. The city is built west of the [[Iskar (river)|Iskar]] river and has many mineral springs, such as the [[Sofia Central Mineral Baths]]. It has a [[humid continental climate]]. Being in the centre of the [[Balkans]], it is midway between the [[Black Sea]] and the [[Adriatic Sea]] and closest to the [[Aegean Sea]].<ref name=tr>{{cite book|last1=Lauwerys|first1=Joseph|title=Education in Cities|date=1970|publisher=Evan's Brothers|isbn=0-415-39291-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiNjOpwrTBMC&pg=PA315|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711023915/https://books.google.com/books?id=xiNjOpwrTBMC&pg=PA315|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Clifford|title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2010|page=301|volume=1|isbn=9780195334036|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mzwpq6bLHhMC&pg=RA2-PA301|access-date=27 June 2019|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717164313/https://books.google.com/books?id=mzwpq6bLHhMC&pg=RA2-PA301|url-status=live}}</ref>

Known as Serdica in [[Late antiquity|antiquity]] and Sredets in the [[Middle Ages]], Sofia has been an area of [[List of oldest continuously inhabited cities|human habitation]] since at least 7000 BC. The recorded history of the city begins with the attestation of the conquest of Serdica by the [[Roman Republic]] in 29 BC from the [[Celtic settlement of Southeast Europe|Celtic]] tribe [[Serdi]]. During the decline of the [[Roman Empire]], the city was raided by [[Huns]], [[Visigoths]], [[Pannonian Avars|Avars]], and [[Slavs]]. In 809, Serdica was incorporated into the [[First Bulgarian Empire|Bulgarian Empire]] by [[Khan (title)|Khan]] [[Krum]] and became known as Sredets. In 1018, the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] ended Bulgarian rule until 1194, when it was reincorporated by the [[Second Bulgarian Empire|reborn Bulgarian Empire]]. Sredets became a major administrative, economic, cultural and literary hub until its conquest by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] in 1382. From 1530 to 1836, Sofia was the regional capital of [[Rumelia Eyalet]], the Ottoman Empire's key province in Europe. Bulgarian rule was restored in 1878. Sofia was selected as the capital of the [[Principality of Bulgaria|Third Bulgarian State]] in the next year, ushering a period of intense demographic and economic growth.

Sofia is the [[List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits|14th-largest city in the European Union]]. It is surrounded by mountainsides, such as [[Vitosha]] by the southern side, [[Lyulin Mountain|Lyulin]] by the western side, and the [[Balkan Mountains]] by the north, which makes it the [[List of capital cities by elevation|third highest European capital]] after [[Andorra la Vella]] and [[Madrid]]. Being Bulgaria's primary city, Sofia is home of many of the major local universities, cultural institutions and commercial companies.<ref>[http://www.internethostelsofia.hostel.com/ Internet Hostel Sofia, Tourism in Sofia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228094553/http://www.internethostelsofia.hostel.com/ |date=28 December 2011 }}. Internethostelsofia.hostel.com, Retrieved Jan 2012</ref> The city has been described as the "triangle of religious tolerance". This is because three temples of three major world religions—[[Christianity]], [[Islam]] and [[Judaism]]—are situated close together: [[St Nedelya Church|Sveta Nedelya Church]], [[Banya Bashi Mosque]] and [[Sofia Synagogue]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.i-c-d.de/index.php?title=Triangle_of_Religious_Tolerance_(1903)|title=Triangle of Religious Tolerance (1903) – iCulturalDiplomacy|website=www.i-c-d.de|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127225057/http://i-c-d.de/index.php?title=Triangle_of_Religious_Tolerance_(1903)|url-status=live}}</ref> This triangle was recently expanded to a "square" and includes the Catholic [[Cathedral of St Joseph, Sofia|Cathedral of St Joseph]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/bulgaria/articles/10-things-we-can-all-learn-from-bulgarias-square-of-religious-tolerance|title=10 Things We Can all Learn from Bulgaria's Square of Religious Tolerance|date=15 February 2017|access-date=4 September 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929203612/https://theculturetrip.com/europe/bulgaria/articles/10-things-we-can-all-learn-from-bulgarias-square-of-religious-tolerance/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sofia has been named one of the top ten best places for [[Startup company|startup businesses]] in the world, especially in information technologies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bnt.bg/news/nauka-i-tehnologii/sofiya-sred-naj-dobrite-mesta-v-sveta-za-starta-p-biznes|title=Sofia is one of the top 10 places for start-up businesses in the world, Bulgarian National TV|website=Bnt.bg|access-date=11 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222101247/http://bnt.bg/news/nauka-i-tehnologii/sofiya-sred-naj-dobrite-mesta-v-sveta-za-starta-p-biznes|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> It was Europe's most affordable capital to visit in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Jayne|title=Is Europe's most affordable capital worth the trip?|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2013/08/29/sofia-bulgaria-cheap/2730089/|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|access-date=12 February 2016|archive-date=6 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406151001/http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2013/08/29/sofia-bulgaria-cheap/2730089/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Boyana Church]] in Sofia, constructed during the [[Second Bulgarian Empire]] and holding much patrimonial symbolism to the [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church]], was included onto the [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage List]] in 1979. With its cultural significance in [[Southeast Europe]], Sofia is home to the [[National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria]], the [[National Palace of Culture]], the [[Vasil Levski National Stadium]], the [[Ivan Vazov National Theatre]], the [[National Archaeological Museum, Bulgaria|National Archaeological Museum]], and the [[Amphitheatre of Serdica|Serdica Amphitheatre]]. The [[Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia|Museum of Socialist Art]] includes many sculptures and posters that educate visitors about the lifestyle in [[People's Republic of Bulgaria|communist Bulgaria]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalgallery.bg/visiting/museum-of-socialist-art/|title=Museum of Socialist Art – National Gallery|language=en-US|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=21 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221115804/http://nationalgallery.bg/visiting/museum-of-socialist-art/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The population of Sofia declined from 70,000 in the late 18th century, through 19,000 in 1870, to 11,649 in 1878, after which it began increasing.<ref name=isotriq>{{cite web |title=История |url=http://www.kmeta.bg/istoriya-2017-05-10 |website=www.kmeta.bg |date=10 May 2017 |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031214900/http://www.kmeta.bg/istoriya-2017-05-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sofia hosts some 1.28&nbsp;million<ref name="population"/> residents within a territory of 500&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>,<ref name="area total">{{cite web|url=http://www.nsi.bg/nrnm/index.php?ezik=bul&f=8&s=1&date=06.02.2018&e=1&s1=5&c1=1&a1=500000&c=0|title=NATIONAL STATISTICAL INSTITUTE – Information for the area of city of Sofia|website=Nsi.bg|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005344/http://www.nsi.bg/nrnm/index.php?ezik=bul&f=8&s=1&date=06.02.2018&e=1&s1=5&c1=1&a1=500000&c=0|url-status=live}}</ref> a concentration of 17.9% of the country population within the 200th percentile of the country territory. The urban area of Sofia hosts some 1.54&nbsp;million<ref name="Urban area populaton - Budapest">{{cite web|url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=urb_lpop1&lang=en|title=Eurostat-Sofia urban area population|access-date=24 June 2017|archive-date=3 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903213351/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=urb_lpop1&lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> residents within 5723&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, which comprises [[Sofia City Province]] and parts of [[Sofia Province]] ([[Dragoman Municipality|Dragoman]], [[:bg:Община Сливница|Slivnitsa]], [[:bg:Община Костинброд|Kostinbrod]], [[:bg:Община Божурище|Bozhurishte]], [[Svoge Municipality|Svoge]], [[:bg:Община Елин Пелин|Elin Pelin]], [[:bg:Община Горна Малина|Gorna Malina]], [[:bg:Община Ихтиман|Ihtiman]], [[Kostenets Municipality|Kostenets]]) and [[Pernik Province]] ([[:bg:Община Перник|Pernik]], [[:bg:Община Радомир|Radomir]]), representing 5.16% of the country territory.<ref name="URBANISED AREAS">{{cite journal |title=CITIES AND THEIR URBANISED AREAS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA |page=91 |url=http://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/publications/URBAN_ENG.pdf |journal=National Statistical Institute |access-date=15 July 2018 |archive-date=15 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715093754/http://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/publications/URBAN_ENG.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The metropolitan area of Sofia is based upon one hour of car travel time, stretches internationally and includes [[Dimitrovgrad, Serbia|Dimitrovgrad]] in Serbia.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Metropolitan areas in Europe |page=95 |url=http://www.espon-usespon.eu/dane/web_usespon_library_files/1200/de_metroareaeu_2011.pdf |issn=1868-0097 |journal= Der Markt für Wohn- und Wirtschaftsimmobilien in Deutschland Ergebnisse des BBSR-Expertenpanel Immobilienmarkt Nr|access-date=15 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715094519/http://www.espon-usespon.eu/dane/web_usespon_library_files/1200/de_metroareaeu_2011.pdf |archive-date=15 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The metropolitan region of Sofia is inhabited by a population of 1.66&nbsp;million.<ref name="European Metropolitan regions">{{cite web |url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en |website=appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu |title=Eurostat – Data Explorer |access-date=21 December 2016 |archive-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055500/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Names==
[[File:Sredets seal 1878.jpg|thumb|left|The first seal of the city, from 1878, which calls it ''Sredets,'' its name in [[Old Church Slavonic|Old Bulgarian]]]]
For a long time, the city possessed<ref name=constantine>{{cite book|last1=Grant|first1=Michael|title=The Emperor Constantine|date=211|publisher=[[Hachette (publisher)|Hachette]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=75ChbKPElCwC&pg=PT80|isbn=9781780222806|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=18 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818184723/https://books.google.com/books?id=75ChbKPElCwC&pg=PT80|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[Thracian language|Thracian]] name, '''Serdica''' ({{langx|grc|Σερδικη}}, ''Serdikē'', or {{lang|grc|Σαρδικη}}, ''Sardikē''; {{langx|la|Serdica}} or {{lang|la|Sardica}}), derived from the tribe {{lang|la|[[Serdi]]}}, who were either of [[Thracians|Thracian]],<ref name="britannica.com"/><ref name=tr/> [[Celts|Celtic]],<ref name="The Cambridge Ancient History 1992, page 600">"The Cambridge Ancient History", Volume 3, Part 2: ''The Assyrian and Babylonian Empires and Other States of the Near East, from the Eighth to the Sixth Centuries BC'' by John Boardman, I. E. S. Edwards, E. Sollberger, and N. G. L. Hammond, {{ISBN|0-521-22717-8}}, 1992, p. 600: "In the place of the vanished Treres and Tilataei we find the Serdi for whom there is no evidence before the first century BC. It has for long been supposed on convincing linguistic and archeological grounds that this tribe was of Celtic origin"</ref> or mixed Thracian-Celtic origin.<ref>Mihailov, G., Thracians, Sofia, 1972, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, quote in Bulgarian: Името серди е засвидетелствано след келтската инвазия на Балканите. Сердите са от смесен трако-келтски произход.</ref><ref>Popov, D. Thracians, Sofia, p.h. Iztok – Zapad, 2005.</ref> The emperor [[Trajan|Marcus Ulpius Traianus]] (53–117 AD) gave the city the combinative name of ''[[Ulpia gens|Ulpia]] Serdica'';<ref name=world>{{cite book|title=World and Its Peoples|date=2010|publisher=Marshall Cavendish |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b5vHRWp8yqEC&pg=PA1497|isbn=9780761479024|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=18 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818225324/https://books.google.com/books?id=b5vHRWp8yqEC&pg=PA1497|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="books.google.bg">{{cite book|last1=Irina Florov, Nicholas Florov|title=Three-thousand-year-old Hat|date=2001|publisher=Golden Vine Publishers|location=[[University of Michigan|Michigan University]]|isbn=0968848702|page=303|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6kZoAAAAMAAJ|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928141824/https://books.google.com/books?id=6kZoAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> Ulpia may be derived from an Umbrian cognate of the [[Latin]] word ''lupus'', meaning "wolf"<ref>Julian Bennett, ''Trajan: Optimus Princeps'' (Routledge, 1997), p. 1.</ref> or from the Latin ''vulpes'' (fox). It seems that the first written mention of ''Serdica'' was made during his reign and the last mention was in the 19th century in a Bulgarian text ({{lang|bg|Сардакіи}}, ''Sardaki''). Other names given to Sofia, such as '''Serdonpolis''' ([[Byzantine Greek language|Byzantine]] {{lang-grc-gre|Σερδών πόλις}}, "City of the Serdi") and '''Triaditza''' ({{lang|grc|Τριάδιτζα}}, "Trinity"), were mentioned by [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] [[Greek language|Greek]] sources or coins. The Slavic name '''Sredets''' ({{langx|cu|Срѣдецъ}}), which is related to "middle" ({{lang|cu|среда}}, "sreda") and to the city's earliest name, first appeared on paper in an 11th-century text. The city was called ''Atralisa'' by the Arab traveller [[Muhammad al-Idrisi|Idrisi]] and ''Strelisa'', ''Stralitsa'', or ''Stralitsion'' by the [[Crusaders]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Erwin Anton Gutkind|title=International history of city development|year=1964|publisher=Free Press of Glencoe|location=[[University of Michigan|Michigan University]]|edition=8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YNsPAQAAMAAJ|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820032648/https://books.google.com/books?id=YNsPAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>

The name ''Sofia'' comes from the [[Saint Sofia Church, Sofia|Saint Sofia Church]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.milarodino.com/bg/13_centuries/city/sofia_city/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219041530/http://www.milarodino.com/bg/13_centuries/city/sofia_city/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 December 2007 |title=София |publisher=Мила Родино |language=bg |access-date=14 September 2008 }}</ref> as opposed to the prevailing [[Slavic languages|Slavic]] [[List of Bulgaria province name etymologies|origin of Bulgarian cities and towns]]. The origin is in the Greek word ''[[Sophia (wisdom)|sophía]]'' ({{lang|grc|σοφία}}, "wisdom"). The earliest works where this latest name is registered are the duplicate of the Gospel of Serdica, in a dialogue between two salesmen from [[Dubrovnik]] around 1359, in the 14th-century Vitosha Charter of Bulgarian tsar [[Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria|Ivan Shishman]] and in a [[Republic of Ragusa|Ragusan]] merchant's notes of 1376.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia Americana|date=1999|publisher=Grolier Incorporated|location=[[Pennsylvania State University]]|isbn=0717201317|page=878|edition=25|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qBhZAAAAYAAJ|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=21 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221234204/https://books.google.com/books?id=QbhZAAAAYAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> In these documents, the city is called ''Sofia'',{{clarify|date=March 2024}}<!--Church Slavonic or Middle Bulgarian? script?--> but, at the same time, the region and the city's inhabitants are still called ''Sredecheski'' ({{langx|cu|срѣдечьскои}}, "of Sredets"), which continued until the 20th century. The [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] came to favour the name '''Sofya''' ({{lang|ota|{{linktext|صوفيه}}}}). In 1879, there was a dispute about what the name of the new Bulgarian capital should be, when the citizens created a committee of famous people, insisting for the Slavic name. Gradually, a compromise arose, officialisation of ''Sofia'' for the nationwide institutions, while legitimating the title ''Sredets'' for the administrative and church institutions, before the latter was abandoned through the years.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://sredec-sofia.org/bg/page/38/istoriya|publisher=Capital Municipality|access-date=20 October 2015|archive-date=26 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226235940/http://sredec-sofia.org/bg/page/38/istoriya|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geography==

[[Sofia City Province]] has an area of 1344&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>,<ref>{{cite web |title=District Sofia-city |url=http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SW/Sofia-city |work=Guide Bulgaria |access-date=19 February 2012 |archive-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229133822/http://guide-bulgaria.com/SW/Sofia-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while the surrounding and much bigger [[Sofia Province]] is 7,059&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. 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 the [[Balkan mountains]] to the north. The valley has an average altitude of {{convert|550|m}}. Sofia is the second highest capital of the [[European Union]] (after [[Madrid]]) and the third highest capital of Europe (after [[Andorra la Vella]] and Madrid). Unlike most European capitals, Sofia does not straddle any large river, but is surrounded by comparatively high mountains on all sides. Three [[mountain pass]]es lead to the city, which have been key roads since antiquity, Vitosha being the watershed between [[Black Sea|Black]] and [[Aegean Sea]]s.

A number of shallow rivers cross the city, including the [[Boyanska reka|Boyanska]], [[Vladaya River|Vladayska]] and [[Perlovska]]. The [[Iskar (river)|Iskar River]] in its upper course flows near eastern Sofia. It takes its source in [[Rila]], Bulgaria's highest mountain,<ref name="Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 537">{{harvnb|Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria|1980|p=537}}</ref> and enters Sofia Valley near the village of [[German, Bulgaria|German]]. The Iskar flows north toward the Balkan Mountains, passing between the eastern city suburbs, next to the main building and below the runways of [[Sofia Airport]], and flows out of the Sofia Valley at the town of [[Novi Iskar]], where the scenic [[Iskar Gorge]] begins.<ref name="Iskar 1">{{cite web|url=http://old.bluelink.net/water/dunav/iskar/obshtihidrldanni.htm|title=General Hydrological Data|publisher=Iskar River System|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207013903/http://old.bluelink.net/water/dunav/iskar/obshtihidrldanni.htm|archive-date=7 December 2017|access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref>

The city is known for its 49 [[Spring (hydrosphere)|mineral]] and [[Hot spring|thermal]] springs. Artificial and dam lakes were built in the twentieth century.

{{multiple image
| align             = center
| direction         = horizontal
| caption_align     = center
| image1            = Sofia Valley 1.png
| width1            = 250
| caption1          = 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.
| image2            = Sofiafromsimeonovo.JPG
| width2            = 695
| caption2          = A view of the valley from the south. The Balkan Mountains and the beginning of the Iskar Gorge are visible in the distance.
| image3            = Sofia,_Bulgaria_ESA24383202.jpeg
| caption3          = [[Satellite imagery|Satellite photo]] of Sofia
| perrow            = 2
| image4            = Sofia-vitosha-kempinski.jpg
| caption4          = Winter panorama of Sofia with [[Vitosha]] in the background
}}

While the 1818 and 1858 earthquakes were intense and destructive, the [[2012 Pernik earthquake]] occurred west of Sofia with a [[moment magnitude scale|moment magnitude]] of 5.6 and a much lower Mercalli intensity of VI (''Strong''). The [[2014 Aegean Sea earthquake]] was also noticed in the city.

===Climate===
Sofia has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb''; ''Cfb'' if with −3&nbsp;°C [[Isotherm (contour line)|isotherm]]) with an average annual temperature of {{convert|10.9|°C|1|abbr=on}}.

Winters are relatively cold and snowy. In the coldest days temperatures can drop below {{convert|-15|°C|0}}, most notably in January. The lowest recorded temperature is {{convert|-31.2|°C|0}} (16 January 1893).<ref>[https://noviiskar.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8F%D0%BC%D0%B0-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%82/ Софийска голяма община – климат] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807082818/https://noviiskar.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8F%D0%BC%D0%B0-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%82/ |date=7 August 2020 }}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rzoLAAAAIAAJ&q=31.2+++1893+ |title=Атанас Иширков, България. Географически бележки, Придворна печатница, 1910 година, стр. 78. |access-date=3 September 2019 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807083050/https://books.google.bg/books?hl=bg&id=rzoLAAAAIAAJ&dq=31.2++16+%D1%8F%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8+1893+%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%8F&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=31.2+++1893+ |url-status=live |last1=Ishirkov |first1=Anastas |year=1910 }}</ref> On average, Sofia receives a total snowfall of {{convert|98|cm|1|abbr=on}} and 56 days with snow cover.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/bg_tuti.php?year=1991&month=01&day=01&station=156140&mode=m&submit1=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel|title=Архив-Бг3 » 01-1991 София|first=Иван|last=Николов|work=stringmeteo.com|access-date=1 January 2021|archive-date=29 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529145520/https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/bg_tuti.php?year=1991&month=01&day=01&station=156140&mode=m&submit1=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel|url-status=live}}</ref> The snowiest recorded winter was 1939/1940 with a total snowfall of {{convert|169|cm|1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/sf_3747/1939-11.pdf |title=Статистически Данни |website=stringmeteo.com |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> The record snow depth is {{convert|57|cm|1|abbr=on}} (25 December 2001).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/bg_stday.php?year=2001&month=12&day=25&city=15614&int=1&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98|title=Времето София » 25.12.2001|first=Иван|last=Николов|work=stringmeteo.com|access-date=28 January 2015|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403113829/http://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/bg_stday.php?year=2001&month=12&day=25&city=15614&int=1&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98|url-status=live}}</ref> The coldest recorded year was 1893 with an average January temperature of {{convert|-10.4|°C|0}} and an annual temperature of {{convert|8.2|C|F}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Вековен архив - София » 01.1887 - 12.2007|url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/sf_cent.php?year1=1887&month1=1&year2=2007&month2=12&nor=on&t_in=on&p_in=on&st=sf&submit=%25CF%25CE%25CA%25C0%25C6%25C8|access-date=2021-05-17|website=www.stringmeteo.com|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517201047/https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/sf_cent.php?year1=1887&month1=1&year2=2007&month2=12&nor=on&t_in=on&p_in=on&st=sf&submit=%25CF%25CE%25CA%25C0%25C6%25C8|url-status=live}}</ref>

Summers are quite warm and sunny. In summer, the city generally remains slightly cooler than other parts of Bulgaria, due to its higher altitude. However, the city is also subject to heat waves with high temperatures reaching or exceeding {{convert|35|°C|0}} on the hottest days, particularly in July and August. The highest recorded temperature is {{convert|40.2|°C|0}} (5 July 2000).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://novini247.com/novini/prez-2000-godina-na-5-yuli-e-bil-edin-ot_6535868.html | title=През 2000 година на 5 юли е бил един от | date=4 July 2023 }}</ref> The hottest recorded month was July 2012 with an average temperature of {{convert|24.8|°C|0}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/temp_month.php?month=7&year=2012 | title=Времето-България » Мес. обобщ. температури }}</ref> The warmest year on record was 2023 with an annual temperature of {{convert|12.1|°C|0}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/temp_year.php?year=2023&month=1&len=12&an_per=9120&ord=num&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel | title=Архив-Бг » Год. обобщ. температури }}</ref>

Springs and autumns in Sofia are usually short with variable and dynamic weather.

The city receives an average precipitation of {{convert|625.7|mm|2|abbr=on}} a year, reaching its peak in late spring and early summer when [[thunderstorms]] are common. The driest recorded year was 2000 with a total precipitation of {{convert|304.6|mm|2|abbr=on}}, while the wettest year on record was 2014 with a total precipitation of {{convert|1066.6|mm|2|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/semi_cent2.php?year=2000&month=12&stat=2064&sty=2000&endy=2000&prm_in=on&mode=stat&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel |title=Век. месечен архив Бг |access-date=18 January 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807085034/https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/semi_cent2.php?year=2000&month=12&stat=2064&sty=2000&endy=2000&prm_in=on&mode=stat&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/prec_year.php?year=2014&month=1&len=12&ord=num&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel |title=Архив-Бг » Год. обобщ. валежи |access-date=18 January 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807084615/https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/prec_year.php?year=2014&month=1&len=12&ord=num&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location     = Sofia (NIMH−[[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences|BAS]]) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
| metric first = Y
| single line  = Y
| Jan record high C = 18
| Feb record high C = 22.2
| Mar record high C = 31
| Apr record high C = 30.6
| May record high C = 34.1
| Jun record high C = 37.2
| Jul record high C = 40.2
| Aug record high C = 39
| Sep record high C = 37.1
| Oct record high C = 33.6
| Nov record high C = 25.8
| Dec record high C = 21.3
| year record high C = 40.2
| Jan high C = 3.5
| Feb high C = 6.5
| Mar high C = 11.4
| Apr high C = 16.7
| May high C = 21.4
| Jun high C = 25.2
| Jul high C = 27.8
| Aug high C = 28.3
| Sep high C = 23.3
| Oct high C = 17.6
| Nov high C = 10.7
| Dec high C = 4.6
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = −0.5
| Feb mean C = 1.6
| Mar mean C = 5.8
| Apr mean C = 10.9
| May mean C = 15.5
| Jun mean C = 19.4
| Jul mean C = 21.6
| Aug mean C = 21.5
| Sep mean C = 16.8
| Oct mean C = 11.4
| Nov mean C = 5.9
| Dec mean C = 0.8
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = -3.9
| Feb low C = -2.4
| Mar low C = 1.1
| Apr low C = 5.3
| May low C = 9.8
| Jun low C = 13.4
| Jul low C = 15.3
| Aug low C = 15
| Sep low C = 10.9
| Oct low C = 6.3
| Nov low C = 1.9
| Dec low C = -2.4
| year low C = 
| Jan record low C = -31.2
| Feb record low C = -24.1
| Mar record low C = -18
| Apr record low C = -5.9
| May record low C = -2.2
| Jun record low C = 2.5
| Jul record low C = 5.3
| Aug record low C = 3.5
| Sep record low C = -2
| Oct record low C = -5.6
| Nov record low C = -15.3
| Dec record low C = -21.1
| year record low C = -31.2
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 35.9
| Feb precipitation mm = 35.5
| Mar precipitation mm = 45.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 52.3
| May precipitation mm = 73.1
| Jun precipitation mm = 81.6
| Jul precipitation mm = 64.7
| Aug precipitation mm = 53.1
| Sep precipitation mm = 52.3
| Oct precipitation mm = 53.9
| Nov precipitation mm = 38.1
| Dec precipitation mm = 39.9
| year precipitation mm = 
| Jan snow cm = 24.9
| Feb snow cm = 21
| Mar snow cm = 15.4
| Apr snow cm = 3
| May snow cm = 0
| Jun snow cm = 0
| Jul snow cm = 0
| Aug snow cm = 0
| Sep snow cm = 0
| Oct snow cm = 1.5
| Nov snow cm = 10.7
| Dec snow cm = 21
| year snow cm = 
| Jan precipitation days = 10.7
| Feb precipitation days = 9.4
| Mar precipitation days = 10.9
| Apr precipitation days = 10.7
| May precipitation days = 13.9
| Jun precipitation days = 12
| Jul precipitation days = 8.1
| Aug precipitation days = 7.1
| Sep precipitation days = 8.2
| Oct precipitation days = 8.4
| Nov precipitation days = 8.1
| Dec precipitation days = 10.7
| year precipitation days = 
| Jan snow days = 7.5
| Feb snow days = 6.5
| Mar snow days = 5.2
| Apr snow days = 1.3
| May snow days = 0
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0
| Oct snow days = 0.7
| Nov snow days = 2.7
| Dec snow days = 6.4
| year snow days = 
| Jan sun = 87.9
| Feb sun = 117.2
| Mar sun = 169
| Apr sun = 195.1
| May sun = 236
| Jun sun = 268.1
| Jul sun = 311.9
| Aug sun = 307.3
| Sep sun = 225.1
| Oct sun = 166.8
| Nov sun = 107.7
| Dec sun = 69.1
| year sun = 
| Jan uv  =1
| Feb uv  =2
| Mar uv  =4
| Apr uv  =5
| May uv  =7
| Jun uv  =9
| Jul uv  =9
| Aug uv  =8
| Sep uv  =6
| Oct uv  =4
| Nov uv  =2
| Dec uv  =1
| source = [[NOAA]]/[[WMO]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Bulgaria/CSV/ | title=Index of /Archive/Arc0216/0253808/2.2/Data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Bulgaria/CSV }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/BU/15614.TXT |title=Station Name: Sofia |publisher=United States [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/semi_cent.php?year=2020&month=12&stat=15614&an_per=no_an&sty=1991&endy=2020&t_in=on&mode=stat&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel | title=Век. месечен архив Бг |work=Stringmeteo.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/semi_cent2.php?year=2010&month=12&stat=2064&sty=1991&endy=2010&prm_in=on&ssh_in=on&mode=stat&submit=%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%96%D0%98#sel | title=Век. месечен архив Бг |work=Stringmeteo.com}}</ref><ref>https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stringmeteo.com%2Fsynop%2Fclimate_bg%2FAbsolute_Maximum_Temperatures.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK {{Bare URL inline|date=February 2024}}</ref><ref>https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stringmeteo.com%2Fsynop%2Fclimate_bg%2FAbsolute_Minimum_Temperatures.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK {{Bare URL inline|date=February 2024}}</ref><ref>https://web.uni-plovdiv.net/vedrin/sg/sg-bg-1947-1948.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stringmeteo.com/synop/bg_stday.php?year=2021&month=11&day=05&city=15614&int=1&submit=%CF%CE%CA%C0%C6%C8 | title=Времето София » 05.11.2021 }}</ref> Climatebase.ru<ref>{{cite web | url=http://climatebase.ru/station/15614/from2000?lang=en | title=Browser Check Page }}</ref>  and Weather Atlas<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/bulgaria/sofia-climate |title=Sofia, Bulgaria - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast |access-date=3 September 2019 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309081520/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/bulgaria/sofia-climate |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

=== Environment ===
The geographic position of the Sofia Valley limits the flow of air masses, increasing the chances of air pollution by particulate matter and [[nitrogen oxide]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediapool.bg/druzhba-nadezhda-i-pavlovo-sa-s-nai-mrasen-vazduh-v-sofiya-news190733.html|title="Дружба", "Надежда" и "Павлово" са с най-мръсен въздух в София – Mediapool.bg|work=mediapool.bg|date=16 March 2012 |access-date=13 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121659/http://www.mediapool.bg/druzhba-nadezhda-i-pavlovo-sa-s-nai-mrasen-vazduh-v-sofiya-news190733.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Solid fuel used for heating and motor vehicle traffic are significant sources of pollutants. Smog thus persists over the city as [[Inversion (meteorology)|temperature inversions]] and the mountains surrounding the city prevent the circulation of air masses.<ref name="SG1"/><ref name="AFP"/> As a result, air pollution levels in Sofia are some of the highest in Europe.<ref name="NYT1">{{cite news|first=Danny|last=Hakim|title=Bulgaria's Air Is Dirtiest in Europe, Study Finds, Followed by Poland|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/business/international/bulgarias-air-is-dirtiest-in-europe-study-finds-followed-by-poland.html?hp&_r=0|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=15 October 2013|access-date=15 October 2013|archive-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723155416/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/business/international/bulgarias-air-is-dirtiest-in-europe-study-finds-followed-by-poland.html?hp&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Particulate matter]] concentrations are consistently above the norm.<ref name="AFP">{{cite AV media |date=20 December 2015 |title=Environment: Sofia, most polluted capital of Europe |medium=News report |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCQPxk8uBSM | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/HCQPxk8uBSM| archive-date=2021-10-30|access-date=26 October 2018|publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During the October 2017 – March 2018 heating season, particulate levels exceeded the norm on 70 occasions;<ref name="SG1">{{cite web|url=https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/04/04/air-pollution-in-sofia-other-bulgarian-cities-hugely-exceeded-norms-several-times-this-winter/|title=Air pollution in Sofia, other Bulgarian cities hugely exceeded norms several times this winter|publisher=The Sofia Globe|date=4 April 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026222412/https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/04/04/air-pollution-in-sofia-other-bulgarian-cities-hugely-exceeded-norms-several-times-this-winter/|url-status=live}}</ref> on 7 January 2018, PM10 levels reached 632&nbsp;μg/m<sup>3</sup>,<ref name="SG2">{{cite web|url=https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/01/06/bulgaria-bad-air-quality-in-sofia-on-saturday/|title=Bulgaria: Bad air quality in Sofia on January 6 2018|publisher=The Sofia Globe|date=6 January 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026222458/https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/01/06/bulgaria-bad-air-quality-in-sofia-on-saturday/|archive-date=26 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> some twelve times the EU norm of 50&nbsp;μg/m<sup>3</sup>.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/standards.htm|title=Air Quality Standards|publisher=[[European Commission]]|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022181400/http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/standards.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Even areas with few sources of air pollution, like [[Gorna Banya]], had PM2.5 and PM10 levels above safe thresholds.<ref name="SG2"/> In response to hazardous spikes in air pollution, the Municipal Council implemented a variety of measures in January 2018, like more frequent washing of streets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bnt.bg/en/a/sofia-municipal-council-adopted-measures-to-tackle-air-pollution|title=Sofia Municipal Council Adopted Measures to Tackle Air Pollution|publisher=[[Bulgarian National Television]]|date=25 January 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061521/https://www.bnt.bg/en/a/sofia-municipal-council-adopted-measures-to-tackle-air-pollution|url-status=live}}</ref> However, a report by the [[European Court of Auditors]] issued in September 2018 revealed that Sofia has not drafted any projects to reduce air pollution from heating. The report also noted that no industrial pollution monitoring stations operate in Sofia, even though industrial facilities are active in the city. A monitoring station on Eagles' Bridge, where some of the highest particulate matter values were measured, was moved away from the location and has measured sharply lower values since then.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.standartnews.com/english/read/brussels_sofia_has_no_projects_targeting_air_pollution-13174.html|title=Brussels: Sofia has no projects targeting air pollutionКопирано от fidget.bg|newspaper=Standard|date=12 September 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061542/http://www.standartnews.com/english/read/brussels_sofia_has_no_projects_targeting_air_pollution-13174.html|archive-date=27 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Particulates are now largely measured by a network of 300 sensors maintained by volunteers since 2017.<ref name="SG1"/> The [[European Commission]] has taken Bulgaria to court over its failure to curb air pollution.<ref name="AFP"/>

==History==
{{Main|History of Sofia}}
{{For timeline}}
[[File:Bronze coin of Serdi Celts.jpg|thumb|right|
'''[[Obverse and reverse|O]]''': head of [[river-god]] [[Strymon (mythology)|Strymon]]; '''[[Obverse and reverse|R]]''': [[trident]].<br />
This coin imitates [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonian]] issue from 187 to 168 BC. It was struck by [[Serdi]] tribe as their own currency.]]
[[File:Festung Serdica Sofia 20090405 006.JPG|thumb|The eastern gate of Serdica in the "Complex Ancient Serdica"]]

===Prehistory and antiquity===

The area has a history of nearly 7,000 years,<ref name=plants>{{cite book|last1=John G. Kelcey|last2=Norbert Müller|title=Plants and Habitats of European Cities|publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]]|location=Czech Republic; Germany – University of Applied Sciences Erfurt|isbn=978-0-387-89684-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lUA-LzswzNsC&pg=PA455|date=7 June 2011|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819142929/https://books.google.com/books?id=lUA-LzswzNsC&pg=PA455|url-status=live}}</ref> with the great attraction of the hot water springs that still flow abundantly in the centre of the city. The neolithic village in [[Slatina, Sofia|Slatina]] dating to the 5th–6th millennium BC is documented.<ref>Boev, Zlatozar. (2009). Avian Remains from an Early Neolithic Settlement of Slatina (Present Sofia City, Bulgaria). Acta Zoologica Bulgarica. 61. 151–156.</ref> Another neolithic settlement was founded in the 3rd–4th millennium BC near the site of the modern [[National Art Gallery (Bulgaria)|National Art Gallery]], which has been the traditional centre of the city ever since.<ref name="sofiaculture.bg">{{cite web|url=http://sofiaculture.bg/130/index.php?load=istoria|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905032923/http://sofiaculture.bg/130/index.php?load=istoria|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 September 2017|title=София – 130 години столица на България|work=sofiaculture.bg}}</ref>

The earliest tribes who settled were the [[Thracians|Thracian]] [[Tilataei]]. 
In the 500s BC, the area became part of a Thracian state union, the [[Odrysian kingdom]] from another Thracian tribe the [[Odrysses]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=BulWTours|date=2015-07-20|title=Odrysian Kingdom - the first country on the Balkans|url=https://bulgariawinetours.com/odrysian-kingdom-part-1/|access-date=2021-09-08|website=Bulgaria Wine Tours|language=en-US|archive-date=9 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209033300/https://bulgariawinetours.com/odrysian-kingdom-part-1/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 339 BC [[Philip II of Macedon]] destroyed and ravaged the town for the first time.<ref name=Routledge>{{cite book|last1=Trudy|first1=Ring|last2=Noelle|first2=Watson|last3=Paul|first3=Schellinger|title=Southern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qcr9AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA661|publisher=Routledge|access-date=20 December 2015|date=5 November 2013|isbn=9781134259588|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819201317/https://books.google.com/books?id=Qcr9AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA661|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Celts|Celtic]] tribe [[Serdi]] gave their name to the city.<ref>''The Cambridge Ancient History'', Volume 3, Part 2:, {{ISBN|0-521-22717-8}}, 1992, page 600</ref> The earliest mention of the city comes from an [[Athens|Athenian]] inscription from the 1st century BC, attesting ''Astiu ton Serdon'', i.e. city of the Serdi.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kultura.bg/web/%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B3%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0/ |title=Емил Коцев 24.04.2016 9:331205 ИЗГУБЕНАТА СТОЛИЦА  |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-date=4 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204164315/http://kultura.bg/web/%d0%b8%d0%b7%d0%b3%d1%83%d0%b1%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b0-%d1%81%d1%82%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%86%d0%b0/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the inscription and to the writings of [[Dio Cassius]], the Roman general [[Crassus]] subdued the Serdi and behanded the captives.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/e/roman/texts/cassius_dio/51*.html |title=Dio, Roman History, Book 51, chapter 25 |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2014 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141028175826/http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/51%2A.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dio Cassius, [[Pliny the Elder]] and [[Ptolemy]] say that in 27–29 BC Crassus attacked the region "Segetike", which is assumed to be Serdica, or the city of the Serdi.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2xoMAQAAMAAJ |title=Trakii︠a︡ – Том 12 – Страница 41- "Da diese mit ihrem blinden König Siras verbündete der Römer waren ergab dies den Vorwand für den Kriegszug von Crassus. Über die Segetike (wohl irrtümlich für Serdike, Land der Serden, wie es aus Dio Cass. LI, 25, 4 erhellt)" |year=1998 |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012214517/https://books.google.bg/books?hl=bg&id=2xoMAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7aZTAAAAIAAJ |title=Acta Antiqua Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. Akademai Klado, 1966. "Als sie die Dentheleten angriffen, kam Crassus diesen zur. Hilfe, eroberte das Land der Serden (bei Dio Segetika) und kam plündernd ins." |year=1966 |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012214509/https://books.google.bg/books?hl=bg&id=7aZTAAAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=FWhoAAAAMAAJ Jenő Fitz. Limes. Akadémiai Kiadó, 1977 "As Macedonia itself was in danger, Crassus readily advanced as far as Segetika (-Serdica)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012214458/https://books.google.bg/books?id=FWhoAAAAMAAJ |date=12 October 2018 }}, {{ISBN|9789630513012}}</ref> The ancient city is located between [[TZUM (Sofia)|TZUM]], [[Sheraton Hotel]] and the Presidency.<ref name="sofiaculture.bg"/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Ivanov|first1=Rumen|title=Roman cities in Bulgaria|date=2006|publisher=Bulgarian Bestseller--National Museum of Bulgarian Books and Polygraphy |isbn=9789544630171|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xCQXAQAAIAAJ|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820020321/https://books.google.com/books?id=xCQXAQAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> It gradually became the most important Roman city of the region.<ref name=world/><ref name="books.google.bg"/> It became a ''municipium'' during the reign of Emperor [[Trajan]] (98–117). Serdica expanded, as [[Turret (architecture)|turret]]s, protective walls, [[public bathing|public baths]], administrative and cult buildings, a civic [[basilica]], an [[amphitheatre]], a circus, the [[City council]] (Boulé), a large forum, a big circus (theatre), etc. were built. Serdica was a significant city on the Roman road [[Via Militaris]], connecting [[Singidunum]] and [[Byzantium]]. In the 3rd century, it became the capital of [[Dacia Aureliana]],<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last = Bowman|editor1-first = Alan K.|editor2-last = Garnsey|editor2-first = Peter|editor3-last = Cameron|editor3-first = Averil|last = Wilkes|first = John|chapter = Provinces and Frontiers|page = 253|title = The Cambridge ancient history: The crisis of empire, A.D. 193–337|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MNSyT_PuYVMC|publisher = Cambridge University Press|volume = 12|year = 2005|isbn = 978-0-521-30199-2|access-date = 29 October 2015|archive-date = 10 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151110193202/https://books.google.com/books?id=MNSyT_PuYVMC|url-status = live}}</ref> and when Emperor [[Diocletian]] divided the province of Dacia Aureliana into Dacia Ripensis (at the banks of the [[Danube]]) and [[Dacia (Roman province)|Dacia Mediterranea]], Serdica became the capital of the latter. Serdica's citizens of [[Thracians|Thracian]] descent were referred to as [[Illyrians]]<ref name=Routledge/> probably because it was at some time the capital of [[Eastern Illyria]] ([[Second Illyria]]).<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia Londinensis, or, Universal dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature|date=1827|location=University of Minnesota|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nVwMAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA672|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819154709/https://books.google.com/books?id=nVwMAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA672|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:20140618 Sofia 09.jpg|thumb|Dated from the early 4th century, the [[Church of Saint George, Sofia|Church of Saint George]] is the oldest standing edifice in Sofia.]]

Roman emperors [[Aurelian]] (215–275)<ref>{{cite book|last=Saunders|first=Randall Titus|title=A biography of the Emperor Aurelian (AD 270–275)|pages=106–7|publisher=Ann Arbor, Michigan: UMI Dissertation Services|year=1992}}</ref> and [[Galerius]] (260–311)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/eutropius/eutropius9.shtml#22|title=Eutropius: Book IX|work=thelatinlibrary.com|access-date=16 February 2012|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910113513/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/eutropius/eutropius9.shtml#22|url-status=live}}</ref> were born in Serdica.

The city expanded and became a significant political and economical centre, more so as it became one of the first Roman cities where Christianity was recognised as an [[State religion|official religion]] (under [[Galerius]]). The [[Edict of Toleration by Galerius]] was issued in 311 in Serdica by the Roman emperor Galerius, officially ending the Diocletianic persecution of Christianity. The Edict implicitly granted Christianity the status of "[[religio licita]]", a worship recognised and accepted by the Roman Empire. It was the first edict legalising Christianity, preceding the [[Edict of Milan]] by two years.

Serdica was the capital of the [[Diocese of Dacia]] (337–602).

For [[Constantine the Great]] it was 'Sardica mea Roma est' (Serdica is my Rome). He considered making Serdica the capital of the [[Byzantine Empire]] instead of Constantinople.<ref>Nikolova, Kapka [https://books.google.com/books?id=yI2gAAAAMAAJ Sofia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820030442/https://books.google.com/books?id=yI2gAAAAMAAJ |date=20 August 2020 }} University of Indiana. "''Emperor Constantine the Great even considered the possibility for Serdika to become the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire''"</ref> which was already not dissimilar to a [[Tetrarchy|tetrarchic]] capital of the Roman Empire.<ref>{{cite book|last=Green|first=Bernard|title=Christianity in Ancient Rome: The First Three Centuries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LojX4E6o1EgC&pg=PA237|year=2010|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-0-567-03250-8|page=237|access-date=12 September 2017|archive-date=19 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819142448/https://books.google.com/books?id=LojX4E6o1EgC&pg=PA237|url-status=live}}</ref> In 343 AD, the [[Council of Sardica]] was held in the city, in a church located where the current 6th century [[Hagia Sophia Church (Sofia)|Church of Saint Sophia]] was later built.

The city was destroyed in the [[Theodosius II#Wars with the Huns, Vandals, and Persians|447 invasion]] of the [[Huns]] and laid in ruins for a century<ref name=Routledge/> It was rebuilt by [[List of Byzantine emperors|Byzantine Emperor]] [[Justinian I]]. During the reign of Justinian it flourished, being surrounded with great fortress walls whose remnants can still be seen today.

=== Middle Ages ===
[[File:Kalojan desislava.jpg|left|thumb|The 13th century lord of Sredets [[Kaloyan and Desislava|Kaloyan]] and his wife Desislava, [[Boyana Church]]]]
Serdica became part of the [[First Bulgarian Empire]] during the reign of Khan [[Krum]] in 809, after a long [[Siege of Serdica (809)|siege]]. The fall of the strategic city prompted a major and ultimately disastrous invasion of Bulgaria by the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] emperor [[Nikephoros I]], which led to his demise at the hands of the [[Medieval Bulgarian army|Bulgarian army]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bozhilov|Gyuzelev|1999|pp=127–128}}</ref> In the aftermath of the war, the city was permanently integrated in Bulgaria and became known by the Slavic name of Sredets. It grew into an important fortress and administrative centre under Krum's successor Khan [[Omurtag of Bulgaria|Omurtag]], who made it a centre of Sredets province (Sredetski komitat, Средецки комитат). The Bulgarian patron saint [[John of Rila]] was buried in Sredets by orders of Emperor [[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]] in the mid 10th century.<ref name="stancheva120">{{harvnb|Stancheva|2010|pp=120–121}}</ref> After the conquest of the Bulgarian capital [[Preslav]] by [[Sviatoslav I|Sviatoslav I of Kyiv]] and [[John I Tzimiskes]]' armies in 970–971, the [[Patriarch of All Bulgaria|Bulgarian Patriarch]] Damyan chose Sredets for his seat in the next year and the capital of Bulgaria was temporarily moved there.<ref>{{cite book|title=Slaviani|date=1967|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aMhmAAAAMAAJ|access-date=27 June 2019|archive-date=18 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818220338/https://books.google.com/books?id=aMhmAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> In the second half of 10th century the city was ruled by [[Nicholas (komes)|Komit Nikola]] and his sons, known as the "[[Cometopuli dynasty|Komitopuli]]". One of them was [[Samuel of Bulgaria|Samuil]], who was eventually crowned Emperor of Bulgaria in 997. In 986, the Byzantine Emperor [[Basil II]] laid siege to Sredets but after 20 days of fruitless assaults the garrison broke out and forced the Byzantines to abandon the campaign. On his way to Constantinople, Basil II was ambushed and soundly defeated by the Bulgarians in the [[battle of the Gates of Trajan]].<ref name="stancheva120"/><ref>{{harvnb|Bozhilov|Gyuzelev|1999|p=319}}</ref>

The city eventually fell to the [[Byzantine Empire]] in 1018, following the [[Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria]]. Sredets joined the [[uprising of Peter Delyan]] in 1040–1041 in a failed attempt to restore Bulgarian independence and was the last stronghold of the rebels, led by the local commander Botko.<ref>{{harvnb|Bozhilov|Gyuzelev|1999|pp=400–401}}</ref> During the 11th century many [[Pechenegs]] were settled down in Sofia region as Byzantine federats.

It was once again incorporated into the [[Second Bulgarian Empire|restored Bulgarian Empire]] in 1194 at the time of Emperor [[Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen I]] and became a major administrative and cultural centre.<ref>{{harvnb|Stancheva|2010|pp=123–124}}</ref> Several of the city's governors were members of the Bulgarian imperial family and held the title of ''[[sebastokrator]]'', the second highest at the time, after the [[tsar]]. Some known holders of the title were [[Kaloyan (sebastocrator)|Kaloyan]], [[Peter (sevastokrator)|Peter]] and their relative Aleksandar Asen (d. after 1232), a son of [[Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria]] ({{reign|1189|1196}}). In the 13th and 14th centuries Sredets was an important spiritual and literary hub with a cluster of 14 monasteries in its vicinity, that were eventually destroyed by the Ottomans. The city produced multicolored sgraffito ceramics, jewelry and ironware.<ref>{{harvnb|Stancheva|2010|pp=131, 139}}</ref>

In 1382/1383 or 1385, Sredets was seized by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in the course of the [[Bulgarian–Ottoman Wars|Bulgarian-Ottoman Wars]] by [[Lala Şahin Pasha]], following a [[Siege of Sofia|three-month siege]].<ref name=":0">Ivanova, Svetlana, "Ṣofya", in: Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition, Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P. Heinrichs. Consulted online on 23 January 2018.</ref> The Ottoman commander left the following description of the city garrison: "Inside the fortress [Sofia] there is a large and elite army, its soldiers are heavily built, moustached and look war-hardened, but are used to consume wine and [[rakia]]—in a word, jolly fellows."<ref>Cited in Халенбаков, О. ''Детска енциклопедия България: Залезът на царете'', с. 18</ref>

=== Early modern history ===
From the 14th century till the 19th century Sofia was an important administrative center in the Ottoman Empire. It became the capital of the [[beylerbey]]lik of [[Rumelia]] ([[Rumelia Eyalet]]), the [[Administrative divisions of the Ottoman Empire|province]] that administered the Ottoman lands in [[Europe]] (the [[Balkans]]), one of the two together with the beylerbeylik of [[Anatolia]]. It was the capital of the important [[Sanjak of Sofia]] as well, including the whole of [[Thrace]] with [[Plovdiv]] and [[Edirne]], and part of [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] with [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Skopje]].<ref>{{cite book | title=Godisnjak | publisher=Drustvo Istoricara Bosne i Hercegovine, Sarajevo | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-4wxAQAAIAAJ | year=1950 | page=174 | quote=Санџак Софија Овај је санџак основан око г. 1393. | access-date=27 June 2019 | archive-date=18 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818181152/https://books.google.com/books?id=-4wxAQAAIAAJ | url-status=live }}</ref>

During the initial stages of the [[Crusade of Varna]] in 1443, it was occupied by Hungarian forces for a short time in 1443, and the Bulgarian population celebrated a mass [[Saint Sofia Church, Sofia|Saint Sofia Church]]. Following the defeat of the crusader forces in 1444, the city's Christians faced persecution. In 1530 Sofia became the capital of the [[Subdivisions of the Ottoman Empire|Ottoman province]] (beylerbeylik) of [[Rumelia]] for about three centuries. During that time Sofia was the largest import-export-base in modern-day Bulgaria for the caravan trade with the [[Republic of Ragusa]]. In the 15th and 16th century, Sofia was expanded by Ottoman building activity. Public investments in infrastructure, education and local economy brought greater diversity to the city. Amongst others, the population consisted of [[Muslim]]s, [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] and [[Greek language|Greek]] speaking [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christians]], [[Armenians]], [[Georgians]], [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Ragusans, Jews ([[Romaniote Jews|Romaniote]], [[Ashkenazi Jews|Ashkenazi]] and [[Sephardi]]), and [[Romani people]].<ref name=":0" /> The 16th century was marked by a wave of persecutions against the Bulgarian Christians, a total of nine became [[New Martyrs]] in Sofia and were sainted by the Orthodox Church, including [[George of Kratovo|George the New]] (1515), Sophronius of Sofia (1515), George the Newest (1530), [[St. Nicholas of Sofia|Nicholas of Sofia]] (1555) and Terapontius of Sofia (1555).<ref>{{harvnb|Stancheva|2010|pp=165, 167–169}}</ref>

[[File:Sofia-oberbauer.png|thumb|alt=Sofia with the clock tower|Sofia in mid-19th-century]]

When it comes to the cityscape, 16th century sources mention eight [[Jama Masjid|Friday mosques]], three public libraries, numerous schools, 12 churches, three synagogues, and the largest [[bedesten]] (market) of the Balkans.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, there were fountains and ''[[Turkish bath|hammams]]'' (bathhouses). Most prominent churches such as Saint Sofia and Saint George were converted into mosques, and a number of new ones were constructed, including [[Banya Bashi Mosque]] built by the renowned Ottoman architect [[Mimar Sinan]]. In total there were 11 big and over 100 small mosques by the 17th century.<ref>{{harvnb|Stancheva|2010|pp=154–155}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sofia – Trip around Sofia|url=http://old.omda.bg/biblioteka/obikolka_sofia_1968/obikolka_sofia_balkantourist_1968_3.htm|publisher=Balkan tourist, 1968|access-date=8 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305050426/http://old.omda.bg/biblioteka/obikolka_sofia_1968/obikolka_sofia_balkantourist_1968_3.htm|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1610 the [[Catholic Church|Vatican]] established the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Sofia and Plovdiv|See of Sofia]] for Catholics of [[Rumelia]], which existed until 1715 when most Catholics had emigrated.<ref>{{Catholic|title=Sardica|url=http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Sardica}}</ref> There was an important uprising against Ottoman rule in Sofia, [[Samokov]] and Western Bulgaria in 1737.

Sofia entered a period of economic and political decline in the 17th century, accelerated during the period of anarchy in the Ottoman Balkans of the late 18th and early 19th century, when local Ottoman warlords ravaged the countryside. 1831 Ottoman population statistics show that 42% of the Christians were non-taxpayers in the [[kaza]] of Sofia and the amount of middle-class and poor Christians were equal.<ref>[[Kemal Karpat]] (1985), [https://kupdf.net/downloadFile/59e4a7b908bbc56144e653d7 Ottoman Population, 1830-1914, Demographic and Social Characteristics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010124553/https://kupdf.net/downloadFile/59e4a7b908bbc56144e653d7 |date=10 October 2019 }}, [[The University of Wisconsin Press]], p. 36</ref> Since the 18th century the ''[[beylerbey]]s'' of Rumelia often stayed in [[Bitola]], which became the official capital of the province in 1826. Sofia remained the seat of a [[sanjak]] (district). By the 19th century the Bulgarian population had two schools and seven churches, contributing to the [[Bulgarian National Revival]]. In 1858 [[Nedelya Petkova]] created the first Bulgarian school for women in the city. In 1867 was inaugurated the first ''[[chitalishte]]'' in Sofia – a Bulgarian cultural institution. In 1870 the Bulgarian revolutionary [[Vasil Levski]] established a [[Internal Revolutionary Organization|revolutionary committee]] in the city and in the neighbouring villages. Following his capture in 1873, Vasil Levski was transferred and hanged in Sofia by the Ottomans.

===Modern and contemporary history===
During the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)|Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78]], [[Suleiman Pasha (Ottoman general)|Suleiman Pasha]] threatened to burn the city in defence, but the foreign diplomats Leandre Legay, [[Vito Positano]], Rabbi Gabriel Almosnino and Josef Valdhart refused to leave the city thus saving it. Many Bulgarian residents of Sofia armed themselves and sided with the Russian forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://militera.lib.ru/h/genov/09.html|title=ВОЕННАЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРА --[ Военная история ]-- Генов Ц. Русско-турецкая война 1877–1878 гг. и подвиг освободителей|work=lib.ru|access-date=8 August 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025341/http://militera.lib.ru/h/genov/09.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sofia was relieved (see [[Battle of Sofia]]) from [[Ottoman rule of Bulgaria|Ottoman rule]] by [[Imperial Russian Army|Russian forces]] under Gen. [[Iosif Gurko]] on 4 January 1878. It was proposed as a capital by [[Marin Drinov]] and was accepted as such on 3 April 1879. By the time of its liberation the population of the city was 11,649.<ref>Kiradzhiev, Svetlin (2006). "Sofia. 125 years a capital. 1879–2004". "Guttenberg". {{ISBN|978-954-617-011-8}}</ref>

Most mosques in Sofia were destroyed in that war, seven of them destroyed in one night in December 1878 when a thunderstorm masked the noise of the explosions arranged by Russian military engineers.{{Sfn | Crampton | 2006 | p = 114}}<ref>{{Citation | last = Crampton | first = RJ | title = A Concise History of Bulgaria | place = Cambridge | publisher = [[Cambridge University Press]] | year = 2006 | orig-year = 1997 | isbn = 0-521-85085-1}}</ref> Following the war, the great majority of the Muslim population left Sofia.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:376bombgroup-bulgaria-01-jun-1944.gif|thumb|The [[Bombing of Sofia in World War II|allied bombing of Sofia in World War II]] in 1944]]
For a few decades after the liberation, Sofia experienced large population growth, mainly by migration from other regions of the Principality (Kingdom since 1908) of Bulgaria, and from the still Ottoman [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] and [[Thrace]].

In 1900, the first electric lightbulb in the city was turned on.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://novinar.bg/news/prez-1900-g-svetva-parvata-elektricheska-lampa-po-sofijskite-ulitci_MzUwMjszOA==.html |title=E-novinar.com – Новините на едно място |language=bg |trans-title=Mohailova, Tihomria. In 1900 the first electric lamp lit the streets of Sofia. Novinar |work=novinar.bg |date=12 March 2014 |access-date=22 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618064512/http://novinar.bg/news/prez-1900-g-svetva-parvata-elektricheska-lampa-po-sofijskite-ulitci_MzUwMjszOA==.html |archive-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the [[Second Balkan War]], Bulgaria was fighting alone practically all of its neighbouring countries. When the [[Romanian Army]] entered [[Vrazhdebna]] in 1913, then a village {{convert|7|mi|km|abbr=off|order=flip}} from Sofia, now a suburb,<ref name="Hall97">Hall (2000), p. 97.</ref> this prompted the [[Kingdom of Bulgaria|Tsardom of Bulgaria]] to capitulate.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} During the war, Sofia was flown by the [[Romanian Air Corps]], which engaged on photoreconnaissance operations and threw propaganda pamphlets to the city. Thus, Sofia became the first capital on the world to be overflown by enemy aircraft.<ref name="Hall118">Hall (2000), p. 118.</ref>

During the [[Military history of Bulgaria during World War II|Second World War]], Bulgaria declared war on the US and UK on 13 December 1941 and in late 1943 and early 1944 the [[Bombing of Sofia in World War II|US and UK Air forces conducted bombings over Sofia]]. As a consequence of the bombings thousands of buildings were destroyed or damaged including the Capital Library and thousands of books. In 1944 Sofia and the rest of Bulgaria was occupied by the Soviet [[Red Army]] and within days of the Soviet invasion Bulgaria declared war on Nazi Germany.

In 1945, the communist [[Fatherland Front (Bulgaria)|Fatherland Front]] took power. The transformations of Bulgaria into the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]] in 1946 and into the Republic of Bulgaria in 1990 marked significant changes in the city's appearance. The population of Sofia expanded rapidly due to migration from rural regions. New residential areas were built in the outskirts of the city, like Druzhba, Mladost and Lyulin.

During the [[Bulgarian Communist Party|Communist Party]] rule, a number of the city's most emblematic streets and squares were renamed for ideological reasons, with the original names restored after 1989.<ref>L. Ivanov. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319820028_1991_Sofia_street_naming_proposal 1991 Sofia street naming proposal.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025182101/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319820028_1991_Sofia_street_naming_proposal |date=25 October 2017 }} Sofia City Place-names Commission, 22 January 1991.</ref>

The [[Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum]], where [[Georgi Dimitrov|Dimitrov's]] body had been preserved in a similar way to the [[Lenin mausoleum]], was demolished in 1999.

==Cityscape==
[[File:Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevsky (23997168458).jpg|thumb|left|A view over central Sofia, with the [[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]] in the foreground and [[Vitosha]] in the distance]]

In Sofia there are 607,473 dwellings and 101,696 buildings. According to modern records, 39,551 dwellings were constructed until 1949, 119,943 between 1950 and 1969, 287,191 between 1970 and 1989, 57,916 in the 90s and 102,623 between 2000 and 2011. Until 1949, 13,114 buildings were constructed and between 10,000 and 20,000 in each following decade.<ref name=book/> Sofia's architecture combines a wide range of architectural styles, some of which are aesthetically incompatible. These vary from Christian Roman architecture and medieval Bulgarian fortresses to Neoclassicism and prefabricated Socialist-era apartment blocks, as well as newer glass buildings and international architecture. A number of ancient Roman, Byzantine and medieval Bulgarian buildings are preserved in the centre of the city. These include the 4th century [[Church of St. George, Sofia|Rotunda of St. George]], the walls of the Serdica fortress and the partially preserved [[Amphitheatre of Serdica]].

After the Liberation War, knyaz [[Alexander, Prince 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]] |year=1980 |location=Sofia |pages=209–210}}</ref>

Among the architects invited to work in Bulgaria were [[Friedrich Grünanger]], Adolf Václav Kolář, and [[Viktor Rumpelmayer]], who designed the most important public buildings needed by the newly re-established 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 [[Baroque Revival architecture|Neo-Baroque]], Neo-[[Rococo]], [[Renaissance Revival architecture|Neo-Renaissance]] and [[Neoclassicism]], with the [[Vienna Secession]] also later playing an important part, but it is most typically Central European.

After World War II and the establishment of a [[Communist state|Communist government]] in Bulgaria in 1944, the architectural style was substantially altered. [[Stalinist architecture|Stalinist Gothic]] public buildings emerged in the centre, notably the spacious government complex around [[Largo, Sofia|The Largo]], Vasil Levski Stadium, the Cyril and Methodius National Library and others. As the city grew outwards, the then-new neighbourhoods were dominated by many concrete [[tower block]]s, prefabricated panel apartment buildings and examples of [[Brutalist architecture]].

After the abolition of [[Communism]] in 1989, Sofia witnessed the construction of whole business districts and neighbourhoods, as well as modern skyscraper-like glass-fronted office buildings, but also top-class residential neighbourhoods. The {{convert|126|m|ft|adj=on}} [[Capital Fort]] Business Centre is the first skyscraper in Bulgaria, with its 36 floors. However, the end of the old administration and centrally planned system also paved the way for chaotic and unrestrained construction, which continues today.

[[File:StSophiaChurch-Sofia-10.jpg|Interior of the ancient [[Saint Sofia Church, Sofia|Saint Sofia Church]]|thumb]]
[[File:Sofia '17 (24614289157) ver 2.jpg|[[Neoclassical architecture]], Polygraphia office center|thumb]]

===Green areas===
[[File:Borisova gradina autumn.jpg|thumb|left|[[Borisova gradina]]]]
The city has an extensive [[green belt]]. Some of the neighbourhoods constructed after 2000 are densely built up and lack green spaces. There are four principal parks – [[Borisova gradina]] in the city centre and the ''Southern'', ''Western'' and ''Northern'' parks. Several smaller parks, among which the [[Vazrazhdane Park]], [[Zaimov Park]], [[City Garden (Sofia)|City Garden]] and the [[Doctors' Garden]], are located in central Sofia. 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 |publisher=journey.bg |access-date=24 May 2008 |language=bg |archive-date=23 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523163142/http://journey.bg/bulgaria/bulgaria.php?&gtype=21 |url-status=live }}</ref> includes most of [[Vitosha]] mountain and covers an area of {{convert|266|km²|0|abbr=out}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vitoshamount.hit.bg/ |title=Vitosha Mountain |publisher=vitoshamount.hit.bg |access-date=29 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20040620025050/http://www.vitoshamount.hit.bg/ |archive-date=20 June 2004 }}</ref> with roughly half of it lying within the municipality of Sofia. Vitosha mountain is a popular hiking destination due to its proximity and ease of access via car and public transport. Two functioning cable cars provide year long access from the outskirts of the city. The mountain offers favourable skiing conditions during the winter. During the 1970s and the 1980s multiple ski slopes of varying difficulty were made available. Skiing equipment can be rented and skiing lessons are available. However, due to the bad communication between the private offshore company that runs the resort and Sofia municipality, most of the ski areas have been left to decay in the last 10 years, so that only one chairlift and one slope work.

==Government and law==
===Local government===
{{bar box
|title=Composition of the [[Sofia City Council|City Council]]
|titlebar=#DDD
|float   =right
|left1=Party
|right2=61 Seats
|width=375px
|bars=
{{bar pixel|'''[[PP-DB]]'''|#4d00ff|23}}
{{bar pixel|'''[[Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria|GERB]]'''|lightblue|14}}
{{bar pixel|'''[[Bulgarian Socialist Party]]'''|#FF0000|9}}
{{bar pixel|'''[[Revival (Bulgarian political party)|Revival]]'''|#C09F62|7}}
{{bar pixel|'''[[Conservative Union of the Right|KOD]]'''|darkblue|3}}
{{bar pixel|'''[[There is Such a People|ITN]]'''|#4BB9DE|3}}
{{bar pixel|'''[[VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement|IMRO]]'''|black|1}}
{{bar pixel|'''Independent'''|gray|1}}
|caption='''Total''' votes: 329 027<br />[[2023 Bulgarian local elections]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sofia Council - Общински съветници 2023-2027|url=https://council.sofia.bg/web/guest/councilors2023-2027|access-date=2024-07-02|website=council.sofia.bg}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Sofia districts.svg|thumb|A map of the 24 districts of Sofia]]
[[Sofia Capital Municipality|Sofia Municipality]] is identical to [[Sofia City Province]], which is distinct from [[Sofia Province]], which surrounds but does not include the capital itself. Besides the city proper, the 24 districts of Sofia Municipality encompass three other towns and 34 villages.<ref name="District Mayors">{{cite web
 |url=http://sofia.bg/en/display.asp?ime=council 
 |title=District Mayors 
 |publisher=Sofia Municipality 
 |access-date=26 December 2009 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220184844/http://sofia.bg/en/display.asp?ime=council 
 |archive-date=20 December 2009 }}</ref> Districts and settlements have their own mayor who is elected in a popular election. The assembly members are chosen every four years. The common head of Sofia Municipality and all the 38 settlements is the [[List of mayors of Sofia|mayor of Sofia]].<ref name="District Mayors"/> The mayor [[Vasil Terziev]] is serving his first term, having won the [[2023 Sofia mayoral election|2023 election]] as the nominee of the [[PP-DB]] coalition and the local [[Spasi Sofia|Save Sofia]] party. After winning the first round of the election without receiving the majority of votes, Terziev entered a tight runoff against [[Bulgarian Socialist Party|BSP]] candidate [[Vanya Grigorova]], which he won with 175,044 votes, compared to Grigorova’s 170,258.<ref>https://results.cik.bg/mi2023/tur1/rezultati/2246.html {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref><ref>https://results.cik.bg/mi2023/tur2/rezultati/2246.html {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! #
! District
! km<sup>2</sup>
! Pop.
! Density (/km<sup>2</sup>)
! Extent
! Mayor
|-
| 1 || [[Sredets, Sofia|Sredets]] || 3 || 32,423 || 10,807 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 2 || [[Krasno selo]] || 7 || 83,552 || 11,936 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 3 || [[Vazrazhdane]] || 3 || 37,303 || 12,434 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 4 || [[Oborishte, Sofia|Oborishte]] || 3 || 31,060 || 10,353 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 5 || [[Serdika]] || 18 || 46,949 || 2,608 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 6 || [[Poduyane]] || 11 || 76,672 || 6,970 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 7 || [[Slatina, Sofia|Slatina]] || 13 || 66,702 || 5,130 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 8 || [[Izgrev, Sofia|Izgrev]] || 5 || 30,896 || 6,179 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 9 || [[Lozenets, Sofia|Lozenets]] || 9 || 53,080 || 5,897 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 10 || [[Triaditsa, Sofia|Triaditsa]] || 10 || 63,451 || 6,345 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 11 || [[Krasna polyana]] || 9 ||  58,234 || 6,470 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 12 || [[Ilinden, Sofia|Ilinden]] || 3 || 33,236 || 11,078 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 13 || [[Nadezhda, Sofia|Nadezhda]] || 19 || 67,905 || 3,573 || City ||[[GERB]]
|-
| 14 || [[Iskar, Sofia|Iskar]] || 26 || 63,248 || 2,432 || City/satellites ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 15 || [[Mladost, Sofia|Mladost]] || 17 || 102,899 || 6,052 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 16 || [[Studentski grad (Sofia)|Studentski]] || 9 || 71,961 || 7,995 || City ||Independent
|-
| 17 || [[Vitosha, Sofia|Vitosha]] || 123 || 61,467 || 499 || City/satellites  || [[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 18 || [[Ovcha kupel]] || 42 || 54,320 || 1,293 || City/satellites ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 19 || [[Lyulin, Sofia|Lyulin]] || 22 || 114,910 || 5,223 || City ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 20 || [[Vrabnitsa, Sofia|Vrabnitsa]] || 44 || 47,969 || 1,090 || City/satellites ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 21 || [[Novi Iskar]] || 220 || 28,991 || 131 || Satellites ||Independent
|-
| 22 || [[Kremikovtsi]] || 256 || 23,641 || 92 || City/satellites ||[[We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria|PP-DB]]
|-
| 23 || [[Pancharevo]] || 407 || 28,586 || 70 || Satellites ||[[GERB]]
|-
| 24 || [[Bankya]] || 53 || 12,136 || 228 || Satellites ||[[GERB]]
|-
|  || TOTAL || 1342|| 1,291,591|| 962 ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2023 |title=bTV |url=https://btvnovinite.bg/bulgaria/rezultatite-v-sofija-eto-koi-sa-vsichki-kmetove-na-rajonite-i-kmetstvata.html}}</ref>
|}

===National government===
Sofia is the seat of the executive ([[Government of Bulgaria|Council of Ministers]]), [[legislative]] ([[National Assembly (Bulgaria)|National Assembly]]) and [[judiciary]] ([[Supreme Court of Bulgaria|Supreme Court]] and [[Constitutional Court of Bulgaria|Constitutional Court]]) bodies of Bulgaria, as well as all government agencies, ministries, the [[Bulgarian National Bank|National Bank]], and the delegation of the [[European Commission]]. The [[President of Bulgaria|President]], along with the Council of Ministers, is located on [[Largo, Sofia|Independence Square]], also known as The Largo or ''The Triangle of Power''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bnt.bg/bg/a/triagalnikat-na-vlastta-ili-largoto-kak-se-e-promenyal-prez-godinite|title="Триъгълникът на властта" или Ларгото: Как се е променял през годините|trans-title=The Triangle of Power or The Largo: How It Changed Throughout the Years|publisher=Bulgarian National Television|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606210152/https://www.bnt.bg/bg/a/triagalnikat-na-vlastta-ili-largoto-kak-se-e-promenyal-prez-godinite|url-status=live}}</ref> One of the three buildings in the architectural ensemble, the former [[Bulgarian Communist Party]] headquarters, is due to become the seat of the Parliament. A refurbishment project is due to be completed in mid-2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bnt.bg/bg/a/kak-shche-izglezhda-novata-plenarna-zala-za-blgarskite-deputati|title=Как ще изглежда новата пленарна зала на българските депутати?|trans-title=What will the new Parliament hall look like?|publisher=Bulgarian National Television|date=2 October 2018|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=29 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529145527/https://bntnews.bg/bg/a/kak-shche-izglezhda-novata-plenarna-zala-za-blgarskite-deputati|url-status=live}}</ref> while the [[Bulgaria National Assembly Building|old National Assembly]] building will become a museum or will only host ceremonial political events.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://btvnovinite.bg/bulgaria/narodnoto-sabranie-muzej.html|title=Народното събрание – музей?|trans-title=The National Assembly – a Museum?|publisher=BTV Novinite|date=7 October 2018|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=8 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008140007/https://btvnovinite.bg/bulgaria/narodnoto-sabranie-muzej.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:National Assembly main building, Sofia, October 2016 02.jpg|The [[National Assembly (Bulgaria)|National Assembly]] building|thumb]]
[[File:Party House, Sofia (by Pudelek).JPG|The [[Government of Bulgaria|Council of Ministers]] (left), [[President of Bulgaria|Presidency]] (right) and the former Communist Party House|thumb]]

Under Bulgaria's centralised political system, Sofia concentrates much of the political and financial resources of the country. It is the only city in Bulgaria to host three electoral constituencies: the [[23rd Multi-member Constituency|23rd]], [[24th Multi-member Constituency|24th]] and [[25th Multi-member Constituency|25th Multi-member Constituencies]], which together field 42 mandates in the 240-member National Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cik.bg/bg/decisions/4149/2017-01-27|title=РЕШЕНИЕ № 4149-НС София, 27.01.2017|trans-title=Resolution No. 4149-NS Sofia|publisher=Central Electoral Commission|date=27 January 2017|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404155706/https://www.cik.bg/bg/decisions/4149/2017-01-27|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Crime ===
With a murder rate of 1.7/per 100.000 people ({{As of|2009|lc=y}}) Sofia is a relatively safe capital city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2012/nov/30/new-york-crime-free-day-deadliest-cities-worldwide|title=Where are world's deadliest major cities?|first=Mona|last=Chalabi|date=30 November 2012|work=theguardian.com|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-date=23 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123211112/https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2012/nov/30/new-york-crime-free-day-deadliest-cities-worldwide|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, in the 21st century, crimes, including [[Bulgarian mafia]] killings, caused problems in the city,<ref name="CoulbyCowen2013">{{cite book|author1=David Coulby|author2=Robert Cowen|author3=Crispin Jones|title=World Yearbook of Education 2000: Education in Times of Transition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Ai3MC8X1qYC&pg=PA10|date=17 January 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-16603-7|page=10|quote=crime rates have exploded in Sofia as well as in Moscow and St Petersburg.|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-date=18 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418021743/https://books.google.com/books?id=6Ai3MC8X1qYC&pg=PA10|url-status=live}}</ref> where authorities had difficulties convicting the actors,<ref name="Noutcheva2012">{{cite book|author=Gergana Noutcheva|title=European Foreign Policy and the Challenges of Balkan Accession: Conditionality, legitimacy and compliance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nB8fKw5rSgEC&pg=PA192|date=26 July 2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-30619-8|page=192|quote=The strongest EU demand – structural changes of the judicial system – had to do with the crime rate in Bulgaria and the apparent impotence of the authorities in Sofia to convict any of the murderes in the high-profile mafia killings that shook the country in 2003–2005.|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-date=18 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418012159/https://books.google.com/books?id=nB8fKw5rSgEC&pg=PA192|url-status=live}}</ref> which had caused the [[European Commission]] to warn the Bulgarian government that the country would not be able to join the EU unless it curbed crime<ref name="Economist">{{cite news|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|title=Bulgarian Crime – Where killing is a habit|date=27 October 2005|url=http://www.economist.com/node/5090978|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629115824/http://www.economist.com/node/5090978|archive-date=29 June 2015}}</ref> (Bulgaria eventually joined in 2007).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6220591.stm|title=BBC NEWS – Europe – Romania and Bulgaria join the EU|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-date=29 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529145528/https://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/cgi-bin/m?rnd=1622300127537&ci=bbc&cg=0&sr=1600x1000&ts=v51.js&cd=24&lg=en-US&je=n&ck=y&tz=0&ct=&hp=&tl=BBC%20NEWS%20%7C%20Europe%20%7C%20Romania%20and%20Bulgaria%20join%20the%20EU&si=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F2%2Fhi%2Feurope%2F6220591.stm&rp=|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of the most severe crimes are [[contract killings]] that are connected to [[organised crime]], but these had dropped in recent years after several arrests of gang members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17096|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229002025/https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17096|archive-date=29 December 2016|title=Bulgaria 2015 Crime and Safety Report|date=29 December 2016}}</ref> [[Crime in Bulgaria#Corruption|Corruption in Bulgaria]] also affects Sofia's authorities. According to the director of Sofia District Police Directorate, the largest share of the crimes are thefts, making up 62.4% of all crimes in the capital city. Increasing are frauds, drug-related crimes, [[petty theft]] and [[vandalism]].<ref>[http://www.novinite.com/articles/163273/Crime+Rates+in+Bulgaria's+Sofia+on+the+Rise#sthash.flBwRpGL.dpuf Crime Rates in Bulgaria's Sofia on the Rise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522164239/http://www.novinite.com/articles/163273/Crime+Rates+in+Bulgaria%27s+Sofia+on+the+Rise#sthash.flBwRpGL.dpuf |date=22 May 2015 }} Novinite</ref> According to a survey, almost a third of Sofia's residents say that they never feel safe in the Bulgarian capital, while 20% always feel safe.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Most Dangerous Cities in Europe|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/europe-dangerous-cities-2011-9?op=1|publisher=Business Insider Inc.|access-date=23 October 2015|archive-date=2 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702211900/http://www.businessinsider.com/europe-dangerous-cities-2011-9?op=1|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2015}}, the consumer-reported perceived crime risk on the [[Numbeo]] database was "high" for theft and vandalism and "low" for violent crimes; safety while walking during daylight was rated "very high", and "moderate" during the night.<ref name="Numbeo">{{cite web|url=http://www.numbeo.com/crime/city_result.jsp?country=Bulgaria&city=Sofia|title=Crime in Sofia. Safety in Sofia.|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919075244/http://www.numbeo.com/crime/city_result.jsp?country=Bulgaria&city=Sofia|archive-date=19 September 2015}}</ref> With 1,600 prisoners, the [[incarceration rate]] is above 0.1%;<ref>[http://www.gdin.bg/%D0%97%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80-%D0%A1%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%8F_p65_l6.html The prison in Sofia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063024/http://www.gdin.bg/%D0%97%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80-%D0%A1%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%8F_p65_l6.html |date=4 March 2016 }}. Gdin</ref> however, roughly 70% of all prisoners are part of the [[Romani people in Bulgaria|Romani minority]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=4583604|title=Само 10 000 в затвора, 7000 от тях са цигани|website=24chasa.bg|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124083636/http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=4583604|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{See also|Tourist attractions in Sofia|List of churches in Sofia}}

===Arts and entertainment===
{{see also|Art galleries in Sofia}}
[[File:Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia BUL.jpg|thumb|[[Cathedral]] dedicated to [[Alexander Nevsky]]]]
Sofia concentrates the majority of Bulgaria's leading performing arts troupes. Theatre is by far the most popular form of performing art, and theatrical venues are among the most visited, second only to cinemas. There were 3,162 theatric performances with 570,568 people attending in 2014.{{Sfn|Sofia|2016|page=159}} The [[Ivan Vazov National Theatre]], which performs mainly classical plays and is situated in the very centre of the city, is the most prominent theatre. The [[National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria]] is a combined opera and ballet collective established in 1891. Regular performances began in 1909. Some of Bulgaria's most famous operatic singers, such as [[Nicolai Ghiaurov]] and [[Ghena Dimitrova]], made their first appearances on the stage of the National Opera and Ballet.

Cinema is the most popular form of entertainment: there were more than 141,000 film shows with a total attendance exceeding 2,700,000 in 2014.{{Sfn|Sofia|2016|page=160}} Over the past two decades, numerous independent cinemas have closed and most shows are in shopping centre [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplexes]]. ''Odeon'' (not part of the [[Odeon Cinemas]] chain) shows exclusively European and independent American films, as well as 20th century classics. The Boyana Film studios was at the centre of a once-thriving domestic film industry, which declined significantly after 1990. [[Nu Image]] acquired the studios to upgrade them into [[Nu Boyana Film Studios]], used to shoot scenes for a number of action movies like ''[[The Expendables 2]]'', ''[[Rambo: Last Blood]]'' and ''[[London Has Fallen]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/191895/UPDATE%3A+Stallone+Returning+to+NU+BOYANA+Film+Studios+in+Bulgaria+for+%E2%80%98Rambo+5%E2%80%99|title=UPDATE: Stallone Returning to NU BOYANA Film Studios in Bulgaria for 'Rambo 5'|publisher=Novinite|date=30 August 2018|access-date=28 October 2018|archive-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831164251/https://www.novinite.com/articles/191895/UPDATE%3A+Stallone+Returning+to+NU+BOYANA+Film+Studios+in+Bulgaria+for+%E2%80%98Rambo+5%E2%80%99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3300542/companycredits|title=London Has Fallen: Company Credits|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=28 October 2018|archive-date=27 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127202134/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3300542/companycredits|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Museum of Contemporary Art - Sofia Arsenal Front facade, Софийски арсенал - Музей за съвременно изкуство.jpg|thumb|left|The Museum of Contemporary Art]]
Bulgaria's largest art museums are located in the central areas of the city. Since 2015, the [[National Art Gallery (Bulgaria)|National Art Gallery]], located in the former [[Royal Palace (Sofia)|royal palace]], the [[National Gallery for Foreign Art]] (NGFA) and the [[Museum of Contemporary Art – Sofia Arsenal]] were merged to form the [[National Gallery]]. Its largest branch is Kvadrat 500, located on the NFGA premises, where some 2,000 works are on display in twenty eight exhibition halls.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bnr.bg/en/post/100561824/national-gallery-square-500-the-non-standard-museum |title=(source) |access-date=16 July 2016 |archive-date=16 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816161734/http://bnr.bg/en/post/100561824/national-gallery-square-500-the-non-standard-museum |url-status=live }}</ref> The collections encompass diverse cultural items, from [[Ashanti Empire]] sculptures and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] art to [[Dutch Golden Age]] painting, works by [[Albrecht Dürer]], [[Jean-Baptiste Greuze]] and [[Auguste Rodin]]. The [[crypt]] of the Alexander Nevsky cathedral is another branch of the National Gallery. It holds a collection of Eastern Orthodox icons from the 9th to the 19th century.

The [[National Historical Museum (Bulgaria)|National History Museum]], located in [[Boyana]], it has a vast collection of more than 650,000 historical items dating from Prehistory to the modern era, although only 10,000 of them are permanently displayed due to the lack of space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historymuseum.org/collection.php|title=Колекции – НИМ|website=Historymuseum.org|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=17 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217203853/http://www.historymuseum.org/collection.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Smaller collections of historical items are displayed in the [[National Archaeological Museum (Bulgaria)|National Archaeological Museum]], a former mosque located between the edifices of the National Bank and the Presidency. Two natural sciences museums—the [[National Museum of Natural History (Bulgaria)|Natural History Museum]] and [[Earth and Man National Museum|Earth and Man]]—display minerals, animal species (alive and [[Taxidermy|taxidermic]]) and rare materials. The Ethnographic Museum and the [[National Museum of Military History (Bulgaria)|Museum of Military History]] hold large collections of Bulgarian folk costumes and armaments, respectively. The [[National Polytechnical Museum|Polytechnical Museum]] has more than 1,000 technological items on display. The [[SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library]], the foremost information repository in the country, holds some 1,800,000 books and more than 7,000,000 documents, manuscripts, maps and other items.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationallibrary.bg/wp/?page_id=250&lang=bg|title=Funds and collections|publisher=SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library|access-date=28 October 2018|archive-date=28 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151523/http://www.nationallibrary.bg/wp/?page_id=250&lang=bg|url-status=live}}</ref> 
[[File:Boyana Church Mural Paintings.jpg|thumb|right|Interior of the medieval [[Boyana Church]]]]
[[File:Banya Bashi Mosque (37849692391).jpg| The [[Banya Bashi Mosque]], an example of [[Ottoman architecture]]|thumb]]
The city houses many cultural institutes such as the Russian Cultural Institute, the [[Polish Cultural Institute]], the Hungarian Institute, the Czech and the Slovak Cultural Institutes, the [[Italian Cultural Institute]], [[Confucius Institute]], [[Institut Français]], [[Goethe-Institut|Goethe Institut]], [[British Council]] and [[Instituto Cervantes]] which regularly organise temporary expositions of visual, sound and literary works by artists from their respective countries.

Some of the biggest telecommunications companies, TV and radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and web portals are based in Sofia, including the [[Bulgarian National Television]], [[BTV (Bulgaria)|bTV]] and [[Nova Television (Bulgaria)|Nova TV]]. Top-circulation newspapers include ''[[24 Chasa]]'' and ''[[Dneven Trud|Trud]]''.

The [[Boyana Church]], a [[UNESCO]] World Heritage site, contains realistic frescoes, depicting more than 240 human images and a total 89 scenes, were painted. With their vital, humanistic realism they are a [[Renaissance]] phenomenon at its culmination phase in the context of the common-European art.<ref name="ecker">{{cite book|title= Bulgarien. Kunstdenkmäler aus vier Jahrtausenden von den Thrakern bis zur Gegenwart.|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Y1lKNBGLs7oC&pg=PA205|language= de|last= Ecker|first= Gerhard|publisher= DuMont Buchverlag|location= Köln|year= 1984|isbn= 9783406398667|access-date= 12 September 2017|archive-date= 20 August 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200820024306/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y1lKNBGLs7oC&pg=PA205|url-status= live}}</ref>

===Tourism===
Sofia is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Bulgaria alongside coastal and mountain resorts. Among its highlights is the [[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]], one of the symbols of Bulgaria, constructed in the late 19th century. It occupies an area of {{convert|3170|m2|0|abbr=off}} and can hold 10,000 people.

The city center contains many remains of ancient Serdica that have been excavated and are on public display, including ''Complex Ancient Serdica'', eastern gate, western gate, city walls, thermal baths, 4th c. [[Church of St. George, Sofia|church of St. George Rotunda]], [[amphitheatre of Serdica]], the tombs and basilicas under the [[Saint Sophia Church, Sofia|basilica of St. Sophia]].

[[Vitosha Boulevard]], also called ''Vitoshka'', is a pedestrian zone with numerous cafés, restaurants, fashion boutiques, and [[luxury good]]s stores. Sofia's [[geographic coordinate system|geographic location]], in the foothills of the weekend retreat [[Vitosha]] mountain, further adds to the city's specific atmosphere.<gallery mode="packed" caption="Some of tourist attraction in Sofia">
File:Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Sofia.JPG|[[Ivan Vazov National Theatre]]
File:Boulevard Vitosha (5) (37448099450).jpg|[[Vitosha Boulevard]], the main shopping street in the city
File:Central Market Hall in Sofia 2012 PD 07.jpg|[[Central Sofia Market Hall]]
File:St. George Rotunda, Sofia, Bulgaria (17680380465).jpg|[[Church of Saint George, Sofia|Church of Saint George]]
File:Gallery for Foreign Art TodorBozhinov 041009.jpg|[[National Gallery for Foreign Art]]
</gallery>

==Sports==
[[File:Vasil Levski National Stadium 2022.jpg|thumb|[[Vasil Levski National Stadium]]]]
A large number of sports clubs are based in the city. During the Communist era, most sports clubs concentrated on all-round sporting development, therefore [[USC CSKA Sofia|CSKA]], [[Levski Sofia (sports club)|Levski]], [[PFC Lokomotiv Sofia|Lokomotiv]], and [[PFC Slavia Sofia|Slavia]] are dominant not only in football, but in many other team sports as well. Basketball and volleyball also have strong traditions in Sofia. A notable local [[basketball]] team is twice [[Euroleague#Champions 1958-2008|European Champions Cup]] finalist [[PBC Lukoil Academic|Lukoil Akademik]]. The [[Bulgarian Volleyball Federation]] is the world's second-oldest, and it was an exhibition tournament organised by the BVF in Sofia that convinced the [[International Olympic Committee]] to include volleyball as an [[Volleyball at the Summer Olympics#History|olympic sport]] in 1957.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.balkanvolleyball.org/News.htm 
 |title=BVA-News 
 |publisher=balkanvolleyball.org 
 |access-date=11 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220025206/http://www.balkanvolleyball.org/News.htm 
 |archive-date=20 February 2008 |url-status=dead 
}}</ref> Tennis is increasingly popular in the city. 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&nbsp;— Tennis courts
 |publisher  = sofia.bg
 |access-date = 11 May 2008
}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[tennis court]] complexes within the city including the one founded by former [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] top-five athlete [[Magdalena Maleeva]].<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.maleevaclub.com/
| title=Тенис Клуб Малееви
| publisher=maleevaclub.com
| access-date=11 May 2008
| archive-date=14 March 2008
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314024228/http://maleevaclub.com/
| url-status=live
}}</ref>

Sofia applied to host the [[Winter Olympic Games]] in 1992 and in 1994, coming second and third 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]]. In 2012, it hosted the [[FIVB World League]] finals.
[[File:Garanti Koza Sofia Open - at Arena Armeets.jpg|thumb|right|Arena Sofia during the [[ATP Sofia Open]]]]
The city is home to a number of large sports venues, including the 43,000-seat [[Vasil Levski National Stadium]] which hosts international football matches, as well as [[Stadion Balgarska Armia|Balgarska Armia Stadium]], [[Georgi Asparuhov Stadium]] and [[Lokomotiv Stadium (Sofia)|Lokomotiv Stadium]], the main venues for outdoor musical concerts. [[Arena Sofia]] holds many indoor events and has a capacity of up to 19,000 people depending on its use. The venue was inaugurated on 30 July 2011, and the first event it hosted was a friendly volleyball match between Bulgaria and Serbia. There are two [[ice skating]] complexes&nbsp;— the [[Winter Sports Palace]] with a capacity of 4,600 and the Slavia Winter Stadium with a capacity of 2,000, both containing two rinks each.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kunki.org/page.php?9 |title=Skate rinks in Sofia |publisher=kunki.org |access-date=11 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417162144/http://kunki.org/page.php?9 |archive-date=17 April 2008 }}</ref> A [[velodrome]] with 5,000 seats in the city's [[Borisova gradina|central park]] is undergoing renovation.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://journey.bg/bulgaria/bulgaria.php?guide=1916
| title=Journey.bg&nbsp;— History of the Sofia velodrome
| publisher=journey.bg
| access-date=11 May 2008
| archive-date=15 May 2005
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050515060503/http://www.journey.bg/bulgaria/bulgaria.php?guide=1916
| url-status=live
}}</ref> There are also various other sports complexes in the city which belong to institutions other than football clubs, such as those of the [[National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski"|National Sports Academy]], the [[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]], or those of different 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
| access-date=11 May 2008
| archive-date=10 May 2008
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510070734/http://tonus.tialoto.bg/article.php?id=2277
| url-status=live
}}</ref> Nearly all of these were constructed as competition venues and therefore have seating facilities for several hundred people.

There are two [[golf]] courses just to the east of Sofia&nbsp;— in [[Elin Pelin]] (St Sofia club) and in [[Ihtiman]] (Air Sofia club), and a horseriding club (St George club).
Sofia was designated as European Capital of Sport in 2018. The decision was announced in November 2014 by the Evaluation Committee of ACES Europe, on the grounds that "the city is a good example of sport for all, as means to improve healthy lifestyle, integration and education, which are the basis of the initiative".

==Demographics==
[[File:Sofia population pyramid in 2021.svg|thumb|Sofia population pyramid in 2021]]
'''Population over the years (in thousands):'''{{historical populations|1887|30501|1910|102812|1934|287095|1946|436623|1956|644727|1965|801111|1975|967214|1985|1114759|1992|1114925|2001|1091772|2011|1202761|2021|1221785|2022|1221172|align=right|cols=1|source=Censuses<ref name="BAN">{{cite web |url=http://www.geography.iit.bas.bg/2009/1-09/13-17.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706142758/http://www.geography.iit.bas.bg/2009/1-09/13-17.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-06 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cities of Bulgaria|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/bulgaria-cities.htm|date=2024-04-03}}</ref>{{cite web|title=National statistical institute|url=https://www.nsi.bg/bg/content/21551/bg001c-%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%8F|date=2024-10-31}}}}<timeline>
ImageSize = width:750 height:280
PlotArea = left:50 right:20 top:25 bottom:30
TimeAxis = orientation:vertical
AlignBars = late
Colors =
 id:linegrey2 value:gray(0.9)
 id:linegrey value:gray(0.7)
 id:cobar value:rgb(0.2,0.7,0.8)
 id:cobar2 value:rgb(0.6,0.9,0.6)
DateFormat = yyyy
Period = from:0 till:1500
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:100 start:0 gridcolor:linegrey
ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:50 start:0 gridcolor:linegrey2
PlotData =
 color:cobar width:19 align:left
 bar:1700s from:0 till:70
 bar:1870 from:0 till:19
 bar:1880 from:0 till:20
 bar:1887 from:0 till:30
 bar:1892 from:0 till:46
 bar:1900 from:0 till:68
 bar:1905 from:0 till:82
 bar:1910 from:0 till:102
 bar:1920 from:0 till:154
 bar:1926 from:0 till:213
 bar:1934 from:0 till:287
 bar:1939 from:0 till:401
 bar:1946 from:0 till:435
 bar:1956 from:0 till:639
 bar:1965 from:0 till:802
 bar:1975 from:0 till:965
 bar:1985 from:0 till:1121
 bar:1992 from:0 till:1114
 bar:2001 from:0 till:1091
 bar:2011 from:0 till:1202
 bar:2015 from:0 till:1228
 bar:2016 from:0 till:1236
 bar:2018 from:0 till:1269
 bar:2021 from:0 till:1248
PlotData=
 textcolor:black fontsize:S
 bar:1700s at: 70 text: 70,0 shift:(-8,5)
 bar:1870 at: 19 text: 19,0 shift:(-8,5)
 bar:1880 at: 20 text: 20,5 shift:(-8,5)
 bar:1887 at: 30 text: 30,5 shift:(-11,5)
 bar:1892 at: 46 text: 46,6 shift:(-11,5)
 bar:1900 at: 68 text: 68,0 shift:(-11,5)
 bar:1905 at: 82 text: 82,6 shift:(-11,5)
 bar:1910 at: 102 text: 102,8 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1920 at: 154 text: 154,0 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1926 at: 213 text: 213,0 shift:(-11,5)
 bar:1934 at: 287 text: 287,1 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1939 at: 401 text: 401,0 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1946 at: 435 text: 435,0 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1956 at: 639 text: 639,9 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1965 at: 802 text: 802,4 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1975 at: 965 text: 965,7 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1985 at: 1121 text: 1122 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:1992 at: 1114 text: 1115 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:2001 at: 1091 text: 1092 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:2011 at: 1202 text: 1203 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:2015 at: 1228 text: 1228 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:2016 at: 1236 text: 1236 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:2018 at: 1269 text: 1269 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:2021 at: 1248 text: 1248 shift:(-14,5)
 bar:2021 at: 1248 text: 1248 shift:(-14,5)
</timeline>
[[File:13.modelat bay Georgi i studenti ot akademiata.jpg|thumb|right|Students of the [[National Academy of Arts]] (circa 1952–53). People aged 20–25 years have been the most numerous group in the city since the process of Bulgarian urbanisation.]]
According to 2018 data, the city has a population of 1,400,384 and the whole [[Sofia Capital Municipality]] of 1,500,120.<ref>{{cite web |title=Population {{!}} National statistical institute |url=http://www.nsi.bg/en/content/6703/population |website=www.nsi.bg |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026220450/http://www.nsi.bg/en/content/6703/population |url-status=live }}</ref> The first census carried out in February 1878 by the Russian Army recorded a population of 11,694 inhabitants including 6,560 [[Bulgarians]], 3,538 [[Bulgarian Jews|Jews]], 839 [[Turkish people|Turks]], and 737 [[Romani people|Romani]].

The ratio of women per 1,000 men was 1,102. The [[birth rate]] per 1000 people was 12.3 per mile and steadily increasing in the last 5 years, the [[Mortality rate|death rate]] reaching 12.1 per mile and decreasing. The natural growth rate during 2009 was 0.2 per mile, the first positive growth rate in nearly 20 years. The considerable immigration to the capital from poorer regions of the country, as well as urbanisation, are among the other reasons for the increase in Sofia's population. The [[infant mortality]] rate was 5.6 per 1,000, down from 18.9 in 1980. According to the 2011 census, people aged 20–24 years are the most numerous group, numbering 133,170 individuals and accounting for 11% of the total 1,202,761 people. The median age is 38 though. According to the census, 1,056,738 citizens (87.9%) are recorded as ethnic [[Bulgarians]], 17,550 (1.5%) as [[Romani people in Bulgaria|Romani]], 6,149 (0.5%) as [[Turks in Bulgaria|Turks]], 9,569 (0.8%) belonged to other ethnic groups, 6,993 (0.6%) do not self-identify and 105,762 (8.8%) remained with undeclared affiliation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population|url=http://www.nsi.bg/census2011/pagebg2.php?p2=175&sp2=190|website=nsi.bg|publisher=[[National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria]], 2011|access-date=12 February 2016|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170703/http://www.nsi.bg/census2011/pagebg2.php?p2=175&sp2=190|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediapool.bg/show/?storyid=134487|title=Ромите са изолирани от бума в заетостта на Балканите|website=Mediapool.bg|date=11 December 2007 |access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=6 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706143153/http://www.mediapool.bg/show/?storyid=134487|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the 2011 census, throughout the whole municipality some 892,511 people (69.1%) are recorded as [[Eastern Orthodox]] Christians, 10,256 (0.8%) as [[Protestantism in Bulgaria|Protestant]], 6,767 (0.5%) as [[Islam in Bulgaria|Muslim]], 5,572 (0.4%) as [[Roman Catholicism in Bulgaria|Roman Catholic]], 4,010 (0.3%) belonged to other faith and 372,475 (28.8%) declared themselves [[irreligious]] or did not mention any faith. The data says that roughly a third of the total population have already earned a university degree. Of the population aged 15–64 – 265,248 people within the municipality (28.5%) are not economically active, the unemployed being another group of 55,553 people (6%), a large share of whom have completed higher education. The largest group are occupied in trading, followed by those in the [[manufacturing industry]]. Within the municipality, three-quarters, or 965,328 people are recorded as having access to television at home and 836,435 (64.8%) as having internet. Out of 464,865 homes – 432,847 have connection to the communal [[sanitary sewer]], while 2,732 do not have any. Of these 864 do not have any [[water supply]] and 688 have other than communal. Over 99.6% of males and females aged over 9 are recorded as [[literacy|literate]]. The largest group of the population aged over 20 are recorded to live within marriage (46.3%), another 43.8% are recorded as single and another 9.9% as having other type of coexistence/partnership, whereas not married in total are a majority and among people aged up to 40 and over 70. The people with juridical status divorced or [[widow]]ed are either part of the factual singles or those having another type of partnership, each of the two constitutes by around 10% of the population aged over 20. Only over 1% of the juridically married do not de facto live within marriage. The families that consist of two people are 46.8%, another 34.2% of the families are made up by three people, whereas most of the households (36.5%) consist of only one person.<ref name=book>{{cite book|title=2011 census, Sofia-capital |publisher=[[National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria]] |location=Sofia |page=37 40 43 68 71 74 99 117 132 190 193 196 |edition=23 |url=http://statlib.nsi.bg:8181/isisbgstat/ssp/fulltext.asp?content=/FullT/FulltOpen/P_22_2011_T3_KN23.pdf |year=2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215111319/http://statlib.nsi.bg:8181/isisbgstat/ssp/fulltext.asp?content=%2FFullT%2FFulltOpen%2FP_22_2011_T3_KN23.pdf |archive-date=15 February 2016 }}</ref>

Sofia was declared the national capital in 1879. One year later, in 1880, it was the fifth-largest city in the country after [[Plovdiv]], [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]], [[Ruse, Bulgaria|Ruse]] and [[Shumen]]. Plovdiv remained the most populous Bulgarian town until 1892 when Sofia took the lead. The city is the hot spot of internal migration, the capital population is increasing and is around 17% of the national,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsi.bg/en/node/13035|title=Population and Demographic Processes in 2014 (Final data) – National statistical institute|website=Nsi.bg|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115165503/http://www.nsi.bg/en/node/13035|url-status=live}}</ref> thus a small number of people with local roots remain today, they dominate the surrounding [[Districts of Sofia|rural suburbs]] and are called [[Shopi]]. Shopi speak the [[Bulgarian dialects|Western Bulgarian dialects]].<gallery mode="packed" caption="Religious buildings in Sofia">
File:"St. Alexander Nevsky" Cathedral - Храм "Свети Александър Невски" - panoramio - kuchin ster.jpg|[[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]]
File:Bulgaria Bulgaria-0546 - Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker (7390227698).jpg|[[Russian Church, Sofia|Russian Church]]
File:Catholic cathedral Sofia.jpg|[[Cathedral of St Joseph, Sofia|Cathedral of St Joseph]]
File:Софийска синагога (14113510160).jpg|[[Sofia Synagogue]]
File:05158-Sofia (8269331286).jpg|[[Banya Bashi Mosque]]
</gallery>

==Economy==
[[File:Bulgarian National Bank - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Bulgarian National Bank]] headquarters]]
Sofia is ranked as Beta- [[global city]] by the [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2020 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |website=GaWC - Research Network |publisher=Globalization and World Cities |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824031341/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the economic hub of Bulgaria and home to most major Bulgarian and international companies operating in the country, as well as the [[Bulgarian National Bank]] and the [[Bulgarian Stock Exchange – Sofia|Bulgarian Stock Exchange]]. The city is ranked 62nd among financial centres worldwide.<ref name=GFCI>{{cite web|url=https://www.longfinance.net/media/documents/GFCI_27_Full_Report_2020.03.26_v1.1_.pdf|title=The Global Financial Centres Index 27|date=March 2020|publisher=Long Finance|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328165551/https://www.longfinance.net/media/documents/GFCI_27_Full_Report_2020.03.26_v1.1_.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Sofia was ranked 30th out of 300 global cities in terms of combined growth in employment and real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the highest one amongst cities in Southeast Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wire.seenews.com/news/sofia-ranks-30th-in-gdp-capita-employment-growth-2013-2014-global-report-459718|title=Sofia ranks 30th in GDP/capita, employment growth 2013–2014 global report|publisher=seenews.com|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-date=21 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621101427/http://wire.seenews.com/news/sofia-ranks-30th-in-gdp-capita-employment-growth-2013-2014-global-report-459718|url-status=dead}}</ref> The real GDP (PPP) per capita growth at the time was 2.5% and the employment went up by 3.4% to 962,400.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Reports/2015/01/22-global-metro-monitor/bmpp_GMM_final.pdf?la=en|title=Global Metro Monitor An Uncertain recovery|website=brookings.edu|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142556/http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Reports/2015/01/22-global-metro-monitor/bmpp_GMM_final.pdf?la=en|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, [[Forbes]] listed Sofia as one of the top 10 places in the world to launch a [[Startup company|startup business]], because of the low corporate tax (10%), the fast internet connection speeds available – one of the fastest in the world, and the presence of several investment funds, including Eleven Startup Accelerator, LAUNCHub and Neveq.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/amyguttman/2015/11/29/top-10-cities-in-the-world-to-launch-your-startup-some-may-surprise-you/3/#7b7d29e390fa |title=10 Top Cities Around The World To Launch Your Startup |magazine=Forbes |date=29 November 2015 |access-date=13 March 2016 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314060404/http://www.forbes.com/sites/amyguttman/2015/11/29/top-10-cities-in-the-world-to-launch-your-startup-some-may-surprise-you/3/#7b7d29e390fa |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Business Park Sofia view 2.jpg|thumb|[[Business Park Sofia]]]]

The city's GDP (PPS) per capita stood at €29,600 ($33,760) in 2015, one of the highest in Southeast Europe and well above other cities in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/RSI/#?vis=nuts3.economy&lang=en |title=Regional gross domestic product (PPS per inhabitant at current market prices), by NUTS 3 regions |publisher=Eurostat |access-date=12 March 2017 |archive-date=11 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411093728/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/RSI/#?vis=nuts3.economy&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The total nominal GDP in 2018 was 38.5&nbsp;billion leva ($22.4&nbsp;billion), or 33,437 leva ($19,454) per capita,<ref name="nsi1">{{cite web|url=https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/5493/gdp-regions|title=GDP by Economic Sector and Region|publisher=National Statistical Institute|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716212039/https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/5493/gdp-regions|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn|Sofia|2016|page=64}} and average monthly wages in March 2020 were $1,071, the highest nationally.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nsi.bg/en/content/6412/statistical-regions-district |title=Average monthly wages and salaries of the employees under labour contract by statistical regions and districts |publisher=National Statistical Institute |access-date=14 July 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607204206/https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/6412/statistical-regions-district |url-status=live }}</ref> Services dominate the economy, accounting for 88.6% of the [[gross value added]], followed by industry 11.3% and agriculture 0.1%.<ref name="nsi1"/>{{Sfn|Sofia|2016|page=72}}
[[File:Serdica Center, a shopping mall in Sofia 2012 PD 10.jpg|thumb|[[Serdika Center Sofia]]]]
Historically, after World War II and the era of industrialisation under socialism, the city and its surrounding areas expanded rapidly and became the most heavily industrialised region of the country, with numerous factories producing steel, pig iron, machinery, industrial equipment, electronics, trams, chemicals, textiles, and food.<ref name="Face">{{cite web|url=http://sofiaecho.com/2004/09/16/631302_the-capitals-changing-face|title=Kapital Quarterly|website=Sofiaecho.com|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610061024/http://sofiaecho.com/2004/09/16/631302_the-capitals-changing-face|url-status=live}}</ref> The influx of workers from other parts of the country became so intense that a restriction policy was imposed, and residing in the capital was only possible after obtaining Sofianite citizenship.<ref name="Face"/> However, after the political changes in 1989, this kind of citizenship was removed.

The most dynamic sectors include [[Information technology]] (IT) and manufacturing. Sofia is a regional IT hub, ranking second among the Top 10 fastest growing tech centers in Europe in terms of annual growth of active members.<ref name="IS IT">{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/it-industry/|title=IT Sector in Sofia|publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714221146/https://investsofia.com/en/it-industry/|url-status=live}}</ref> The sector employs about 50,000 professionals, 30% of them involved in programming, and contributes for 14% of the city's exports.<ref name="IS IT"/> The IT sector is highly diverse and includes both multinational corporations, local companies and startups. Multinationals with major research, development, innovation and engineering centers in Sofia include the second largest global IT center of [[Coca-Cola]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/coca-cola-opens-its-2nd-largest-globally-it-center-in-sofia-2/|title=Coca-Cola Opens Its 2nd Largest Globally IT Center in Sofia|date=9 June 2018 |publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716191617/https://investsofia.com/en/coca-cola-opens-its-2nd-largest-globally-it-center-in-sofia-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ubisoft Sofia|Ubisoft]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ubisoft Sofia |url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/careers/locations/sofia |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=www.ubisoft.com |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815000035/https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/careers/locations/sofia |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hewlett-Packard]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesspark-sofia.com/en/page/55/tenantid/320|title=Hewlett-Packard Bulgaria|publisher=Business Park Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717051823/https://www.businesspark-sofia.com/en/page/55/tenantid/320|url-status=live}}</ref> [[VMware]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/vmware-invest-e23m-grow-site-sofia-1500-people/|title=VMware to invest €23M and Grow the Site in Sofia to over 1500 People|date=7 May 2019 |publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714221206/https://investsofia.com/en/vmware-invest-e23m-grow-site-sofia-1500-people/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Robert Bosch GmbH]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/bosch-group-officially-opened-new-office-sofia/|title=Bosch Group Officially Opened its New Office in Sofia|date=25 June 2019 |publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714150010/https://investsofia.com/en/bosch-group-officially-opened-new-office-sofia/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Financial Times]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/financial-times-expands-team-sofia/|title=Financial Times Expands Its Team in Sofia|date=2 July 2019 |publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714224947/https://investsofia.com/en/financial-times-expands-team-sofia/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Experian]], etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/software-company-experian-opened-new-office-building-sofia/|title=The Software Company Experian Opened its New Office Building in Sofia|date=8 June 2019 |publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714221212/https://investsofia.com/en/software-company-experian-opened-new-office-building-sofia/|url-status=live}}</ref> Several office and tech clusters have been established across the city, including [[Business Park Sofia]], Sofia Tech Park, [[Capital Fort]] and others.

Manufacturing has registered a strong recovery since 2012, increasing the exports three-fold and the employment by 52% accounting for over 70,000 jobs.<ref name="IS manufacturing">{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/manufacturing/|title=IT Manufacturing in Sofia|publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714224939/https://investsofia.com/en/manufacturing/|url-status=live}}</ref> Supported by the city's R&D expertise, Sofia is shifting to high value-added manufacturing including electrical equipment, precision mechanics, pharmaceuticals. There are 16 industrial and logistics parks in Sofia, some sprawling to towns in neighbouring [[Sofia Province]], such as [[Bozhurishte]], [[Kostinbrod]] and [[Elin Pelin (town)|Elin Pelin]].<ref name="IS manufacturing"/> Manufacturing companies include [[Woodward, Inc.]], producing airframe and industrial turbomachinery systems,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/american-control-system-solutions-manufacturer-woodward-opens-production-in-sofia/|title=American Control System Solutions Manufacturer Woodward Opens Production in Sofia|date=27 February 2017 |publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714221141/https://investsofia.com/en/american-control-system-solutions-manufacturer-woodward-opens-production-in-sofia/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Festo]], producing microsensors,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/festo-to-invest-25-6-mln-euro-in-a-new-production-unit-in-sofia/|title=Festo to Invest 25.6 mln. Euro in a New Production Unit in Sofia/|date=7 June 2018 |publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714152005/https://investsofia.com/en/festo-to-invest-25-6-mln-euro-in-a-new-production-unit-in-sofia/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Visteon]], development and engineering of instrument clusters, LCD displays and domain controllers,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visteon.bg/products/|title=Products|publisher=Visteon Electronics Bulgaria|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714140859/https://visteon.bg/products/|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Ill|Melexis|fr}}, producing micro-electronic semiconductor solutions in the automotive sector,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investsofia.com/en/bosch-group-officially-opened-new-office-sofia/|title=Melexis to Invest €75M to Expand Its Operations in Bulgaria|date=25 June 2019 |publisher=Invest Sofia|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714150010/https://investsofia.com/en/bosch-group-officially-opened-new-office-sofia/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sopharma, producing pharmaceuticals, the largest [[Lufthansa Technik]] maintenance facilities outside Germany etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sipagroup.com/en/lufthansa-technik-sofia-invests-30-mln-euro/|title=Lufthansa Technik Sofia invests 30 mln euro to expand its facilities|publisher=SIPA Group|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716173620/https://news.sipagroup.com/en/lufthansa-technik-sofia-invests-30-mln-euro/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transport and infrastructure==

With its developing infrastructure and strategic location, Sofia is a major hub for international railway and automobile transport. Three of the ten [[Pan-European corridors|Pan-European Transport Corridors]] cross the city: [[Pan-European Corridor IV|IV]], [[Pan-European Corridor VIII|VIII]], and [[Pan-European Corridor X|X]].<ref name="infrastructure">[http://www.sofia.bg/pressecentre/images/OPR1part-4.pdf Sofia infrastructure from the official website of the Municipality] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528144952/http://www.sofia.bg/pressecentre/images/OPR1part-4.pdf |date=28 May 2008 }} {{in lang|bg}}</ref> All major types of transport (except [[Maritime transport|water]]) are represented in the city.

[[File:21.04.10 Sofia 31005 (6168607167).jpg|thumb|A [[Siemens Desiro]] train of the Bulgarian State Railways at the Central Railway Station]]
[[File:Krasno Selo metrostation.jpg|thumb|[[Krasno Selo Metro Station]]]]
The [[Sofia Central Station|Central Railway Station]] is the primary hub for domestic and international rail transport, carried out by [[Bulgarian State Railways]] (BDZ), the national rail company headquartered in the city. It is one of the main stations along [[BDZ Line 1]], and a hub of Lines [[BDZ Line 2|2]], [[BDZ Line 5|5]], and [[BDZ Line 13|13]]. Line 1 provides a connection to [[Plovdiv]], the second-largest city in Bulgaria, while Line 2 is the longest national railway and connects Sofia and [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]], the largest coastal city. Lines 5 and 13 are shorter and provide connections to [[Kulata]] and [[Bankya]], respectively. Overall, Sofia has {{convert|186|km|mi|0|abbr=in}} of railway lines.<ref name="NSI regional">{{cite web|url=http://www.nsi.bg/regstaten.php?RST=44 |title=Sofia (capital) |publisher=National Statistical Institute regional statistics |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=17 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114022155/http://www.nsi.bg/regstaten.php?RST=44 |archive-date=14 November 2013 }}</ref>

[[Sofia Airport]] handled 7,208,987 passengers in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sofia-airport.bg/sites/default/files/en-passengers_2018-2019_12.pdf|publisher=Sofia Airport|title=Passengers 2018-2019|access-date=14 July 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609124255/https://www.sofia-airport.bg/sites/default/files/en-passengers_2018-2019_12.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Sofia Public Transport|Public transport]] is well-developed with [[Public buses in Sofia|bus]] ({{convert|2380|km|0|abbr=on}}),<ref name="bus">{{cite web |url=http://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/transport/istoriia-na-gradskiia-transport/59/istoriia-na-avtobusniia-transport |title=History of the bus network in Sofia |publisher=Sofiatraffic.bg |access-date=30 August 2012 |archive-date=27 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827065839/http://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/transport/istoriia-na-gradskiia-transport/59/istoriia-na-avtobusniia-transport |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Trams in Sofia|tram]] ({{convert|308|km|0|abbr=on}}),<ref name="tramway">{{cite web |url=http://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/transport/istoriia-na-gradskiia-transport/51/history-of-sofia-trams |title=History of the tramway network in Sofia |publisher=Sofiatraffic.bg |access-date=30 August 2012 |archive-date=30 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630001034/https://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/transport/istoriia-na-gradskiia-transport/51/history-of-sofia-trams |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Trolleybuses in Sofia|trolleybus]] ({{convert|193|km|0|abbr=on}})<ref name="trolleybuses">{{cite web |url=http://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/transport/istoriia-na-gradskiia-transport/56/history-of-trolleybus-transport |title=History of the trolleybus network in Sofia |publisher=Sofiatraffic.bg |date=14 February 1941 |access-date=30 August 2012 |archive-date=27 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827032920/http://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/transport/istoriia-na-gradskiia-transport/56/history-of-trolleybus-transport |url-status=live }})</ref> lines running in all areas of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sumc.bg/|title=Public transport Sofia&nbsp;— official website|publisher=sumc.bg|access-date=24 May 2008|language=bg|archive-date=29 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529145627/https://www.sofiatraffic.bg/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dak-transport.com/ |title=Transport Company Bulgaria— official website |publisher=dak-transport.com |access-date=21 August 2009 |language=bg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907131419/http://www.dak-transport.com/|archive-date=7 September 2009 }}</ref> The [[Sofia Metro]] became operational in January 1998 with only 5 stations and currently has four lines and 47 stations.<ref name="subway2">
{{cite web|url = http://bnt.bg/bg/news/view/83680/nov_lych_na_metroto|title = Българска национална телевизия – Новини (Bulgarian National Television – News)|publisher = bnt.bg|access-date  = 2 September 2012|language = bg|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120903000901/http://bnt.bg/bg/news/view/83680/nov_lych_na_metroto|archive-date = 3 September 2012|df = dmy-all}}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, the system has {{convert|52|km|0|abbr=on}} of track. Six new stations were opened in 2009, two more in April 2012, and eleven more in August 2012. In 2015 seven new stations were opened and the underground extended to [[Sofia Airport]] on its Northern branch and to [[Business Park Sofia]] on its Southern branch. In July 2016 the [[Vitosha Metro Station]] was opened on the M2 main line. A third line was opened in August 2020 and re-organisation of the previous lines lead to a 4th line being created.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metropolitan.bg/bg/trans/ |title=ОП Транспорт и разширение |publisher=Metropolitan.bg |access-date=2 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814060151/http://www.metropolitan.bg/bg/trans/ |archive-date=14 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This line will complete the proposed underground system of three lines with about {{convert|65|km|0|abbr=on}} of lines.<ref name="subway">{{cite web|url = http://www.metropolitan.bg/index_bg.html|title = Metropolitan Sofia Web Place|publisher = metropolitan.bg|access-date = 24 May 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081001173420/http://www.metropolitan.bg/index_bg.html|archive-date = 1 October 2008|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref> The master plan for the Sofia Metro includes three lines with a total of 63 stations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metropolitan.bg/en/progress/scheme/ |title=General Scheme |publisher=Metropolitan.bg |access-date=12 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514222128/http://www.metropolitan.bg/en/progress/scheme/ |archive-date=14 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Until the late 2010s route taxis ([[marshrutka]]) provided an efficient and popular [[Mode of transport|means of transport]] by being faster than public transport, but cheaper than taxis. Their use declined with the expansion of the metro and they were gradually phased out. There are around 13,000 [[Taxi|taxi cabs]] operating in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nftvb.com/sofia.htm|title=National Federation of the Taxi Drivers in Bulgaria. Regional Member Sofia|publisher=nftvb.com|access-date=24 May 2008|archive-date=2 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602152040/http://nftvb.com/sofia.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, all-[[electric vehicle]]s are available through [[carsharing]] company [[Spark (carsharing)|Spark]], which is set to increase its fleet to 300 cars by mid-2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/195763/Shared+Electric+Vehicles+Spark+in+Sofia+Increase+by+170|title=Shared Electric Vehicles Spark in Sofia Increase by 170|publisher=Novinite|date=13 March 2019|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329234359/https://www.novinite.com/articles/195763/Shared+Electric+Vehicles+Spark+in+Sofia+Increase+by+170|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Sofia (37536243674).jpg|thumb|left|Cherni Vrah Boulevard]]
Private automobile ownership has grown rapidly in the 1990s; more than 1,000,000 cars were registered in Sofia after 2002. The city has the 4th-highest number of automobiles per capita in the European Union at 546.4 vehicles per 1,000 people.<ref>Sofia in Figures, p.26</ref> The municipality was known for minor and cosmetic repairs and many streets are in a poor condition. This is noticeably changing in the past years. There are different boulevards and streets in the city with a higher amount of traffic than others. These include Tsarigradsko shose, Cherni Vrah, Bulgaria, Slivnitsa, and Todor Aleksandrov boulevards, as well as the city's ring road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnevnik.bg/show/?storyid=372682|title=Fines for bad repair work – 'Dnevnik' newspaper|publisher=dnevnik.bg|access-date=24 May 2008|archive-date=13 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113181856/http://www.dnevnik.bg/show/?storyid=372682|url-status=live}}</ref> Consequently, traffic and air pollution problems have become more severe and receive regular criticism in local media. The extension of the underground system is hoped to alleviate the city's immense traffic problems.

Sofia has an extensive [[Toplofikatsiya Sofia|district heating system]] that draws on four [[cogeneration|combined heat and power]] (CHP) plants and [[Heating plant|boiler stations]]. Virtually the entire city (900,000 households and 5,900 companies) is centrally heated, using residual heat from [[electricity generation]] (3,000 MW) and gas- and oil-fired heating furnaces; total [[Thermal mass|heat capacity]] is 4,640 MW. The heat distribution piping network is {{convert|900|km|0|abbr=on}} long and comprises 14,000 substations and 10,000 heated buildings.

==Education and science==
[[File:Sofia University.jpg|thumb|[[Sofia University]]]]
[[File:Bulgarian-Academy-of-Sciences 4.jpg|thumb|[[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]]]]
Much of Bulgaria's educational capacity is concentrated in Sofia. There are 221 general, 11 special and seven arts or sports schools, 56 vocational gymnasiums and colleges, and four independent colleges.{{Sfn|Sofia|2016|page=141}} The city also hosts 23 of Bulgaria's 51 higher education establishments and more than 105,000 university students.{{Sfn|Sofia|2016|page=148}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Register of Higher Schools in Bulgaria |url=http://rvu.mon.bg/ |work=Ministry of Education and Science |access-date=27 October 2018 |archive-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027021808/http://rvu.mon.bg/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[American College of Sofia]], a private secondary school with roots in a school founded by American missionaries in 1860, is among the oldest American educational institutions outside of the United States.<ref name="ACS">{{cite web|url=http://www.acs.bg/Home/About_ACS/History.aspx|title=History|work=acs.bg|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171647/https://www.acs.bg/Home/About_ACS/History.aspx|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A number of secondary language schools provide education in a selected foreign language. These include the [[First English Language School]], [[91st German Language School]], [[164 GPIE "Miguel de Cervantes"|164th Spanish Language School]], and the [[Lycée Français de Sofia|Lycée Français]]. These are among the most sought-after secondary schools, along with [[Vladislav the Grammarian 73rd Secondary School]] and the [[Sofia High School of Mathematics|High School of Mathematics]], which topped the 2018 preference list for high school candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://offnews.bg/obshtestvo/koi-sa-naj-zhelanite-gimnazii-v-sofia-i-koi-paralelki-ostanaha-prazni-683714.html|title=Кои са най-желаните гимназии в София и кои паралелки останаха празни|trans-title=Which high schools in Sofia are the most preferred|publisher=Offnews|date=3 July 2018|access-date=27 October 2018|archive-date=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027143230/https://offnews.bg/obshtestvo/koi-sa-naj-zhelanite-gimnazii-v-sofia-i-koi-paralelki-ostanaha-prazni-683714.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Higher education includes four of the five highest-ranking national universities – [[Sofia University]] (SU), the [[Technical University of Sofia]], [[New Bulgarian University]], and the [[Medical University of Sofia]].<ref name="Webometrics">{{cite web|url=http://www.webometrics.info/en/Europe/Bulgaria%20|title=Bulgarian universities|publisher=Webometrics Ranking of World Universities|access-date=17 February 2019|archive-date=12 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112161804/http://www.webometrics.info/en/Europe/Bulgaria|url-status=live}}</ref> Sofia University was founded in 1888.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/history/founding|title=Official website of the Sofia university&nbsp;— History|publisher=Sofia University|access-date=19 October 2013|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019225413/https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/history/founding|url-status=live}}</ref> More than 20,000 students<ref>{{cite web|url=http://akademika.bg/2013/06/%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%82-%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%82-%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%B4%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BB/|title=Sofia University aims to attract more foreign students|publisher=Akademika|date=14 June 2013|access-date=19 October 2013|language=bg|archive-date=20 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020070933/http://akademika.bg/2013/06/%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%82-%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%82-%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%B4%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BB/|url-status=live}}</ref> study in its 16 faculties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/faculties|title=University Faculties|publisher=Sofia University|access-date=19 October 2013|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019225427/https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/faculties|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of research and cultural departments operate within SU, including its own publishing house, [[botanical garden]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/independent_structures|title=Independent structures of SU|publisher=Sofia University|access-date=19 October 2013|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019225421/https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/independent_structures|url-status=live}}</ref> a space research centre, a [[quantum electronics]] department,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/faculties/faculty_of_physics2/structure|title=Faculty of Physics structure|publisher=Sofia University|access-date=19 October 2013|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019225408/https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/faculties/faculty_of_physics2/structure|url-status=live}}</ref> and a [[Confucius Institute]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/centres|title=University Centres|publisher=Sofia University|access-date=19 October 2013|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019225417/https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university/centres|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rakovski Defence and Staff College]], the [[National Academy of Arts]], the [[University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy]], the [[University of National and World Economy]], and the [[University of Mining and Geology]] are other major higher education establishments in the city.<ref name="Webometrics"/>

Other institutions of national significance, such as the [[Bulgarian Academy of Sciences]] (BAS) and the [[SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library]], are located in Sofia. BAS is the centrepiece of scientific research in Bulgaria, employing more than 4,500 scientists in various institutes. Its Institute of Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy will operate the largest [[cyclotron]] in the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/177075/Bulgaria%27s+Nuclear+Institute%3A+New+Cyclotron+To+Become+Operational+in+2+Years|title=Bulgaria's Nuclear Institute: New Cyclotron To Become Operational in 2 Years|newspaper=[[Novinite]]|date=27 October 2016|access-date=27 October 2018|archive-date=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027232043/https://www.novinite.com/articles/177075/Bulgaria%27s+Nuclear+Institute%3A+New+Cyclotron+To+Become+Operational+in+2+Years|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msb.bg/en/projects/|title=MSB – Projects|website=www.msb.bg|access-date=27 October 2018|archive-date=28 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033729/http://www.msb.bg/en/projects/|url-status=live}}</ref> All five of Bulgaria's [[supercomputer]]s and supercomputing clusters are located in Sofia as well. Three of those are operated by the BAS; one by [[Sofia Tech Park]] and one by the Faculty of Physics at Sofia University.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.capital.bg/biznes/tehnologii_i_nauka/2018/06/22/3203630_shum_tok_i_superkompjutri/|title=Малката изчислителна армия на България|trans-title=Bulgaria's small computing army|publisher=Kapital Daily|first=Yoan|last=Zapryanov|date=22 June 2018|access-date=15 July 2018|language=bg|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117174209/https://www.capital.bg/biznes/tehnologii_i_nauka/2018/06/22/3203630_shum_tok_i_superkompjutri/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==International relations==
===Twin towns – sister cities===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Bulgaria}}
Sofia is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|ALG}} [[Algiers]], Algeria<ref>{{cite web|title=Градина "Алжир" – София|url=https://opoznai.bg/view/gradina-aljir-sofiia|website=opoznai.bg|language=bg|date=2015-06-19|access-date=2021-05-19|archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519063528/https://opoznai.bg/view/gradina-aljir-sofiia|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|JOR}} [[Amman]], Jordan<ref>{{cite web|title=Н. пр. д-р Хасан Бармауи, почетен консул на кралство Йордания в България, пред "Труд": Йордания е врата за България към Близкия Изток|url=https://trud.bg/%D0%BD-%D0%BF%D1%80-%D0%B4-%D1%80-%D1%85%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BD-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%83%D0%BB-%D0%BD/|website=trud.bg|publisher=Trud|language=bg|date=2020-02-25|access-date=2021-05-19|archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519063535/https://trud.bg/%D0%BD-%D0%BF%D1%80-%D0%B4-%D1%80-%D1%85%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BD-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%83%D0%BB-%D0%BD/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Ankara]], Turkey<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Cities of Ankara|url=https://www.ankara.bel.tr/en/foreign-relations-department/sister-cities-of-ankara|website=ankara.bel.tr|publisher=Ankara|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=28 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428004055/https://www.ankara.bel.tr/en/foreign-relations-department/sister-cities-of-ankara|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Bucharest]], Romania<ref>{{cite web |url=http://adevarul.ro/news/bucuresti/cu-infratit-bucurestiult-1_50bdf86b7c42d5a663d0ec3e/index.html |title=Cu cine este înfrățit Bucureștiul? |work=[[Adevărul]] |date=21 February 2011 |language=ro |access-date=18 November 2019 |archive-date=18 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118035638/https://adevarul.ro/news/bucuresti/cu-infratit-bucurestiult-1_50bdf86b7c42d5a663d0ec3e/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|QAT}} [[Doha]], Qatar<ref>{{cite web|title=HE Prime Minister Presides Over Cabinet Regular Meeting|url=https://pressarabia.qa/2012/11/28/he-prime-minister-presides-over-cabinet-regular-meeting/|website=pressarabia.qa|publisher=Press Arabia|date=2012-11-28|access-date=2021-05-19|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018220305/https://pressarabia.qa/2012/11/28/he-prime-minister-presides-over-cabinet-regular-meeting/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Kyiv]], Ukraine<ref>{{cite web|title=Перелік міст, з якими Києвом підписані документи про поріднення, дружбу, співробітництво, партнерство|url=https://old.kyivcity.gov.ua/files/2018/2/15/Mista-pobratymy.pdf|website=kyivcity.gov.ua|publisher=Kyiv|language=uk|date=2018-02-15|access-date=2021-05-19|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128062444/https://old.kyivcity.gov.ua/files/2018/2/15/Mista-pobratymy.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Pittsburgh]], United States<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Sister Cities|url=https://www.sistercitiespgh.org/sister-cities|website=sistercitiespgh.org|publisher=Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh|access-date=2021-05-19|archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519061309/https://www.sistercitiespgh.org/sister-cities|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|OMA}} [[Salalah]], Oman{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Shanghai]], China<ref>{{cite web|title=Sofia, Shanghai to become sister cities|url=https://www.bnr.bg/en/post/100629260/sofia-shanghai-to-become-twin-cities|website=bnr.bg|publisher=BNR Radio Bulgaria|date=23 November 2015|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227193331/https://www.bnr.bg/en/post/100629260/sofia-shanghai-to-become-twin-cities|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|LBN}} [[Sidon]], Lebanon{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
*{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Tel Aviv]], Israel<ref>{{cite web|title=ערים שותפות|url=https://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/About/Pages/Partnerships.aspx|website=tel-aviv.gov.il|publisher=Tel Aviv|language=he|access-date=2021-05-19|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171118182155/https://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/About/Pages/Partnerships.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Tbilisi]], Georgia{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}
{{div col end}}

===Cooperation agreements===
In addition Sofia cooperates with:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|HUN}} [[Budapest]], Hungary<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bta.bg/en/c/DF/id/1561702|title=Sofia, Budapest to Cooperate in Culture, Tourism, Economy|access-date=11 May 2018|language=en-EN|archive-date=11 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511214903/http://www.bta.bg/en/c/DF/id/1561702|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Paris]], France<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paris.fr/english/paris-a-city-with-an-international-profile/international-action-cooperation/friendship-and-cooperation-agreements/rub_8139_stand_29940_port_18784|title=Friendship and cooperation agreements|publisher=Paris.fr|access-date=12 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015042144/http://www.paris.fr/english/paris-a-city-with-an-international-profile/international-action-cooperation/friendship-and-cooperation-agreements/rub_8139_stand_29940_port_18784|archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|POR}} [[Lisbon]], Portugal<ref name=lisbon>{{cite web|title=Acordos de geminação, de cooperação e de amizade|url=http://www.cm-lisboa.pt/municipio/relacoes-internacionais|website=cm-lisboa.pt|publisher=Lisboa|language=pt|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=31 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031202617/http://www.cm-lisboa.pt/municipio/relacoes-internacionais|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|SPA}} [[Madrid]], Spain<ref>{{cite web|title=Agreements with cities|url=https://www.madrid.es/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=76957c275129a310VgnVCM2000000c205a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=ce069e242ab26010VgnVCM100000dc0ca8c0RCRD&vgnextfmt=default&idCapitulo=7182437|website=madrid.es|publisher=Madrid|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610162129/https://www.madrid.es/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=76957c275129a310VgnVCM2000000c205a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=ce069e242ab26010VgnVCM100000dc0ca8c0RCRD&vgnextfmt=default&idCapitulo=7182437|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|ARM}} [[Yerevan]], Armenia<ref>{{cite web|title=Partner cities|url=https://www.yerevan.am/en/partner/partner-cities/|website=yerevan.am|publisher=Yerevan|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819225714/https://www.yerevan.am/en/partner/partner-cities/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Honour==
[[Serdica Peak]] on [[Livingston Island]], in the [[South Shetland Islands]], [[Antarctica]], is named after Serdica.

==Mass Media==
===Public===
*[[Bulgarian News Agency]] (1898)
*[[Bulgarian National Radio]] (1935)
*[[Bulgarian National Television]] (1959)

===Private===
*[[Nova Broadcasting Group]] (1994)
*[[bTV Media Group]] (2000)

==See also==
{{Portal|Europe|European Union|Bulgaria}}
* [[List of churches in Sofia]]
* [[List of shopping malls in Sofia]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Sofia]]
* [[Sofia Province]]
* [[Monument to the Tsar Liberator]]
{{clear right}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite web |ref={{harvid|NSI|2016}}|url=http://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/publications/SOFIA_2015.pdf|title=Sofia in Figures|publisher=National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria|access-date=26 October 2018|language=bg, en|date=2016}}
* {{cite book
 | title = История на средновековна България VII–XIV век 
 | trans-title = History of Medieval Bulgaria VII–XIV centuries
 | last1 = Bozhilov
 | first1 = Ivan
 | first2 = Vasil
 | last2 = Gyuzelev
 | author-link2=Vasil Gyuzelev
 | year = 1999
 | language = bg
 | publisher = Анубис
 | location =Sofia
 | isbn = 954-426-204-0
 }}
* {{cite book
 | title = София – от древността до нови времена
 | trans-title = Sofia – from Antiquity to Modern Times
 | last = Stancheva
 | first = Magdalina
 | year = 2010
 | language = bg
 | publisher = New Bulgarian University
 | location =Sofia
 | isbn = 978-954-535-579-0
 }}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal|last=Gigova|first=Irina|title=The City and the Nation: Sofia's Trajectory from Glory to Rubble in WWII|journal=Journal of Urban History|date=March 2011 |volume=37 |issue=2|pages=155–175|doi=10.1177/0096144210391612|s2cid=144022049}}The 110 footnotes provide a guide to the literature on the city
* {{cite web|url=http://sofia.bg/en/Sofia_in_Figures2009.pdf |title=Sofia in Figures 2009 |publisher=Regional Statistical Office of Sofia |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011205615/http://sofia.bg/en/Sofia_in_Figures2009.pdf |archive-date=11 October 2011 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.alphabank.bg/130 |title=Sofia&nbsp;— 130 Years Capital |language=bg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110128155857/http://www.alphabank.bg/130/ |archive-date=28 January 2011 }}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=Sofia}}
*{{Official website|https://www.sofia.bg/en/web/sofia-municipality/}}
* [http://www.inyourpocket.com/Bulgaria/Sofia/ Online guide to Sofia]
* [http://www.sumc.bg/en/ Official Site of Sofia Public Transport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525132226/http://www.sumc.bg/en/ |date=25 May 2010 }}
* [http://www.stara-sofia.com/ Archival images of Sofia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064732/http://www.slideshare.net/fullscreen/johnpaull/sofia-by-night-light-a-photographic-exhibition-by-john-paull Sofia by Night Light: A Photographic Exhibition]
* [http://www.ulpiaserdica.com/index_en.html Virtual Guide to Ancient Serdica]
* [http://weather-webcam.eu/all-cams-from-sofia-vsicki-online-kameri-ot-sofia-bg-karta More than 25 live webcams from Sofia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120712182039/http://www.world-nomad.com/vitosha-peak/ Pictures from Vitosha mountain]

{{Cities in Bulgaria}}
{{Capitals of Bulgaria}}
{{Provinces of Bulgaria}}
{{Capital cities of the European Union}}
{{List of European capitals by region}}
{{European Capital of Sport}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sofia| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Populated places in Sofia City Province]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:Roman towns and cities in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Dacia Mediterranea]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 7th millennium BC]]