Sofia, the ‘wise woman’, has since 1879 been the capital of the new Bulgaria and is a city whose roots date back to the fifth century B.C. Once Thracians settled in the city followed by Romans, Goths, Huns and Ottomans. In the fourteenth century the city was named after its patron saint, the Goddess Of Wisdom.

Today’s Sofia originated at the end of the nineteenth century. At that time the city’s appearance changed from one of Oriental, to European, when Neo-classical buildings and tall civic houses replaced the low-built Ottoman constructions as well as Communist building megalomania!

Sofia is a popular city and knows how to captivate its visitors. Its historic city centre features the most splendid sacred building in the Balkan Peninsula of the twentieth century, the Aleksandâr Nevski Cathedral, a huge structure that dominates the highest point of the city.

At the entrance to the president’s palace, the changing of the guards ceremony is a popular attraction. Dressed in red-white parade uniforms with lace jackets and feathered hats that date back to the nineteenth century, the soldiers goose-step a pre-determined route.

The transformation of Sofia into a lively, cosmopolitan capital has succeeded well with history and tradition still very much in evidence. Young, modern and exciting with all the flair of the mystical Balkans!