General information
Area: 7,059 sq. km
Population: 273,240
Municipalities: Malina, Dolna Banya, Dragoman, Elin Pelin, Etropole, Zlatiza,
Ihtiman, Koprivshtitza, Kostenetz, Kostinbrod, Mirkovo, Pirdop,
Pravetz, Samokov, Svoge, Slivnitza, Chavdar, Chelopech
Regional center: Sofia
Sofia Region is situated in the central part of Western Bulgaria and on the territory of Ljulin, Vitosha, Plana and Lozenska mountains as well as the southern slopes of western Stara Planina Mountain (Western Bulgaria). The largest area of the region is in Sofia pan (about 1300 km2). The average altitude of the pan is about 550 m. On the territory of Sofia pan the rural and urban areas cover 245.5 sq.km, the agricultural land covers an area of 509 sq.km, 466.5 sq.km – forests, and 40 sq.km – watercourses and water bodies. It is bounded by the regions of Sofia City, Montana, Vratza, Lovech, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pernik and west – by Serbia. The region has a varied relief. It encompasses some parts of the western Balkans, the proper and Ihtiman Sredna Gora Mountains, the Rila Mountains (with the highest peak – Mount Musala, 2925 m), the Verila and Plana Mountains, as well as parts of the kettles of Sofia, Samokov, Ihtiman, Zlatiza and Pirdop, Botevgrad, where are located many holiday rentals in Bulgaria. The area of interest has an important infrastructure position. The roads connecting Western and Central Europe with the near and the Middle East pass through it as well as the roads connecting North and East Europe with the Mediterranean. Many rivers cross the region, the largest of which are the Iskar, Maritza, Topolnitza and Nishava Rivers. There are mineral springs near the towns of Kostenetz, Dolna Banya and in the vicinity of the villages of Belchin and Pchelin. The Belgrade–Sofia–Istanbul international railroad as well as the Sofia–Varna and Sofia–Burgas national railroads and Thrace (Trakia) and Hemus highways cross the territory of the region. The defile of the Iskar River and the mountain passes of Petrohan and Vitinya link Northern and Southern Bulgaria. The favorable natural conditions allow the development of the holiday resort, sports and tourist sectors. Borovetz Resort is an international skiing center; Iskretz, Kostenetz and Dolna Banya are climatic resorts and the villages in the Iskar defile are villa areas - the above destinations offer wonderful countryside holiday rentals in Bulgaria. A recreation and sports complex with golf grounds, stables and sports facilities are built near Ihtiman, about 50 km away from Sofia. There are more than 300 protected sites and natural landmarks in Sofia Region – such as the reserves of Marichini Lakes, waterfalls Skaklia, Skakavitza, Sini Vir, Kostenetz, etc. The woods in the vicinity of Chepan and at the foot of Mount Kom are suitable for tourism and hunting and the courses of the Nishava River and the mountain rivulets and water basins are appropriate for sports fishing. Vantages of human life dated to the late Paleolithic Age have been found in Sofia Region (in the caves near Lakatnik). There are remains of Roman roadside stations left in the area of Dragoman, Ihtiman, Vakarel, etc. and some remnants of medieval settlements – near Ihtiman and Kostinbrod. Koprivshtitza, Samokov. The Etropole Monastery was a major literary center during the National Revival period. At the end of the 18th century the Samokov Art School thrived.
History
The Republic of Bulgaria is separated into regions. Each one of them represents an administrative - territorial unit which serves for implementation of regional policy, accomplishment of state government and provision of correspondence between the local and national interests. The number of regions equals to 28 and one of them is the Region of Sofia. Its area amounts up to 1345 square km. and includes 4 towns and 34 villages. The population is about 1 211 531 people /representing about 18% of the population of the country/ including: the City of Sofia - 1 133 183 people; Novi Iskar - 14 043 people; Bankia - 8 870 people; Buhovo - 3 267 people, as well as 34 villages with total population 52 268 people /4.3%/. The territory of the region is separated into 24 administrative sub-regions, in compliance with the Law for administrative territorial division of Bulgaria. In regard with the territorial range it is identical with the Capital Region with administrative centre the City of Sofia, which is the capital of Bulgaria and serves as the greatest political, economic and cultural centre.
Sofia is a city with a 7000-year history, which makes it a unique phenomenon in Europe, and places it among the settlements dating from archaic ages. To this very day excavations in Sofia downtown bring up objects of Neolithic man, remnants of the Stone and Bronze Era. The reason why the settlements arose so early is the abundance of thermal springs in Sofia Plain. They cluster mainly around today’s city center – near the old-times mineral baths, near the Presidency Building, in the Lozenats Quarter, And in Gorna Banya and Knyazhevo Quarters. The water temperature varies from 21C and 42C to they are curative, because of the significant amount of ions mineral salts dissolved in them.
The first known tribes to settle in the plain were the Thracians from the tribe of Serdi. They gave Sofia’s first name - Serdica.
Around 500 BC another tribe settled here, the Odrissi, known as an ethos having a kingdom of their own. For a short period during the 4th BC the city was in the possession of Phillip of Macedonia and of his son Alexander the Great. As late as in the year 29 AD Sofia was conquered by the roman legions and during the reign of Emperor Trayan (98-117) became an administrative centre. It was given the name of Ulpia Serdica as a municipium, i.e. an administrative centre. Construction on the territory of the city intensified – turrets, protective walls, public baths, administrative and cult buildings, a civic basilica and a large amphitheatre, called bulevterion were built. In the 2nd century AD Sofia became a centre of the Lower Dacia Province. It subsequently expanded for a century and a half, so that Constantine the Great came to call it “my Rome“. The city was of moderate size, but magnificent as an urban concept of planning and architecture, abundant in amusements and of active social life. The city flourished during the reign of Emperor Justinian when it was surrounded by great fortress walls, remains of which can be seen even today.
Fully preserved and well restored now is the Roman Rotunda, transformed into the Early Christian Church of St. George it now stands behind the Sheraton Hotel. Attila took the city by storm in the 5th century. After his death the Byzantine Empire recovered it. It remained part of the Eastern Roman till early 9th century AD.
When the kingdom of Danubian Bulgaria was founded in 681 AD, many Bulgarian khans coveted Serdika. But it was only in the year 809 that khan Kroum succeeded in conquering and including it in the Bulgarian territory. The new name of the city was changed to Sredets, which in the parlance of that time meant “middle, central part, centre“. Actually its location gave it all grounds to be considered the centre of the Balkan Peninsula. The city existed until the year 1081 AD when Bulgarian lands fell under Byzantine rule and it was renamed Tryiaditsa, which meant “ between mountains “. After 1194 the city regained its former name. The city was repeatedly besieged and attacked by Magyars, Serbs and Crusaders. After the liberation of Bulgaria from Byzantine rule it was re-included in the territories of the country. St. Sofia Church, which stands to this day next to St. Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, gave the city its present-day name. Sofia quickly expanded and became a centre of crafts and trade. New buildings and numerous churches were built in the city and the neighboring villages, the best known of these is Boyana church. Sofia fell under Ottoman rule in 1382. In some documents of that time the city was described as a place of particular charm, which evoked the admiration of conquerors. Irrespective of that, The Turkish authorities’ neglect rapidly changed the appearance of the city. Christian churches derelict and started ruining, while Turkish administration buildings, mosques, public baths and covered markets rose in their place. The five centuries of Ottoman rule changed Sofia beyond recognition. Only recent excavations open to the world the true picture of the city such as it was during its eventful history along the centuries. Few buildings of the Ottoman period are preserved today. The Turkish administration recognized the advantageous location of Sofia as a crossroad and important centre of Balkan Peninsula, and the city’s development as crafts and market centre was promoted. During the 17th century it grew into the largest marketplace of the Balkans, and in the 18th century a stone-paved road linked it with Europe and Asia Minor. During the 19th century the first railway crossing the Balkans reached Sofia as part of the famous Orient Express. Sofia became the administrative centre of a sandzhak, large administrative unit of key importance to the Ottoman Empire. After Serbia was liberated in the 19th century, Sofia Sandzhak remained on the border. The city was repeatedly attacked and plundered by kurdzalii (Turkish brigands), who periodically devastated its surrounding settlements. During the Bulgarian Revival and the struggle for liberation, The Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski considered Sofia as one of the centres of a future uprising and created revolutionary committees in the city. By an irony of the fate, after his arrest he was brought to Sofia, where he was sentenced and hanged in 1873. Sofia was liberated from the Ottoman rule on 4th January 1878. At the time the city had the population of only 12 000, but its favourable strategic location made it suitable for a capital and on the 4th of April 1879 Sofia was proclaimed the capital city of the Principality of Bulgaria. In a couple of years the population increased nearly tenfold, the outlook of the city radically changed; the Turkish soukatsi( narrow muddy streets) were supplanted by paved and planned streets, administrative buildings, churches, and schools were erected public gardens laid out, a modern sewerage and water-supply system was installed, and so were telegraph and telephone lines. Sofia took on the appearance of a European city offering holiday rentals in Bulgaria, although numerous features of the East remained. During the 20-es of the 20th century Sofia acquired a more European outlook. It developed into a truly modern city of unique charm during the reign of Tsar Boris III, when the construction of houses and the buildings in modern, Art Nouveau (Secession), Bauhaus, Neo-Classicism and European Eclecticism styles flourished. Today the centre of Sofia and the quarter between Lulov Most (Lions’ Bridge) and the Sheraton Hotel abound in buildings from the first half of the 20th century. The small streets and gas-burning street lights were preserved until nearly World War II. US planes bombed the city during the war, causing some damage of the downtown area. At that time Bulgaria was an ally of Nazi Germany. During 30-es and 40-es Sofia became the scene of workers’ strikes, political rallies and demonstrations but also a prominent centre of culture, science and arts.
Changes in the political life in the wake of 9th of September 1944 reflected strongly on the outlook of Sofia. Buildings in urbanistic and Stalinist style were constructed, the most prominent of which is the central complex consisting of the Communist party Building, Balkan Hotel and TZUM central Department Store. Today the Building of Balkan Hotel now houses one of the well - known chain of Sheraton Hotels. The presidency of the country occupies its adjoining building. TZUM has been radically refurnished, and the adjacent building houses the Ministerial Council. The building of the former royal palace houses the exposition of the National Art Gallery. Sofia has become the country’s leading industrial centre, with one sixth of the industry of Bulgaria concentrated around it, and housing one eight of the population, the country’s political and cultural elite, the entire state capitol.
Nowadays Sofia is a very placid place to live in. Changes in its appearance are imminent. Restitution is under way, old buildings are returned to their owners, new buildings and shops emerge, private companies establish themselves on the market. The city is in constant flux, under way is gradual restoration of its intransient and architectural monuments, which make it a typically European city with ancient culture, impressive present and bright future.
Infrastructure
Sofia is a big transport centre with developed infrastructure. Here are crossing roads from West Europe to Istanbul, from the Black Sea to the Adriatic, from the Danube to the Aegean. The major high-roads towards Sofia are coming from the west /Kalotina and Dragoman/; from the north through Vitinia, the Iskar defile and the Petrohan passage Sofia is connected with the north part of the country; from east through Galabetz - with the Balkan fields and the Black Sea coast; at south-west, through Vladiisko defile towards Blagoevgrad and the valley of Struma. An important characteristic of the capital proves to be its high transport - communication accessibility in comparison to the rest regions of the country in national great advantage for the investors in holiday rentals in Bulgaria, regional and local aspect. It is determined by the concentration of point- and linear communications possessing local, regional and international importance. The capacity of the created phone centrals equals to 18% of the total for the country and the number of the phone posts - 20%. The phone density is two times higher than the average, which is due to the highest concentration of modern communication and information equipment, nevertheless Sofia is far behind the development of the other big capital cities in Europe. Because of its position as a major communication centre and due to its well - developed connections for inter - regional exchange, the Region of Sofia has great opportunity for formation of influence upon the exchange of goods and services in the whole country. In such a way, it has an effect upon the production of goods and services, as long as the great part of it find place at the Sofia market, which proves to show the highest rate of search in the country, the reason being the concentration of population and its comparatively higher income. The influence in regional aspect related to the realization of goods and services on the market creates the need of development of modern trade- and communication infrastructure situated out of the territory of the main city.
TRANSPORT
The transport - communication system of Region Sofia is formed by the historical development of the city and its location as international cross-road of the trans-continental and regional links. The basic links connecting the region with the country are implemented by means of first-class roads I-8 /E-80/; I-1 /E-79/; I-6 /E-770/; as well as A-1 /"Trakia"/ and A-2 /"Hemus"/. They are connected by means of Ring-road /II-18/, which combines II-16, II-81, II-82 and 3rd and 4th class roads. Sofia serves as a unique cross-road of four world transport corridors. This is the place where the following world transport directions cross: Triple continental diagonal high-road North/West - South/East /London - Budapest - Sofia - Istanbul - Calcutta - Melbourne/; Meridian Euro-African high-road /Helsinki - Moscow - Sofia - Thessalonica - Cairo - Cape town/; Diagonal Euro - African high-road /Tunis - Duress - Sofia - Bucharest - Odessa - Omsk/; Forming transport corridor around the 40th parallel from the Caspian Sea - Black Sea - Adriatic Sea /Poti - Varna - Sofia - Skopje - Duress/
In Sofia, three of the trans-European transport corridors are being crossed:
Corridor No.4 /Budapest - Vidin - Sofia - Thessalonica - Istanbul/;
Corridor No.8 /Duress - Skopje - Sofia - Bourgas - Varna/;
Corridor No.10 /Belgrade - Sofia - Plovdiv - Istanbul/;
Great significance for the city of Sofia has the European transport corridor Adriatic - Black Sea. It will provide fast and easy connection of South Russia and the Kawkaz Region, therefore of Central Asia, Italy and the southern part of the European Union. The corridor possesses great opportunities to develop in the form of a rail-way and communication one.
The Euro-corridor London - Calcutta in his part Budapest - Belgrade - Sofia - Istanbul is the shortest and the most convenient passage from West Europe to the Near and Middle East.
Sofia is the real urban, geographical, transport centre of the Balkans, which is an objective basis for future city development as a major center not only in the country but as well as in the region of South-eastern Europe.
STREET NETWORK
The total length of the main street network of Sofia is about 428 km. /the entire street network equals to 3400 km/. 2nd class streets /urban high- roads/, 3rd class /regional arteries/, 4th class /main streets/ are included. The street arteries take 5.2% of the territory. The structure is circle - radial. The second-grade network includes streets from 5th and 6th class serving the residential zones and taking the traffic to higher-class streets. In the central part of the city the street network is orthogonal and part of the road is used for parking. Because of the increasing usage of vehicles, the parking problem becomes more serious, which leads to the building of multi-floored garages. On the territory of the Region Sofia, there are 8 bus-stations, serving bus-links of the Republican transport scheme. The number if the courses amount to 621 pairs.
Taking into consideration the future development of the available bus-stations on the territory of Sofia - situating, structuring, determination of the capacity etc., it is necessary to undertake measures for research, projecting and investment attraction for its creation and operation beginning.
RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE
Sofia has been declared as a rail-way transit centre with a strategic location. The pre-determined geographic cross-road position of the region includes two rail-way links of international significance: Pirot - Sofia - Plovdiv - Odrin; Thessalonica - Sofia - Rousse - Vidin/Varna. As a system of reacting elements, the railway infrastructure includes: between-station spaces - 39; stations - 27; depots and industrial rail-way branches that cover 60% of the load-flows from and to Sofia. Viewing the perspectives for high-speed traffic, it is necessary to estimate the international railway transport from and to Sofia. Under the current organization they include the following directions: Nish/Skopje - Belgrade - Bucharest - Wien/Munich/Berlin/Warsaw; Thessalonica/ Athens; Bucharest - Moscow;
AIR TRANSPORT
Main object, situated near Sofia, at the site of the cross-road of the three of the pan-European transport corridors, is the Sofia air-port. The air-port links are provided by the "Christopher Columbus" Ave. and the road of the Eastern tangent. The public transport uses bus 84. At the moment the air traffic has mainly international nature, servicing as well the tourist going to the lodge in holiday rentals in Bulgaria. The internal transport serving regular inner links are accomplished in direction Sofia - Varna - Sofia and Sofia - Bourgas - Sofia. The length of the run-way is 2800m; the width is 45m; covered with concrete. There are 7 regulation paths, 14-22m wide, also covered with concrete. This makes the reconstruction of the air-port and the building of a modern air-complex extremely necessary.
MASS PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The public transport plays main role in the transportation. The four basic systems - tram, bus, trolley-bus and underground form the system that serves 79% of the transportation. The tram transport on the territory of Sofia is presented by 4 tram depots and tram network with length 250km. /90km have been doubled/. The served routes are 16. In the rush-hours, the number of the tram-cars is 250, their total number being 402. The trolley-bus transport includes two depots. The contact network has length of 93 km. and serves 10 routes. The bus transport has 4 garages. The total number of the vehicles is 1236. In the rush-hours, the number of the moving buses is 672. The underground is functioning to the 7th metro-station of the 1st metro-diameter. The 2nd one is in process of building. The labor-trips form the rush-hours. There are morning /7-9a.m./ and afternoon peak-hour. At about 7.50 o'clock, 45% of the users of public transport are on their way. The afternoon peak is formed not only by labor-trips.
Economy
The economy of Sofia is multi-specialized, with superiority of the heavy industry. Here is concentrated 74% of the production capacity of the ferrous metallurgy, 24% of the electro technical and electronic industry, 14% of the machinery construction, 17% of the production of builder materials, 11% of the textile industry, 4-10% of the rest industry fields. In Sofia is produced 47% of the production of the ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy in the country, 25% of the electro technical machinery and equipment, 18% of the rubber and plastic articles, 15% of the textiles etc. The share of the production of the industry in Region Sofia is about 16.3% of the total for the country. 44.3% of the production has been made by the private sector, the leader being the production of food, drinks and tobacco /22%/; metal articles and machinery /16%/, paper and polygraphic items /14%/, electrotechnical machinery and precise equipment /11%/ etc. Extraction industry is represented by mining of rock materials (granite, etc.) as well as sand and gravel from the old river sediments near Kazichene, Dolni Bogrov, Chelopechene, Chepintsi and Negovan villages, and the open cast extraction of ferrous minerals near Kremikovtsi. Because of economic and environmental reasons the extraction activities are being limited during the last years. 17 industry zones are formed on the territory of Region Sofia. These zones, in their greatest part have reserves for development of the production process, but there is need of reconstruction of some of the zones. Basically, they operate at 40-60% of their capacity. There are no conditions in all zones to be implemented investment initiative of "Owner" of "User", connected with the usage of particular areas, building funds and infrastructure. The structural division of the zones has to be improved in correspondence with the processes of structural reform, in order to create optimal conditions for its implementation. In Sofia, as in the rest modern capital cities, there are areas which are ready for activation of the production initiative and acceleration of the production process and increase of the rate of employment. For the Region of Sofia the prevailing numbers of employed people are those employed in the sectors of services and processing industry. The trend is in increasing of the number of people working in the non-manufacturing sectors and decreasing the number of people working in the manufacturing industries. Comparatively large is the share of the employed in the state administration, metallurgy, scientific research as well as finance sectors. Leading in terms of employment within the private sector are trade, construction, business services, finance and transport. The development of agriculture in the region is based on continuously increasing number of the population in the capital. Southern slopes of Stara Planina mountain and the northern foots of the mountains standing to south of Sofia are used for agricultural activities. On the territories having lower elevation (Krivina, Kazichene, Busmantsi villages) production of vegetables and some fruits is developed, as well as production of cereals and forage. At higher elevation mainly forage is produced. In relation to the market demands green house production and flower production is also developed. In the near vicinity of the capital, there are animal farms that produce meat and milk. Semi-mountainous and the mountainous pastures are basis for development of pasture husbandry. The development of the building sector in the Region Sofia is in connection with the needs of the city and the territory around it. In the last few years, qualitative changes in the structure of the building production take place. The process of transition can be characterized by sharp decrease in the building of industry factories and buildings for common service, as well as the residential building. The basic trends in the sphere of building are connected with the renovation of restituted property in the main city part, building of individual flats and maintenance of the urban infrastructure.
INVESTMENT
The macroeconomic situation in the country during the last few years of transition towards market economy and the crisis that took place at the end of 1996 year had a large negative influence upon the development of the investment processes as a whole, as well as to the amount of the incoming foreign investments. This fact has a great effect upon the capital adequacy of the economy of the city. Data analysis shows that for the last few years there is an increase in the interest of foreign investors towards the economy of the capital city, which is a result from the radical structural changes. It is obvious that, in case in the following 1-2 years the process of stabilization turns into an economic growth, it might become a great stimulus for a sharp increase of the investment activation, as well in the holiday rentals in Bulgaria. The amount of the foreign investments in all sectors of the capital economy equals to 582 992 thousand dollars and represent 42% of the total amount of the foreign investments in the country. At second rank is Varna - 16% and at third - Region Sofia - 11% of the total amount of foreign investments. Analysis of the sector structure of the foreign investment shows that greatest interest has been paid to the following sectors: trade - 31%, finances - 23% and services 13%. The greatest investors are: Germany, 163 million dollars - 28%; The Republic of Korea, 46 million dollars - 8%; Holland, 41 million dollars - 7%; Great Britain and USA, 39 million dollars each - 6.5%; Greece, 36 million dollars; Austria, 30 million dollars; Russia, 18 million dollars, etc.
Determining significance for the structure of the economy has the industry. Sofia is the greatest industry center of the country. It realizes about 30% of the income from activity in the material sphere, the rate of the engaged people is about the same. The city possesses 45% of the created production basis. For comparison, the average structural indicators of the development of the country industry for 2001 year are: 40.2% of the income from sales; 35.1% of employment; 55.7%.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
• The Region City of Sofia will continue to be an economic center of the country. It is very important to use its opportunities for localization of activities at a next stage in order to develop ecology in its economic structure. When such a policy is implemented, it is the region government that plays an important role. It has to develop strategy and measures for a new structural development.
• The production function performed by the Region City of Sofia creates the need for a wider range, not to be restricted in the field of its own particular characteristics. It is necessary to create an industry structure towards which the high-intellectual labour, the various and powerful infrastructure, import and export gravitate.
• The reconstruction of the industry must include as well the multiplication of the production activities on the territory of the city of Sofia, which are born by or gravitate towards the current infrastructure, but draw the structural reconstruction towards the high-technological and internationalized production branches and companies.
• Taking into consideration the new role of the transport - geographical location of Sofia, production branches with strong import-export function must be developed as well.
• The main requirements to be observed in the development of the territorial location of the industry in Sofia are connected with • non-admission of the localization of new contaminating production activities. In this regard, the role of the Region Government is of a great significance.
• The specific decisions for production reconstruction and building of new factories must be based upon the market interest. Thus, it is necessary to develop new market strategies. The accelerated development of the private sector should be sought by means of privatization and global development of new competitive MSP.
• Nevertheless the changes that have taken place in the potential of the populated areas, the city of Sofia will continue developing as a dominant industry center of local, regional and national importance. The combination of not only industrial activities but also other structural infrastructure in the sphere of education, science, market institutions, communications etc. is a major condition for the city future development as an economic centre of sub - continental significance on the territory of the Balkan Peninsula and South-Eastern Europe.
• Creation and restoration of the economic interests out of the main city, in the small towns and villages.
• Creation of conditions for internal restoration process.
• Activation of the comparative advantages of the city in local, regional, national and global aspect and stimulation of the particular factors and pre-requisitions, assisting the economic development. The process of transition towards market economy is going to increase the price of the factor "space" and the spacious variety, which might lead to alternating dynamic of the particular region development. Space will turn into a real factor of the development and modification of the space structures. It will play role as a mean for controlling the progress and protection of the environment.
• The growth and the well-organized market infrastructure prove to be a stimulus for an economic development and increased investment attraction of each territory.
In conclusion, the plan for development of the region has to assist for the structural reconstruction of the economy of the district being the basic source for economic growth. It combines goals and measures for:
• Fields characterized by strong local participation together with potential for future growth;
• Zones concentrating fields that are strongly influenced by both the recession and the structural reform. These zones are facing unfavorable perspectives;
• Successful association with the Balkan, European and international structures;
• From a great significance for the regional development of the district is the achievement of new dynamism in the village areas and the countryside holiday villages in Bulgaria. The village territories, which surround the entire city and constitute major part of the space of the capital municipality, are not only part of the "agriculture, forests, and valleys". They are as well a place of social and economic life organized around the capital.
Tourism
The Region of Sofia, despite its small area, has various natural and anthropogenic tourist resources, which prerequisite development of holiday and business tourism, mountain summer and winter (ski) tourism and weekend recreational activities. Even tourism is not the main sector of the economy in the Region; Sofia tends to be an important tourist center. The capital takes second place regarding number of visitors (after Varna), as regarding the number of nights spent in a hotel Sofia is after the biggest Bulgarian seaside resorts. About 34% of all foreign visitors of the country in summer pass through Sofia, and about 61% in winter. The concentration of business visitors is very high in Sofia – 76% in summer. The mountains around Sofia with their typical relief forms (picturesque peaks, rock pyramids – Katina, stone rivers – Vitosha mountain), the snow cover and sun light duration, waters (mineral springs, Iskar dam, Pancharevo lake) as well as vegetation are natural tourist resources. The natural resort-tourist potential of Sofia is concentrated in three main recreational and tourist areas: natural park Vitosha, Pancharevo lake and Iskar dam.
Despite the violent demographic and territorial processes, Sofia proves to be a well planted city, in comparison with other European capitals. The larger green areas of the city and region parks are grouped into green massive and the smaller ones cover by means of quarter parks the resident areas and even the most dense build parts of the main city center. Special place and significance for rest and tourism have the following: West Park; South Park; Borisova gradina; The Lake of Pancharevo; Park "Vartopo"; The coast of the Iskar river; "Vitosha" park; Liulin Planina; Stara Planina and Lozenska Planina /especially the areas included in the territory of the Region Sofia/ They are important for the development of holiday rentals in Bulgaria, rest and tourism, as well as for the ski-sport and the alpinism. High importance in this aspect has Vitosha Planina. It is a dome - shaped mountain with total area 278 sq.km, average height 1500m. The highest point is Cherni Vrah /2290m/. The natural park includes two reserves /Bistrishko branishte and Torfeno branishte/, as well as some natural landmarks - Boyanski Vodopad, Samokovishteto, the Duhla cave - the longest in Bulgaria etc. There are also holiday houses, chalets, lifts, a lot of architectural-communal equipment, which create wonderful conditions for rest and tourism.The road arteries leading to the mountain are two basic ones: Boyana - Zlatni Mostove /9.5km/ and Dragalevtzi - Aleko /14km/. Fast access might be obtained by means of lifts: Cabin lift /Kniajevo-Kopitoto/; Two-seated lift /Dragalevtzi-Bai Krastio - Goli Vrah/; Cabin lift /Simeonovo-Aleko/. In the area of the Aleko chalet, there are two rope-ways: Two-seated rope-way /Romanski Vrah-Malak Rezen/; Three-seated rope-way "Academika"
Sofia has been famous from ancient times as a spa centre. At the city territory, as well as in the outskirts, there are natural hydrothermal resources. The favorable climatic conditions serve as a pre-requisite for the existence of two sanatoriums two resorts in the public sector /the total number of beds available being 510/ and holidays Rentals in Bulgaria. The thermal resources differ in chemical composition and temperature. The water of a large number of them may be used for drinking. Near the resources of Bankia, Ovtcha Kupel, Gorna Bania and Sofia, spas with cultural and remedy functions are built. Fifteen kilometers eastwards of Sofia is situated the Lake of Pancharevo, 550m above sea-level. Its length is 4km, the width being 100-400m. There is a sand beach, 1300m long. The zone is being used for water sports, fishing and spa. Another zone for short rest near water area is the Iskar dam, situated at 800m sea level. It stands 37km. away from Sofia.
Archeological monuments and architecture from the period of the Bulgarian revival stimulate the development of the cognitive tourism. The most important are the old part of the city. Here are found: the "Ivan Vazov" theatre, the building of the State Government, the Sofia University "St.Kliment Ohridski", the National Library, the Rotunda "St.Georgi", the church "St.Petka Samardjiiska", the church "St.Sofia" etc.
Geography
The landforms of City of Sofia Region are presented by pans, mountains and river valleys (Figure 10). The elevation above sea level ranges from about 500 m in Novi Iskar to 2290 m on Cherni Vrah (Black Peak), Vitosha Mountain. The Sofia pan occupies the largest area.
Iskar River and its tributaries formed in the bottom of the pan three river terraces of different height and age. The rivers formed sediment cones on the slopes encompassing the pan. The relief of the mountains is presented by well-shaped ridges and slope benches, which indicate stage-by-stage rising of the area. The stone rivers are typical for Vitosha. They are the result of weathering-denudation processes, screes and scree covers. The mountain raise in Pliocene resulted in the formation of faces on the northern slope and the landslip bank (Dragalevtsi - Boyana). The slopes of Plana Mountain have also normal fault character. Mineral water springs occur at the faults. Some of the famous springs are Gorna Banya, Ovcha kupel, Kniazevo, Centralna banja and Bankya. The limestone and dolomite in the Lozen Mountain caused the formation of karstic landforms. Iskar River cuts the Pancherevo gorge between Lozen and Plana mountains. It has the typical river sills, rock faces, landslips and landslides. In general, the pan relief of the area and the river pans are favorable for setting up of transport network and agriculture. Due to the high industrialization of the area, the agriculture is limited. The mountain relief, together with the climate and soils, are favorable for the development of forestry. The high Vitosha Mountain, the climate and the flora, as well as the short distance to the capital city are very favorable for the development of tourism. The city of Sofia belongs to the lower hilly plain foothill belt of deciduous oak trees. The potential vegetation is mostly presented by mixed deciduous forests. Very rich composition of indigenous and introduce tree and shrub species with different ecological and adaptability of urban environment is used in the forest-parks and particularly in the lawns of the city. More than 30 species are used in the composition of alley plantations. It is found that 310 bird’s species migrate and hibernate in Sofia and his environs.
PROTECTED AREAS
According to the New Natural Protection Legislation in Bulgaria and in conformity with regulations of IUCN, on the territory of the Region of Sofia а small number protected areas are isolated. These are: natural park “Vitosha”, biosphere reserve “Bistrishko branishte”, reserve “Torfeno branishte”, natural landmarks “Katinski piramidi”, “Boyanski wodopad” “Alekovi wodopadi”, “Samokowishteto” and lots of protected plant and animal species.
Places of Interest
Several buildings and venues vie for Sofia’s emblem. The most frequent image is of the impressive edifice of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Memorial Church. The temple is the central patriarch’s cathedral of the autonomous Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It was completed in 1912 after a design of The Russian architect Pomerantsev, approved by the 1st Great National Assembly. The church rises on the area of 3170 sq. m. The altar and the patriarch’s throne are cut of multi-coloured Italian marble; 13 Bulgarian and 32 Russian and Czech masters made the wood-carvings, cut the stone bas-reliefs and ornaments, painted the fresoes and the icons. The belfry rises to a height of 50.52 meters; the central dome is gold-plated with a massive gold cross on the top.
The Crypt of the cathedral houses a collection of masterpieces of Bulgarian icon painting. Visitors can enjoy the exhibited more than 200 icons and frescos. A souvenir shop sells copies of some of the famous icons, post cards, albums and folders. A remarkable sight is the square around the cathedral, where the Monument to the Unknown Soldier with eternal burning flame is located as well as many holiday rentals in Bulgaria. An open-air market of national costumes, embroidery and hand-knitted ware and garment and a small antiquarian and art exposition enliven the square.
Part of the same square is occupied by St. Sofia Church, dating back from the 4th-6th century AD, which gave the name of the city. In the end of the 16th century it was transformed into a mosque for a short time, but soon after the Liberation it was again sanctified as an Orthodox Church. Already restored, the church is open to visitors. Regrettably few of the frescoes have been preserved, but some rare icons are still in existence. A valuable exhibit kept in the church is a lock of hair of The Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski. Behind the church is the grave of Ivan Vazov (1850-1921), the patriarch of Bulgarian literature. A monument of the poet rises in the small garden in front of the church.
In the eastern part of the square rises the building of St. St. Cyril and Methodius Foundation, which houses the National Gallery of Foreign Arts. It contains unique exhibitions of art from Africa, Asia and Europe, Spanish baroque paintings, some Rembrandts, and tableaux by the modern painter Nikolai Roerich. Opposite to the south of it raises the building of the Academy of Arts, where future artists study icon-painting, restoration of old works of art, painting, sculpture, stage design etc. The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is the capital’s other emblem. The theatre was founded in 1904, and its building was completed in 1907. Designed in the style of German classicism, it contains many then fashionable Secession style. The interior was twice renewed, once after the fire in the theatre in 1923, and once during the 1970-1976 period. The hall is flanked by two balconies and there are 850 seats. Two chamber stages are in operation; the one with 150 seats the other with 100. The theatre employs some of the country’s best actors and stage directors, many of whom enjoy popularity all over Europe.The edifice of the National Assembly (build in 1884) is the first rightful candidate for the city’s emblem. A motto inscribed on its main facade reads “Union makes Strength” –a key element of the coat of the arms of the Republic of Bulgaria. Opposite its building is the monument of the King Liberator of Bulgaria (inaugurated in 1905) - The Russian Tsar Aleksander II. To the west of the parliament building is the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences founded in 1869, and to the east across a small garden the St. Kliment of Ohrid University of Sofia, founded in 1888 (and built in 1920 with personal donations by the brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi, whose statues flank the parade entrance of the university)-Bulgaria’s older higher school. The mausoleum of Battenberg is near the university and luxury holiday rentals in Bulgaria. The Russian church St. Nikolai is remarkable with its pointed golden cross. It was built in the years of 1912-1914 by Russian emigrants to Bulgaria. The interior of the church contains wonderful majolica ornaments, Russian-style icons among with stands out the icon of St. Nikolai Chudotvorets (the Wonder-worker) from the Kiev-Pechora Monastery. Next to it to the east is the Museum of Natural Science, with its unique collections of stuffed live flora and fauna species. Visitors show particular interest in the bazaar where they can purchase small rabbits, nutria, parrots, hamsters, canaries and other household pets.
The National Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum are housed in the former royal palace. It was built on 1873. During the reign of Prince Aleksander Battenberg the building was entirely reconstructed on the exterior and inside in the Art Nouveau (Secession) style, with elements of New-Rococo and Baroque. Expensive and unique wooden pieces furniture were arranged in the palace rooms. The National Art Gallery exhibits a collection of well over 12 000 works of art, the oldest dating back from the 18th century. The Bulgarian classical masters of painting and sculpture are represented with their most mature works. The National Ethnographic Museum exhibits a wealth of collections of National costumes, hand-made works of art from Bulgarian people’s daily life, tools dating from three or four centuries ago, jewellery, tissues, embroidery and other articles of typical national folk art. The exhibits include scale models of Bulgarian houses and life amenities in them, masks and costumes of the festive Bulgarian calendar rites from different ethnographic regions of the country. At the museum and the gallery there are two stands for souvenirs where one can purchase cards, albums, icons, folk music recordings, hand-made articles imitating originals of national art. Other exhibitions are often displayed in the building of the former Royal palace, to fill in the vacant spaces of the impressive place. Opposite to it in diagonal rises the building of the Bulgarian National Bank. Right next to it, a former Turkish mosque built on top of the ruins of a Christian Church destroyed by the Ottomans, houses today’s Archeological Museum.
Downtown in the interior courtyard of the Presidency and Sheraton Hotel rises the famous Roman Rotunda, transformed into St.Georgi Church during the 4th century AD. Recently restored, it stands at for its simple and exquisite architecture, the expressive remnants of frescoes and the entire complex of ruins behind the altar. Quite imposing as well are the ruins in the underpass opposite to the Presidency, north of TZUM, in the ground-level of Sofia Shop (currently under reconstruction) in Central Hali Square, etc. The square around the central Hali building is also noted for its sights. The Hali (1911) were a cover market from the beginning of the century. Today after being reconstructed, they are a useful facility as well as an attractive place for shopping and spending some time at a cup of coffee near the holiday rentals in Bulgaria. The mosque (1576) is in the square, the public bath (1913) is to the east, the ruins of the Roman fortress of Serdica with the corner turrets are to the north, the Synagogue (1909) is situated west of the Hali. St. Petka Samardzhiiska Church is located in the underpass of TZUM (south of the Hali). Vasil Levski was probably buried there, according to the hypothesis. Almost completely dug into the ground, today the whole of it is outstanding and gives easy access to the holiday rentals in Bulgaria’s capital. There are attractive coffee bars and other catering establishments in the underpass, as well as many souvenir shops. Numerous monuments adorn Sofia, and the most popular and honoured by all Bulgarians is the obelisk to the Apostle of Freedom (of 1895), which rises on the spot of his execution. The Russian Monument is an obelisk rising west of the city centre; it bears a ritten dedication to The Russian Tsar and the Russian warriors who gave their lives in the war for Bulgaria’s liberation. The Doctors’ Monument, dedicated to the medical stuff of the Russian army who fell in the war, rises in the garden behind the National Library. The monuments from the socialist years are more impressive and interesting as a detail of the country’s past. These are the Monument of the Soviet Army, south of the University Building and the Monument of Freedom in the easternmost part of the Borisova Gradina Park, crowned by a big obelisk. The monument of Saint brothers Cyril and Methodius who created Bulgarian Alphabet rises in front of the National Library. Numerous busts of leaders of Bulgarian Revival adorn the alleys of Borisova Gradina Park, as well as effigies of poets, writers and revolutionaries. Two of the most popular bridges in Sofia could well be counted among the capital’s monumental spots. Luvov Most (Lions’ Bridge) - formerly known as Sharen Bridge-the motley crowd bridge over Vladaiska River lies north of the city centre in the direction of the Central Railway Station. Four lions stay on high pedestals. Orlov Most (Eagles’ Bridge) over Perlovska River lies in the beginning of Tsarigradsko Shaussee Boulevard, which is the road to Plovdiv and Istanbul. Four bronze eagles, facing the four directions of the world, are mounted on 12-metre pylons. The Borisova Gradina Park begins from that bridge, stretching to the south-east. Among the sights of Sofia one could place the streets Graf Ignatiev, Rakovski, and Vitosha Boulevard where are located one of the best holiday rentals in Bulgaria. Graf Ignatiev Street runs from east to west. It starts at Perlovski Bridge, adorned in the sculptures of workers and peasants demonstrating the amity between the Bulgarian and the Russian peoples. Numerous shops line the street on both sides up to the crossing with Patriarch Evtimii Boulevard and Vasil Levski Boulevard where rises a monument to Patriarch Evtimii-a man of letters and spiritual leader of the 14th century. Proceeding west, one comes to a small garden with St. Sedmochislenitsi (St. St. Cyril and Methodius and their Five Disciples) Church. Further west after crossing with Rakovski Street we come to Slaveykov Square and a hot spot for holiday rentals in Bulgaria. Here, in front of the city library is arranged the largest open-air book market of Sofia. Recently the old three-tier bronze fountain was restored. In the spring of 2000 an original monument was placed to two of the most prominent Bulgarian writers, poets and public figures-father and son Petko and Pencho Slaveykovs, in honour of whom the square was named. One can sit for a while on the bench next to them and have his photo taken for keepsake. Author of the sculpture composition is Georgi Chapcunov- a prominent Bulgarian sculpturer, who has also created the statue of St. Sofia (Opposite TZUM). Next come a couple of cinemas, company shops, photo studios, holiday rentals in Bulgaria and buildings of interesting architecture. Rakovski Street lies in the south-eastern direction and it is considered the longest street of Sofia. It starts in the north from the railway lines of Sofia Central Railway Station, crosses Vladaiska River, and a few streets before Dondoukov Blvd. The street mounts steeply past the National Opera- a building, which also houses the National Ballet and the leadership of the Bulgarian Agrarian Party. The Opera house is in neo-classical style, and in front of it raises a monument of Alexander Stamboliiski, one of the founders of the Bulgarian Agrarian People’s Union and a prime-minister of Bulgaria (1919-1923). After the steep rise the street passes by the monument of Ivan Vazov in the left and the square in front of Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Furder south, at the crossing of Rouski Boulevard (Once called Tsarya)-or the boulevard chestnuts and yellow brick pavement-rises the Armed Forces Club Building. To the left along Rakovski Street there is a small garden with a monument of Stefan Stambolov, then comes to Sulza I Smyah Theatre, the Slavyanska Besseda Reading Club and Hotel (the former library and cultural centre of Sofia, with a 120 - year history), Theatre 199 and the house of Ivan Vazov. To the left along Rakovski Street there is the Theatre of the Army, the Ministry of Finance, the National Academy for Theatre and Film Art ( NAFTIZ Krustyu Sarafov); then a crossing left leads to the Theatre of Satire, followed by fashion, technology and flower shops and new holiday rentals in Bulgara, First City Hospital, The Indian Embassy and the French Foreign Language Secondary School. Numerous shops and restaurants adorn both sides of the street till its end at Perlovska River. Vitosha Boulevard starts north from the St. Nedelya Church. Buolevard has on both sides hundreds of shops and representative show windows and boutiques of high fashion and numerous exchange bureaus. At the beginning of the boulevard on the right hand side rises the Palace of Justice, one of the most imposing buildings in Sofia with its monumental granite staircase and two bronze lion figures on each side. Lots of shops follow on both sides and a park at the crossing of Patriarch Evtimii Blvd. The park ends at the Palace of Culture, which features 16 halls the largest of which seats a public of nearly 5000. Admirers of Bulgarian history could enjoy the exhibits in the National Museum of History, located in Boyana Quarter. Trolley-bus line N 2 or rout-taxi line N 21 links downtown to the museum. The Zoo (1, Sreburna Str.) is a favourite place of the youngest citizens of Sofia, as well as to the lots of visitors of the country. Most popular in Sofia are: Archeological Museum; Ethnographic Museum; National Museum of History; Boyana Church National Museum; The Earth and People National Museum; National Museum of Nature and Science; “Old Sofia” and the Sofia Museum of History.
Education
The level of education in the capital city extremely differs from the one in the rest regions of the country. In accordance to statistical data, 37.5% of the population that has graduated University lives in Sofia. In the education system, 312 educational units are included. 218 of them are schools of general education, 10 are specialized, and 13 are professional. There are 47 technical schools and schools of art, 10 colleges, and 17 universities. The field specialization of the professional schools is quite various: in the sphere of industry - 34; transport - 4; service - 5; economy - 2; building - 1; agriculture - 1. The total amount of the tutors is 21.4-25.0 thousand. The University tutors are about 12 000. The total number of the kinder - gardens is 239 /28484 children and 2567 staff/. There are one sanatorial, two logopedic and two specialized /for deaf children/. There are 6 children's homes mainly for orphaned or mentally/physically retarded children, with almost current number of children - 581 and 116 people forming the pedagogical personnel.
Surrounding areas
VITOSHA
Vitosha is the most visited Bulgarian mountain. Its highest peak is Mt. Cherni Vruh (The Black Peak), 2290 m above sea level. The mountain is the cradle of hiking tourism in Bulgaria. There are two main tourist centres – Aleko and Zlatnite Mostove (The Golden Bridges). There is Aleko Chalet offering 88 beds in three suits and rooms of 2, 3, 4, 8 and more beds. Behind Aleko Chalet is the office of Mountain Rescue Service. Above it is a huge slope Stenata-the biggest natural ski-track in Bulgaria. The year 1934 witnessed the establishment of the first National Park in our country, enclosing the greater part of Vitosha and aimed at preserving the beauties of the mountain the next generations for. Zlatnite Mostove is another popular tourist centre. Most popular here is the phenomenon-moreni “stone rivers”, piles of huge rounded stones along the river valleys, reaching up to 2 km in length and 50 m in width. There are number of valuable historical monuments in the mountains. The most popular among them is Boyana Church. It is included in the list of UNESCO of most valuable works of art. The Dragalevtsi Monastery is another place of interest, founded in the 14th century.
LYULIN
Lyulin Mountain is situated south west of the capital city, 3 km from the ring road. Now virtually a part of the city, it is a good place for picnics and walks. Bonsovy polyany is the most visited place in the mountain.
PLANA
Plana Mountain also offers interesting sights for tourism. It is situated 10 km south of the capital and can be reached by city bus or by car along the road to Samokov. The most frequently visited is Kokalyane Monastery, built in 10th century. Pancharevo Lake (12 km from Sofia) is situated next to the village of Pancharevo. It is suitable for recreation, sunbathing, fishing and water sports. Iskar Dam is a large water reservoir near Sofia. It lies 25 km south of the city, and are very good recreation spot where aquatic sports can be practiced.
Accommodation and Catering
Sofia has a sufficient number of luxury, first class and lower category hotels, private lodgings and tourist hotels. The 5-star hotels are Sheraton, Hilton, Radisson, Hrankov, and Kempinsky-Zografski. 4-star hotels are Sofia Princess Hotel, Rodina, Maria Lourisa, TBS Ambassador, Gloria Palace, while the remaining are 3-, 2- and 1-star hotels.
Most of the hotels listed above have restaurants, sandwich and snack bars, and some also have night clubs and discotheques. Sofia offers an exclusive variety of snack-bars, small restaurants, pizzerias, national cuisine diners, foreign cuisine restaurants, self-service restaurants, fast food places, open-air sandwich, toaster, falafel stalls, luxurious restaurants, and wine cellars clubs.
The capital of the country
Sofia’s motto is “Ever Growing, Never Ageing! “
It is located 150 km (90 miles) northwest of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city, 390 km west of Burgas, 470 km (294 miles) west of Varna, Bulgaria's major port-cities on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast.
The capital of the Republic of Bulgaria is the city of Sofia (1 096 389 inhabitants, 550 meters above sea level). The city lies in the Sofia Plain where are located many holiday rentals in Bulgaria, enclosed by The Balkan Mountains to the North, Losen Mountain to the southeast, mountain Vitosha to the south, Lyulin Mountain to the southwest. The plain is open to the north-west in the direction of Yugoslavia, and to the southeast to the Thracian Lowland. Sofia is situated 55 km from Yugoslav border at Kalotina checkpoint, 113 km from Gyueshevo checkpoint with Macedonia, 183 km from the Greek border at Koulata, 315 km from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo, 211 km from the Romanian border at Vidin, 324 km from Rousse, 392 km from our maritime border at Bourgas port, and 470 km from Varna port – very important destinations for holiday rentals in Bulgaria. In close proximity to the capital city lie Pancharevo Lake and Iskar Dam. Iskar River flows by the city, and several smaller rivers cross the city, the most popular of these being Vladay and Perlova Rivers.
The holiday rentals in Bulgaria near Sofia are very easy accessible, because the capital is linked by international routes with the capitols of Europe, and via Istanbul and Ankara, with the Middle East.
Because of its statute as a capital of the country, the city of Sofia concentrates supreme and unique functions. The capital is the major administrative, economic, political and cultural, trade and tourist centre of Bulgaria. It concentrates the institutional infrastructure implementing management functions with international, national and local importance and it affects all spheres of the social and economical life of the country. The availability of the largest educational institutions, scientific institutes, financial services, and development of the sphere of service assist the development of the managing and intellectual potential of the capital city. The capital statute is in relation with the established trade contacts, the activation of easy restoration of some traditional markets and the creation of new market positions. The concentration of management functions, respectively of information, tends to be an extremely important condition for the dynamic development of the particular territ orial unit, in accordance to the contemporary theory for the regional and city development, this being the reason for the development of the above-mentioned function. The basic decision need to be made at a new level of the specific elements taking part in the formation of the institutional and the management infrastructure of the capital, as well as at new structural and qualitative level of the elements and their grouping, in order to achieve general influence. During the whole period of its existence as a capital of Bulgaria, Sofia proved to be the most dynamically developing territory of the country. This fact had its economic, political and social explanation. The extremely significant importance of Region Sofia in national and local aspect viewing its influence upon the entire economical and social development of the country is the reason why it serves as a "region of development", in compliance with the new Law for the Regional Development. The definition "region for development" considers a municipality or a compact group of municipalities possessing economic and social functions. The above - mentioned municipalities have been chosen as objects for special influence due to their potential for accelerated and stable growth in national aspect. The execution of their functions is in connection with the development of functions related to high technologies, market infrastructure, and development of export-orientated production, sphere of international and regional services.
