BUILDING ON VITOSHA BLVD, SOFIA

Prior to liberation the today’s Vitosha Blvd. has been unmarked street between the present streets of P. Alabin and P. Parchevich and had been named Dzhebel Vitosh Sokagi. In 1883 its name has been changed to Vitoshka, after the name of the mountain, to which foot it has been leading since ancient times. During the first years after the Liberation it has been built-up mainly with small one-storey houses.


Within the period between the two World Wars the newly built-up public buildings radically changed its appearance. During the last years of the past century Vitosha boulevard transformed into a representative business street with luxury shops for fashion clothes, shoes, cosmetics, etc. The great umber of elite cafes and restaurants and clubs are attractive both for the Sofia citizens and for the Sofia guests.
Total Floorage Area: 3 000 sq. m.

 

The history of Sofia embraces thousands years. The first name of the city – Serdika – was given by the Thracian tribe Serdi, who had inhabited town’s territory in 7 century B.C. Later Byzantium citizens gave it the name of Triaditza and the Slavs – Sredetz. The name of Sofia dates since 14th century, when the town has been called after the basilica Saint Sofia (in Greek “sofia” means wisdom). In 1879 the town became Bulgaria’s capital.

Sofia is rich of archaeological findings. A great part of the previous Serdika is located beneath central modern buildings. Saint George rotunda is located behind the Presidency, and antique basilicas are hidden beneath the National historical museum. Roman thermal baths are the predecessor of the Sofia mineral baths and the Roman residence, decorated by fine mosaics, is preserved beneath Rila hotel.

Some of the modern landmarks of the city are: Alexandar Nevsky church – a masterpiece of icons, mural paintings and frescoes, constructed in the course of 30 years by masters from 6 states, the National palace of culture – the greatest Congress Centre on the Balkans, Sofia university and a lot of others.

From ancient times the city is prominent also with its mineral springs both in its real centre and in the neighbourhoods: Knyazhevo, Gorna Banya, Bankya, Ovcha Kupel, and Ivanyane.

Today Sofia residents amount to 1 250 000.