The city was founded around 7 000 years ago in a close proximity to the Vitosha Mountain and has now turned into a real cosmopolitan city. As it is with other capitals, Sofia is the centre of the political, cultural and business life in Bulgaria. The city offers many international events, as well as theatres, operas, concert halls, museums and galleries. The place is also suitable for congresses,
symposia, meetings and conferences because its business centre and hotels are very near the centre of the city. And for those who want comfort, rest and tranquility, there are many small private hotels in Sofias surroundings. As far as shopping is concerned Sofia can satisfy even the most demanding tastes. It has in avail not only glamorous shops with designer clothes, but also small antique shops, private and public galleries, jewellery and music shops and traditional craft studios. The restaurants in Sofia are also a delight. Most of them serve European and traditional Bulgarian food, but there are many others, offering all kinds of cuisines. If you want to feel the traditional Bulgarian atmosphere, you should visit a tavern. This is the place, where you will find traditional Bulgarian foods and drinks, combined with folk music and dances. The night life in Sofia is also something that should be experienced. One can go to various concerts, operas, theatres, jazz and rock clubs and piano bars. There are also excellent discos with special shows in the late hours and casinos in which one can wait for the dawn. Not many are the capitals like Sofia, which are so endowed climatic and spa factors. Due to its geographical location and mainly to its mineral springs Sofia is with centuries long history. Archeological data prove that the settlement was established some 2000 years ago by the Thracian tribe named Serdi. However, later Sofia’s location and mineral springs drew attention of the Romans who conquered it and turned it into flourishing city under the name Ulpia Serdika. On the territory of the capital and its surroundings are found over 40 hydro-mineral sources. Not so highly mineralized waters are diveded into few regions, such as Sofia-center, Gorna Banya, Bankya, Ovcha Kupel, Knyazhevo, Pancharevo, etc. During the twentieth century was found more slightly and also highly mineralized thermal waters. These spa resorts are of national importance since the 60s. Probably the mineral water found in Sofia’s center is the reason for foundation of the settlement around it and its development through ages. There are ancient remains from different epochs around the thermal source and its assumption. Gorna Banya is a district of Sofia on 9 kilometers from the city center, located on the southwest slopes of Lulin Mountain at elevation of 640 meters and with magnificent exposure and splendid view to the capital. Due to the specific qualities of this water, Gorna Banya is one of the most popular drinking mineral waters in Bulgaria, as well as one of the most preferred spa resorts.
