Hidden Ancient Sofia: Underground City (Tickets Included)

Sofia, one of the oldest cities in Europe, boasts a rich and ancient history that spans thousands of years. As one of the three most ancient cities on the continent, it has witnessed the rise and fall of great civilizations. The city was once a thriving part of the Roman Empire, later becoming an essential stronghold of the Bulgarian Empire before transitioning into the Eastern Roman Empire. Throughout these periods, Sofia evolved as a significant cultural and political center, reflecting the influences of each ruling power. However, in the 14th century, the city fell under Ottoman rule, marking the beginning of nearly five centuries of Ottoman influence that shaped its architecture, traditions, and diverse cultural landscape.

Following the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire, Sofia was chosen as the new capital in 1879, ushering in a new era of national identity and modernization. Despite the many changes in governance, one constant in Sofia’s history has been its multicultural heritage. For centuries, Bulgarians, Turks, Jews, Armenians, and other communities coexisted within the city, each leaving a unique mark on its cultural and historical fabric. This blending of traditions, religions, and customs has contributed to Sofia’s vibrant atmosphere, where ancient ruins, Ottoman mosques, Orthodox churches, and Jewish synagogues stand side by side, telling the story of a city that has endured and thrived through centuries of transformation.