Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria is located in a valley encompassed by the Vitosha mountains, Iskar river. The city is over a 1.2 mil big, and over 3000 years old. Sofia has an ancient side to it/s modern city living and attractions. Throughout the mileniums, the city was known as Serdica (Thracian, Roman), Sredec (Slavic), Triadica (Byzantine) and Sofia (Bulgarian). The country Bulgaria exists *only* since 681, just *barely* over 1300 years.