Sofia has been an area of continuous human habitation since at least the 8th millennium BC, but others have inhabited the area 30,000 years ago.The city has a history of nearly 7000 years and it is the second oldest city in Europe according to the city's official website and other sources, though the meaning of the claim is unclear as in the world there were hardly any cities at the time.
As the Roman Empire expanded during the first century, it occupied the territory of what we now know as Bulgaria. At that time and under the Roman rule was settled Serdica - a city of great importance in the whole region. Roman ruins can still be seen nowadays under the city, around the area of Saint Sofia Church. Interesting are also the remnants of the old Roman theater that could be seen through the glass windows placed on the floor.
Nearby is further to be seen the Amphitheater that was just 10 m shorter in diameter from the Colosseum in Rome. In other words – there is a huge old city under the modern buildings in the center of Sofia, but only one very small part of it is visible today.
