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Revision as of 05:58, 20 August 2015

Sofia Province -x- Bulgaria

Contents

An Introduction

Statue of Sveta Sofia.jpg








City Motto

File:Sofia in the night.jpg

It Grows, but Does Not Age.

Coat of Arms

[[]]





























Appearance

[[]]
































Climate

Sofia has a humid continental climate with an average annual temperature of 10.1°C. Winters are cold and snowy. In the coldest days temperatures can drop as low as -15°C or even lower, most notably in January. Foggy conditions are frequent, especially in the beginning of the season. On average, Sofia receives a total snowfall of 90cm and 60 days with snow cover.

Summers are warm and sunny. In summer, Sofia generally remains slightly cooler than other parts of Bulgaria, due to its higher altitude. However, the city is also subjected to heat waves with high temperatures reaching or exceeding 35°C in the hottest days, particularly in July and August.

Springs and autumns in Sofia are short with variable and dynamic weather. The city receives an average precipitation of 621.3mm a year, reaching its peak in spring and early summer when thunderstorms are common.

Economy

Sofia is the economic heart of Bulgaria and home to most major Bulgarian and international companies operating in the country, as well as the Bulgarian National Bank and the Bulgarian Stock Exchange. With a GDP per capita of $30,534, a nominal of $15,757 and a PPS GDP per capita of the city and its surrounding Yugozapaden planning region of $24,647 in 2009.

The capital is the center of the national economy. This places Sofia's GDP (PPP) per capita at 103% of the EU average, well above the country's average of 44%. In 2008, the average per capita annual income was 4,572 leva ($3,479). The strongest sectors of the city's economy in terms of annual production are manufacturing ($5.5 billion), metallurgy ($1.84 billion), electricity, gas and water supply ($1.6 billion) and food and beverages ($778 million).

After World War II and the era of industrialization under socialism, the city and its surrounding areas expanded rapidly and became the most heavily industrialized region of the country. The influx of workers from other parts of the country became so intense that a restriction policy was imposed, and residing in the capital was only possible after obtaining Sofianite citizenship. However, after the political changes in 1989, this kind of citizenship was removed.

Increasingly, Sofia is becoming an outsourcing destination for multinational corporations, among them IBM, Hewlett-Packard, SAP AG, Siemens, and Software AG. Bulgaria Air, the national airline of Bulgaria, has its head office on the grounds of Sofia Airport. Up until 2007 Sofia experienced rapid economic growth.

Etymology

The name Serdica or Sardica (Greek = Σερδική, Σαρδική) was popular in Ancient Greek, Roman Latin, and Medieval Greek / Byzantine Greek sources from Antiquity throughout the Middle Ages; it was related to the local Celts The name was last used in the 19th century in a Bulgarian text: Service and hagiography of Saint George the New of Sofia.

Another of Sofia's names, Triaditsa, was mentioned in Greek medieval sources. The Bulgarian name Sredets, first appeared in the 11th-century Vision of Daniel and was widely used in the Middle Ages.

The current name Sofia was first used in the 14th-century Vitosha Charter of Bulgarian tsar Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria or in a Republic of Ragusa merchant's notes of 1376; it refers to the famous Hagia Sophia Church, an ancient church in the city named after the Christian concept of the Holy Wisdom. Although Sredets remained in use until the late 18th century, Sofia gradually overcame the Slavic name in popularity.

Geography

Sofia is 130 kilometers (81 mi) northwest of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city, 340 kilometers (210 mi) west of Burgas and 380 kilometers (240 mi) west of Varna, Bulgaria's major port city on the Bulgarian-Black Sea Coast. The city is less than 200 kilometers (120 mi) from the borders with three countries: 55 kilometers (34 mi) from Kalotina on the Serbian border, 113 kilometers (70 mi) from Gyueshevo on the frontier with the Republic of Macedonia and 183 kilometers (114 mi) from the Greek border at Kulata.

Sofia has a land area of 1344 square kilometers (835 square miles).

Sofia's development as a significant settlement owes much to its central position in the Balkans. It is situated in western Bulgaria, at the northern foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the Sofia Valley that is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The valley has an average altitude of 550 meters (1,800 ft). Three mountain passes lead to the city, which have been key roads since antiquity, connecting the Adriatic Sea and Central Europe with the Black and Aegean Seas. A number of low rivers cross the city, including the Vladaiska and the Perlovska. The Iskar River in its upper course flows near eastern Sofia. The city is known for its numerous mineral and thermal springs. Several artificial and dam lakes have been built in the last century.

History

Prehistory
Ancient Serdica
Medieval Sredets
The Ottoman Domination
The Liberation
The Autonomous Principality
The Third Kingdom
World War I
World War II
The People's Republic
A Parliamentary Democracy
Twenty-First Century Sofia

Mood & Theme

The Mood of Sofia by Night

The Theme of the Sofia by Night

The Rule of Three

The City of Wisdom

Population

  • -- City (2,190,927) - 2022 census
  • -- Metro Area (2,421,366) - 2022 census

During Sofia's communist period, the city's population peaked in 1985 at roughly 1,200,000 and then due to economic stagnation and immigration the population began a slow, but steady decline that would last for 26 years. In 2011, the number of Bulgarians emigrating to the City of Wisdom, the decline in the infant mortality rate and a slowing trend in the overall death rate cause the first positive population growth in three decades.

In 2012 the city of Sofia had gained 60,000 new citizens over the previous year's census. The following years of 2013 through 2017 saw significant increases in positive population growth in part due to low infant mortality and a steadily increasing birth rate, but more directly from rural immigration to urban Sofia. The Serbo-Bulgarian War of 2017 saw a slight dip in the positive population trend of the previous decade, but with the war over in 2018, the marital rate more than doubled and 2019 saw the beginning of a Bulgarian baby-boom.

In addition to native Bulgarian factors, the Greek Civil War (2014 - 2021) resulted in significant legal as well as immeasurable illegal immigration to Bulgaria in general and Sofia Grad specifically. The end of the Serbo-Bulgarian War resulted in another influx of legal and illegal immigration, in this case from the Serbian frontier which saw significant devastation during the war.

As of 2022, Sofia is the fastest growing European capital city and a cosmopolitan melting-pot with an ever growing workforce. Statistical projections for continued population growth show no sign of decline or stagnation in the near future and with the marital rate increasing and the death rate at a several decade low, the City of Wisdom will continue to live up to it's metropolitan motto of continuing to grow while remaining ageless.

Arenas

The city is home to a number of large sports venues, including the 43,000 seat Vasil Levski National Stadium which hosts international football (soccer) matches, and Lokomotiv Stadium, the main venue for outdoor musical concerts. Armeets Arena holds many indoor events and has a capacity of up to 19,000 people depending on its use. The venue was inaugurated on July 30, 2011, and the first event it hosted was a friendly volleyball match between Bulgaria and Serbia.

There are two ice skating complexes — the Winter Palace of Sports with a capacity of 4,000 and the Slavia Winter Stadium with a capacity of 2,000, both containing two rinks each. A velodrome with 5,000 seats in the city's central park underwent renovations in 2013. There are also various other sports complexes in the city which belong to institutions other than football clubs, such as those of the National Sports Academy, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, or those of different universities.

There are more than fifteen swimming complexes in the city, most of them outdoor. Nearly all of these were constructed as competition venues and therefore have seating facilities for several hundred people. There are also two golf courses, just to the east of Sofia — in Elin Pelin (St Sofia club) and in Ihtiman (Air Sofia club), and a horseriding club (St George club).


  • -- Armeets Arena (indoor stadium - mostly soccer)
  • -- Lokomotiv Stadium (indoor stadium - soccer)
  • -- Slavia Winter Stadium (ice skating)
  • -- Vasil Levski National Stadium (indoor stadium - soccer - Sofia's largest stadium)
  • -- Velodrome (central park - outdoor venue)
  • -- Winter Palace of Sports (ice skating)

Attractions

























Bars and Night Clubs

















































Castles

























Cemeteries

























City Government

























Churches


Crime

























Children of Seth

Current Events

























Districts

Maroon text denotes areas of significant vampiric activity.

Bankya

[[]]

Description: Bankya (Bulgarian: Банкя) is an upscale town and district in western Bulgaria. It is administratively part of greater Sofia. The district is famous for the mineral springs and baths that have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Former Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov is a native. In 1969 the village of Bankya was proclaimed a town, and in 1979 it became part of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

History: The Bankya region has been inhabited for thousands of years. During archaeological excavations in Verdikal residential section, remains of Roman buildings, walls, sewerage, and bronze jewelry were found.

From the middle of the 19th century to the Liberation from the Ottoman Dominion in 1878 Bankya was a farm of an Ottoman military leader. In the middle of the farm there was a powerful spring, which was filling a small pool in the bathroom of the leader. Bulgarians were not allowed to take baths in the water; they were only allowed to get in the healing mud of the nearby swamp only once a year. This was happening at the memorial day of the church “St. Martyrs Kirik and Julita”, which is presently celebrated on 15 July. This is where the tradition to celebrate the traditional days of Bankya – “Goreshlyatsi” on 15th, 16th and 17th of July - comes from.

After the Liberation, Bulgarians bought back entirely the lands of the leader’s heirs, and in the end of the 19th century the first hotel was opened here. Soon after that the mineral springs in the region were piped. The building of the first public bath in the town was built in 1906. It was called: “The Small Bath”. In 1910, according to a project of the Munich architect Karl Hocheder, one of the most famous European specialists of balneological installations, the “Large Bath” was completed. With its monumentality and functionality, it is one of the most famous symbols of Bankya.

Location: The town of Bankya is situated at a distance of 17 km west of Sofia, at the foot of the Lyulin Mountain, at or around an altitude of about 700 meters. Its population is about 21,503 people. The climate in the region is temperate continental, with an average January temperature of + 2o C and an average July temperature of +19.6° С. The tranquility of the mountain, the fresh air and the healing water are the reason for Bankya to acquire the statute of a resort, preferred for relaxation and balneological treatment.

Population: 21,503 (estimated -- 2022)

Economy: Tourism and balneological science. Bankya is famous for its mineral water, with a temperature of 36.5 - 37o C. The water has low mineralization, hypo-thermal, with a low level of hardness, clean, without a smell, with many pleasant taste qualities, and it is suitable for everyday drinking. It is successfully used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases and nervous system disorders. The name of Bankya is also related to mineral water. It actually means “small bath”.

Places of Interest
There are many interesting landmarks in the region of Bankya. Among them are the following: the church “St. Cyril and St. Methodius”, the temple “Martyrs Kirik and Julita”, built in 1932, as well as the church “St. George” in Ivalyane, built on the ruins of an old votive temple from Roman times. “All Saints” in Vedikal residential section is the oldest Christian temple in the region of Bankya. It is believed that it was built immediately after the Boyana church (10th – 11th century).

The monastery “St. Petka” is situated at a distance of about 7 km from the center of Bankya, in the village of Klisura. It was established in the 13th century. Presently it is an operating nunnery. Accommodation is offered in it, but the proximity to Bankya facilitates tourists. The memorial day of the holy monastery is the 14th of October.

Another monastery in the Bankya region is the Divotinski monastery. It is situated 5 km southwest of the town. Its history is unclear, but legends say that it was established in the years of the reign of Tsar Peter (927 – 969).

“Vazor’s Oak” is another popular place in Bankya. This was the favorite place for relaxation of the great Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov (1850 – 1921).

  • -- Bankya Palace -- A spa hotel of growing fame.
  • -- The Church of Martyrs -- The patron saints of the church are the martyrs Quiricus and Julietta; the church was built in 1932 and inaugurated by bishop Stephen from Sofia (holy ground).
  • -- Bankya Golf & Country Club -- The country club is in fact the former Bulgarian presidential residence.
  • -- Bankya Mineral Baths -- The Mineral Baths in Bankya were built in 1907–1910 to the design of Munich architect Carl Hocheder who was a specialist in balneological architecture.
  • -- Vazov's Oak -- The famous Bulgarian poet - Ivan Vazov's favorite place of relaxation.

Website: http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/271/Bankya

Local Despot: Raina Lom

Lore: The former vampiric despot Kamiko Tanaka of the Banu Haqim, the Scourge of Sofia, now deceased, and before that, Marius Ignatius, one time Tzimisce Primogen of Sofia. Since the departure of the Baron, rumors have circulated that werewolves and transient vampires have been sighted in and around the town. The region is beginning to get a dark reputation among the city's Kindred. Since 2012, Raina Lom has established herself as the local vampiric despot; under her influence Bankya has once again flowered into a thriving tourist zone -- albeit one that caters to far more than balneological treatments. In 2020, she was officially recognized as the domain's lawful despot by the new prince.

Secrets: Raina Lom the Ventrue was responsible for driving the former Tzimsice primogen from his domain and for the subsequent harassment of any would be vampiric colonist. Since 2012, she has secretly established a temple to the dead Egyptian god Set in the crypt of a little used Greek Orthodox church. Visiting Followers of Set now use the crypt as a stopover point on their travels else-where. If her plans come to fruition, there will soon be a small and unobtrusive Setite colony in Bankya.

Fakulteta

[[]]

Description:
Economy:
Location:
History:
Police: Captain Besnik
Population:
Places of Interest

Websites: http://www.express.co.uk/pictures/galleries/1508/UKIP-MEP-Paul-Nuttall-visits-the-Roma-ghetto-in-Sofia/32551

http://theothereurope.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/photo-journal-leaving-fakulteta/

Local Despot: Madame Mina the former Keeper of Elysium and childe of Ezmeralda the Gadfly. Ezmeralda resides with her childe in Fakulteta and watches over the Roma population.

Lore: For years it was generally believed that Madame Mina was the childe of the infamous and reclusive elder Ravnos Wenzel Xeven until the emergence of Ezmeralda.

Secrets: There are many secrets to be learned about municipality of Fakulteta. Those who knew a little, would know that while there are a number of skilled independent rogues among the gypsies, there is only one organized criminal enterprise among the Roma, the fearful Ba'al Verzi.

Those who know a little more, would know that some of the gypsy seers and mystics are in actuality sorcerers, among them the outcast Roma man Shandor who is a rarity for being both a male sorcerer and a feared, but respected medium.

Those who knew the most would know that for centuries, the Roma have lived in the shadow of the monster they call Wenzel Xeven, a Ravnos vampire who has fed upon the gypsies for centuries. Though Xeven was believed to have been hunted down and destroyed, he has recently resurfaced, though only those who know the most about the municipality could hope to know that.

Ilinden

Description:
Location:
History:
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Places of Interest

Local Despot: None, it remains an open feeding ground, for now.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Iskar

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population:
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Places of Interest

Local Despot: None, it remains an open feeding ground, for now.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Izgrev

Description:
Location:
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Places of Interest

Local Despot: Gustavus von Lothringen the Vampiric Prince of Sofia holds dominion over all of Izgrev.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Krasna Polyana

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population:
Economy:
Places of Interest

Vampire Despot: Anastas Grozdan, the Primogen for Clan Malkavian

Kindred Residents: Layla

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Krasno Selo

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population:
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Places of Interest

Vampire Despot: Grigor Boriskovic, the former Seneschal of Sofia.

Kindred Residents: None now, but formerly, for a time the Ventrue Mary Wyncott resided within the district before she moved to the New World.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Kremikovtsi

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population:
Economy: The entire economy of the district is based upon the Kremikovtsi Steel Mill.
Places of Interest

Kindred Despot: Caden Drud Caden was the former Sheriff of Sofia.

Other Kindred of Note: Calogero Giovanni: The Giovanni envoy to Sofia and the only resident necromancer.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Lozenets

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
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Places of Interest

Local Despot: Karl Johansen, Primogen of Clan Tremere

Other Kindred of Note

  • -- Almiro Suarez -- Tremere Apprentice of the Seventh Circle and Technomancer
  • -- Magenta DiMagro -- Apprentice of the 5th circle (missing and presumed dead after the struggle with Dylan, just resurfaced after a period of torpor)
  • -- Thomas Wellby -- Apprentice of the Fourth Circle and Master Mason
  • -- Griphault -- Guardian of the Tremere (missing and presumed dead)

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Lyulin

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population:
Economy:
Places of Interest

  • -- Micro Region 1
  • -- Micro Region 2
  • -- Micro Region 3
  • -- Micro Region 4
  • -- Micro Region 5
  • -- Micro Region 6
  • -- Micro Region 7
  • -- Micro Region 8
  • -- Micro Region 9
  • -- Micro Region 10
  • -- Silver Center Trade Complex
  • -- St. Clement of Ohrid Church

Local Despot: None. Lyulin is has been classified as the city's second rack and is thus, neutral ground.

Local Lore:

Secrets:
Lyulin

Mladost

Description:
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Places of Interest

Local Despot: None, this domain is strongly under the influence of a pack of werewolves.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Nadezhda

Description:
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History:
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Population:
Economy:
Places of Interest

Local Despot: None, the region remains an open feeding ground.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Novi Iskar

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population:
Economy:
Places of Interest

Local Despot: None, this region has been designated the Northern Barrens of Sofia.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Ovcha Kupel

Description:
Location: 6 kilometers wsw from the center of Sofia.
History: This region was once used as a common grazing field for Sofia-area shepherds. At the time, the area was marshy, and sleeping sheep left shallow depressions, which filled with water. Local legend insisted that the water from these "Sheep Fonts" (Ovcha Kupel, in Bulgarian), had healing properties (mostly for sheep, apparently, but some for people too).
Over the centuries, the marsh has been drained, and the river has all but disappeared, but the name has remained.
Mayor: Grozdan Tomov
Governing Body: The City Council of Ovcha Kupel
Police: Sofia City Investigation Service - the local police headquarters, is located immediately south of the NBU campus.
Population: about 50,000 people (up from 47,000 in 2004)
Economy: The region is largely residential, but light manufacturing, higher education, and military bases contribute to the local economy.

Neighborhoods

  • -- Ovcha Kupel the Neighborhood: A solidly middle class neighborhood, by the standards of Bulgaria. It is notable for its smallish highrise apartment buildings surrounded by extensive greenery. To the north-east, the Roma slum of Fakulteta abuts Ovcha Kupel.
  • -- Gorna Banya: This neighborhood marks the western end of urban Sofia. To the west, agriculture and unspoiled wilderness dominate until one arrives in Bankya. Single family homes and upper middle class neighborhoods become increasingly common as one travels west.
  • -- Kniazhevo: A middle class suburb south of Ovcha Kupel and Gorna Banya.

Places of Interest

  • -- 9th Tank Brigade: This military base lies just west of the Kniazhevo suburb.
  • -- Doverie Hospital
  • -- Gorna Bania Bottling Plant: This bright blue building sits atop the Gorna Bania springs and bottles water from the springs, for sale around Bulgaria and Eastern Europe. It sits on the north edge of Ovcha Kupel, within what was once to be "Jubilee Park."
  • -- Zvezdna Svetlina Dvorets Zhotel A luxury hotel located near NBU.
  • -- Gorna Banya Hotel (next to the Mineral Baths)
  • -- Gorana Banya Mineral Baths
  • -- Letechnop Research Campus: Located half a km north-west of NBU, this gleaming new glass and steel research building stands in the middle of a large well-manicured campus. It was built with the proceeds of the corporation's new advanced batteries. The campus takes advantage of the nearness of NBU, hiring many of its students as research assistants as the corporation strives to advance technology and better human life. Just ask their PR department. The name roughly translates as Light-Tech.
  • -- Ovcha Kupel Stadium
  • -- Sestri Evhartstinki Monastery
  • -- State Center for Prosthesis and Rehabilitation Surgery
  • -- St. Panteleimon Orthodox Church and home for the elderly (Southern edge of Kniazhevo)
  • -- Sveti Iliya Chapel
  • -- Ukranian Embassy: The embassy lies south-west of the Ovcha Kupel Stadium, and borders upon the eastern end of Domus Dere Park.
  • -- Zemalyane Bus Depot: Buses leave for Southern and Eastern Bulgaria regularly. The nearby Ovcha Kupel Bus Station provides passengers access to Sofia's transit system.

Parks

  • -- Domus Dere Park - A long thin wedge of greenbelt that enters Sofia through the northern part of Kniazhevo neighborhood, and stops just west of the Ovcha Kupel Stadium.
  • -- Jubilee Park - A crescent shaped relatively open area that wraps around the north-west corner of Ovcha Kupel. It abuts the 9th Tank Brigade to the North-West, and Fakulteta to the east.
  • -- Ovcha Kupel Park - A largish park with poorly defined borders. Within the park, one can find Ovcha Kupel Stadium, several soccer fields, an ice rink, and a horse racing track.

Restaurants

  • -- Chez Paris

Schools

  • -- New Bulgarian University
  • -- L'institut de la Francophonie pour l'Administration et la Gestion - A small College that teaches business, with an emphasis on French models. Located immediately east of NBU.
  • -- Italian Lyceum - A large, Italian-funded secondary school in the south-western part of the Gorna Banya neighborhood.
  • -- Buzema - A large campus just north and east of NBU, this is Sofia's premiere secondary school for teaching agriculture.

Local Despot: Yan Sirkov. This domain is the personal domain of the Ventrue Alastor in perpetuity.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Oborishte

Description:
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Places of Interest

Local Despot: Prince Gustavus von Lothringen. This is the Royal Domain and thus belongs to the Office of the Prince.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Pancharevo

Description:
Location:
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Mayor:
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Places of Interest

Vampire Despot: Valko, Sofia's lone Gangrel resident and the current Scourge of the city.

Kindred Residents: None at this time, the district is small in population and was formerly designated a southern barrens.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Poduyane

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population: 86,000+
Economy: The economy of Poduyane is dominated by rail lines that surround and penetrate it; in addition to the revenue brough into the are by the rail lines, there is Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, the home of PFC Levski Sofia, the district's resident soccer team. Gerena as the stadium is known to locals, seats 30,000+ and carries its own weight in the local economy. There is also an art college, two polyclinics, twenty lower education schools and a wide variety of hyper-markets (supermarkets).

Places of Interest

Churches
Poduyane district has a few relatively new houses of worship with medium sized memberships; but the fastest growing congregation in the district belongs to the House of the Messiah - a non-denominational revival Church that until recently met in the public spaces of the district. In early 2012, the HoM managed to scrap together enough funds to purchase a disused stockyard located in the center of the district between the two main rail lines. The grounds of the stockyard are now home to an estimated one percent of the district's populace which have come to the House of the Messiah to begin a new, pure life under the tutelage of saintly Brother Adam.

Crime
Poduyane as a rail and transit hub of Sofia is of interest to the criminal organizations of the city, undoubtedly the district is a centre for smuggling. In previous years the various security companies 'insured' most of the cargo passing through the district while 'transporting' their own goods; relations between 'companies' was relatively cordial and their was a minimum of strife.

That all changed in 2007 when the city was thrust into the all out Mafya War; the district of Poduyane was hit hard as the war ripped through its various neighborhoods, making smuggling both dangerous and unprofitable. After two years, the situation began to change with the rise of the Knights of St.Georgi, a gang of soccer toughs who hang out in the district to be closer to their favored team PFC Levski Sofia. It remains unknown why the Knights suddenly took an interest in the Mafya War, but they successfully repulsed the company men of the more established organizations through sheer numbers.

The Knights represent the new breed of Sofia gangster, young 'hooligans' from the forgotten neighborhoods of the capital, with nothing to lose, who have risen to prominence in the shadows between the more established companies and their Mafya War.

The Knight's activities are centered around their favored hangout, a well guarded defunct sports bar dubbed 'The Temple Pub',located a few blocks from the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in the neighborhood of Suhata Reka.

Their exact numbers are unknown, but it is estimated that they number two or three hundred and have begun recruiting in the other neighborhoods of the district. At night, they are likely to be encountered on the streets or in a wide variety of dive bars throughout the district; they move in groups of six to a dozen, are lightly armed with an assortment of makeshift weapons, are usually drunk and looking for a fight.

Because of their recent wealth, they have begun to purchase vehicles and small arms off the city's black-market. Until recently their recruitment required only a fanatical love of their favored soccer team and a willingness to fight for the honor of the gang; rumors circulate of secret oaths and requisite participation in the crusades a slang reference to an attack on a security company front or on a recognized soldier of a more organized criminal faction.

Hotels
Only one - the Hotel Primus of Hadzhi Dimitar; it was one of the last gray Soviet monolythic housing projects before the fall of Communism. It was purchased in 2009 by a retired English couple who have invested their life savings in renovating the twenty-five floors of single bedroom, concrete brutalism. What has emerged is a comfortable, high security flop house for train crews and travelers on the cheap. Unfortunately, to make the occasional shortfalls the English couple has started renting out rooms by the hour to 'discreet' couples and so it has started to gain a certain kind of infamy which hasn't hurt business at all.

Hypermarkets
Billa, Domko, Europa, Fantastico, Praktis and T-market.

Neighborhoods
There are seven neighbourhoods in the district.
- Hadzhi Dimitar
- Stefan Karadzha
- Suhata Reka
- Poduyane
- Levski
- Levski-G
- Levski-V

Local Despot: The domain currently houses no vampires. The So-Called "Riot Girls" made their havens here along with Father Adam, but since the ascension of Prince Gustavus, the Catiff and Zorka have left Sofia, at least for now...

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Serdica

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population:
Economy:

Places of Interest

Local Despot: None, the region remains an open feeding ground.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Slatina

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
Population:
Economy:
Places of Interest

Local Despot: Boris Melor, Primogen of Clan Brujah (missing).

Other Kindred Residents: Kalina Gala -- childe of Boris Melor (deceased).

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Sredets

Description:
Location:
History:
Mayor:
Police:
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Places of Interest

Local Despot: Emil na Pes the Primogen of Clan Nosferatu holds jealous mastery of this domain.

Other Kindred Residents

  • -- Zahari -- Nosferatu Brute & Enforcer
  • -- Father Kliment -- Saintly Leper of the Blind
  • -- Mikhail -- Nosferatu Harpy & Military Middleman (formerly: Seneschal of Sofia)

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Studentski Grad -- Rack #1

Description:
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Local Despot: None, no claimant is allowed as this region is designated as the city's First Rack.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Triaditsa

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Local Despot: Svetlana Valentin, Primogen of Clan Toreador in Sofia.

Other Kindred Residents

Local Lore: One of the other vampire residents of Triaditsa was killed by hunters in 2009.

Secrets:

Vazrazhdane

Description:
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Local Despot: None, the region remains an open feeding ground.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Vitosha

[[]]

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Local Despot: Countess Emese Novák the Ventrue Primogen of Sofia holds this wealthiest of all districts as her personal domain.

Local Lore:

Secrets:

Vrabnitsa

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Local Despot: Stefan Chilikov the Ventrue crime lord holds an ever growing sway of his domain.

Local Lore:

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Galleries

























http://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/famous-museums-and-galleries-walk-in-sofia-2937.html

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Restaurants

  • -- Chez Paris -- A favorite French restaurant of the Bulgarian capital. (Location -- Ovcha Kupel)




















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The Traditions

The First Tradition: The Masquerade
Thou shall not reveal thy nature to those not of the Blood. Doing so shall renounce thy claims of Blood.

The Second Tradition: The Domain
Thy domain is thine own concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word while in thy domain.

The Third Tradition: The Progeny
Thou shall sire another only with the permission of thine elder. If thou createst another without thine elder's leave, both thee and thy progeny shall be slain.

The Fourth Tradition: The Accounting
Those thou create are thine own childer. Until thy progeny shall be released, thou shall command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure.

The Fifth Tradition: Hospitality
Honor one another's domain. When thou comest to a foreign city, thou shall present thyself to the one who ruleth there. Without the word of acceptance, thou art nothing.

The Sixth Tradition: Destruction
Thou art forbidden to destroy another of thy kind. The right of destruction belongeth only to thine elder. Only the eldest among thee shall call the blood hunt.

Current Date

  • -- January 7th, 2023 (Saturday)

Rulers of the Blood -- Current and Past

  • -- Gabor the Bulgar -- The 1st and 9th Prince of Sofia (Gabor reemerged in January of 2023 to take control of the city.)
  • -- Basilio the Elder -- The 2nd Prince of Sofia (deceased -- killed during the original Anarch Revolt, probably in Spain)
  • -- Bela Rusenko -- The 3rd Prince of Sofia (deceased -- believed to have been destroyed by the Giovanni during their great purge of the former clan of death)
  • -- Dannika the Michaelite -- The 4th Prince of Sofia (missing -- believed to be still at large)
  • -- Serkhan Pasha -- The 5th Prince of Sofia (Serkhan Pasha ruled throughout the 18th, 19th and half way through the 20th century before he as assassinated by the Bolshevik Brujah)
  • -- Emil na Pes -- The 6th Prince of Sofia (The elder Emil still lives despite being overthrown by the Ventrue and he currently holds the title of primogen of the Nosferatu)
  • -- Brian O'Reilly -- The 7th Prince of Sofia (Ousted by his own clan, the Ventrue, Brian O'Reilly has been accepted by the Ventrue Justicar Lucinde as one of her Archons)
  • -- Gustavus von Lothringen -- The 8th and former Prince of Sofia (He ruled for only a handful of years and his assassination by the Bolshevik Brujah - Kalina Gala in the January Revolution of 2023 leaves the city without a prince when Sofia-Grad most needs leadership.)

Voivode Gabor's Privy Council

The November Proclamation

November 1st, 2016

By the order of the lawful prince of Sofia, Gustavus von Lothringen the Caitiff as the clanless are now known will no longer be tolerated and have until the Year of Our Lord 2017 to make their way out of Sofia and its environs.

Should any clanless remain in the capital city of Sofia after New Years Eve of 2016, those individuals are considered to be under a general blood-hunt in perpetuity as violators of the First Tradition.

Those seen to consort with or aid the clanless are likewise guilty of violating the First Tradition and forfeit any protection they might have had under the laws of the Camarilla.

Furthermore, the lawful prince, does empower the Scourge to hunt such miscreants and does equally empower and enjoin the clans of Sofia to participate in the blood-hunt for the clanless and their benefactors.

Those who take the hearts blood of the clanless and their benefactors are guilty of no crime in the City of Sofia under the protection of its lawful prince Gustavus von Lothringen.

Coteries

Elysium

Current Sites of Elysium (9)
Izgrev - Diana National Sports Complex
Lozenets - Sofia Zoo
Krasna Polyana - Zapaden Park
Krasno Selo - Krasno Selo Market
Oborishte - SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library
Slatina - National Academy of Music
Sredets - Ivan Vazov National Theater
Triaditsa - The National Palace of Culture
Vitosha - National Historical Museum
Proposed New Elysium Sites
Kremikovtsi - The Monastery of St. George the Victorious
Lyulin - St. Clement of Ohrid Church
Ovcha Kupel - Ovcha Kupel Stadium
Poduyane - Georgi Asparuhov Stadium
Serdika - Central Railway Station
Studentski Grad - Mandzha Street

Private Salons

The Children of the Night {31}

Quote: “People's fates are simplified by their names.” - Elias Canetti (Bulgarian Playwright & Novelist: 1905 - 1994)

The Clanless

Since the new prince, Gustavus von Lothringen issued his November Proclamation the resident claness: Liza Taft, her brother Father Adam and the Brujah neonate Zorka have not been seen in the city. There has been a fair number of rumors concerning the trio, but nothing that can be easily verified, the harpies and those who listen to them, believe the trio has left the City of Wisdom for a safer locale. -- AG -- June of 2017 C.E.

LogoClanTzimisce.png The Fiends of Sofia

  • -- Triglav -- 4th generation Tzimisce Koldun
  • -- It's Ancient Domain: The Sofia Valley
  • -- Gabor the Bulgar -- First Prince of Sofia (missing for centuries - probably deceased)

Guests of the City

The guests of the city are not transients, they are by definition vampires of linage and means; all have approached the the Prince or his Seneschal in a timely manner and asked to remain the traditional year and a day. All have arrived in the the calendar year and each has made strong efforts to become an active part of the night society of Sofia; a few have spoken of staying on and making an unlife in the City of Wisdom under the iron-fisted rule of its new prince. - AG: 2011 C.E.

Surprisingly, the new prince, Gustavus von Lothringen has not overturned the year and a day probationary period established by his predecessor Brian O'Reilly. Thus the policy has survived the test of time and continues to be the length of time that a new Kindred must pass in order to even contemplate the possibility of becoming a member of Sofia Grad's night society. - AG: 2020 C.E.

The Itinerants

The itinerants are recognized Kindred who periodically appear in the city to carryout business, but they rarely remain for more than a few weeks a year. - AG

Transients

There have been few transients of note; Sofia's recent history of violence: the Sabbat Siege, near civil war, Mofiya War, a hunter infestation and the rumors of Bisera's disappearance and or death have all had their effect. The remaining hardy or stupid few are usually spotted by the Scourge and run off in a matter of nights. - AG

Those Under the Blood Hunt

In early December 2015, Vullo attacked the then Ventrue Prince Brian O'Reilly and his vampiric sibling Jeremy Sanderson. He demonstrated advanced Koldunism (Earthquake), some Animalism, Celerity 6, and Advanced Vicissitude (Chiroptean Marauder) form. His control over his feral minions seems like a function of advanced Animalism or perhaps Presence. Based on the difference between his claws (bone) and those produced by Protean, as well as his mastery of Vicissitude and Koldunism, I think it is more likely that he is a Tzimisce than a Gangrel. Of course, this is hardly conclusive. When not in Chroptean form, he fights with a Garou Great-Klaive, which he has seemingly mastered so that the fetish works and causes aggravated damage in his hands. Vullo has been interested in occult artifacts in Sofia, searching first for the Damphyr child, and then Miyako Tanaka's Hand-Mirror (Item 93). - Yan Sirkov (December of 2015)

For those interested in matters of policy and procedure, as well as the history of Sofia Grad, let it be noted that the Gangrel known as Vullo the Huntsman remains under the blood-hunt declared by Prince Gustavus' predecessor, nor has the beast-lord been sighted in the last seven years. But like old Marley's ghost, it seems likely that he will reappear at least once more, whether as a harbinger of dark events, or as an indiscriminate slayer of the city's nocturnal denizens remains to be seen. -- AG: 2022 C.E.

Assamite clan logo.png Banu Haqim {2}

  • -- Sukhbataar -- The Elder Assamite of the City of Wisdom
  • -- His Domain: Does he need one? Could anyone stop him from feeding in their district if he were so inclined?
  • -- Gavriil Papadopoulos -- Assamite Bodyguard to Madame Mina
  • -- Domain: None - he now resides within Fakulteta, to better serve Madame Mina.
  • -- Kamiko Tanaka -- (deceased) - Former Assamite Scourge of Sofia - R.I.P. December 1st, 2015

LogoClanBrujah.png Clan Brujah {1}

  • -- Boris Melor -- Primogen of Clan Brujah
  • -- Domain: District of Slatina
  • -- Grigor Boriskovic -- Former Brujah Seneschal of Sofia (Freed by the Bolsheviks in January of 2023, only to become their prisoner.)
  • -- Zorka -- Suicide Girl and Baroness of Poduyane (unofficial vampire despot)
  • -- Kalina Gala -- Harpy & Communist Sympathizer and childe of Primogen Melor (Killed during the January Revolution of 2023)

Gangrel clan logo.png Clan Gangrel {1}

  • -- Valko -- Eco-Terrorist and High Priest of the Cult of Silvanus - The New Scourge of Sofia
  • -- His Domain: The district of Pancharevo.
  • -- Bisera -- The Dog Trainer (deceased)

LogoClanMalkavian.png Clan Malkavian {3}

  • -- Brother Sergius the Mad -- Progenitor of the few Malkavians native to Sofia. (missing, mostly forgotten, presumed deceased, transformed into a Century List artifact.)
  • -- Anastas Grozdan -- Primogen of Clan Malkavian
  • -- Domain: District of Krasna Polyana
  • -- Layla -- Transvestite Entertainer & Entrepreneur

LogoClanNosferatu.png Clan Nosferatu {5}

  • -- Ivailo the Swineherd -- Progenitor of the Nosferatu in Sofia (missing, mostly forgotten, probably deceased)
  • -- Zahari -- Nosferatu Brute & Enforcer
  • -- His Domain: Zahari has no official domain, he resides with his sire Emil.
  • -- Father Kliment -- Saintly Leper of the Blind
  • -- His Domain: None, Father Kliment resides with his sire's brood in Sredets.
  • -- Kutchka -- Former Childe of Emil na Pes & Former Nosferatu Keeper of Elysium (deceased)

Ravnos clan logo.png Clan Ravnos {2}

  • -- Wenzel Xeven - -- Lord of Illusions -- (faked his own death: January 2013)
  • -- Madame Mina -- Former - Keeper of Elysium. Her Domain: The Southern Half of the Fakulteta District

Toreador clan logo.png Clan Toreador {2}

Dead Toreador

Tremere clan logo.png Clan Tremere {5}

  • -- Almiro Suarez -- Tremere Apprentice of the Seventh Circle and Technomancer
  • -- Thomas Wellby -- Apprentice of the Fourth Circle and Master Mason
  • -- His Domain: Officially, Thomas resides in the Tremere Chantry.
  • -- Magenta DiMagro -- Apprentice of the 5th circle (missing and presumed dead after the struggle with Dylan, just resurfaced after a period of torpor)
  • -- Griphault -- Guardian of the Tremere (missing and presumed dead)
  • -- Zlatko Paisi -- Former Tremere Regent of Sofia (deceased)
  • -- Varya Korlov -- Former Regent of the Second Circle (Deceased: January 2013)

Ventrue clan logo.png Clan Ventrue {5}

  • -- Yan Sirkov -- (a.k.a - Jeremy Sanderson) - Technology Mogul & Alastor
  • -- His Domain: Ovcha Kupel
  • -- Raina Lom -- Ventrue Keeper of Elysium, Harpy, and former Siren of the Silver Screen
  • -- Her Domain: Bankya
  • -- Miklos Grubo -- Former Ventrue Primogen (deceased -- 2010)
  • -- Gustavus von Lothringen -- The Eighth Prince of Sofia Grad (deceased - assassinated by the Bolsheviks - January of 2023)
  • -- His Domains: Izgrev and Oborishte
  • -- Diana Toth -- Daughter of the Prince (deceased during the January Revolution of 2023)

The Manus Nigrum {5}

  • -- Layla -- A.K.A. Mariel -- Dominion of the Balkans
  • -- Countess Emese Novák -- Elder Ventrue and senior agent of the True Hand.
  • -- Maja Grimm -- Shadow Crusader and Old Clan Tzimisce
  • -- Yan Sirkov -- True Brujah Kamut leader
  • -- Madame Mina (Мадаме Мина) -- Ravnos antitribu agent provocateur


Probudeniya (Awakened)

Feite (Little People)

Mag’osnitsi (Magi)

Nespokoen Mŭrtŭv (Restless Dead)

Plemena na Lunata (Tribes of the Moon)

Websites

Maps of Bulgaria & Sofia

http://mappery.com/maps/Bulgaria-Cities-Map.gif
(Good detailed map of Bulgaria)

http://www.bgimages.org/bg/gradove/sofia/sofia-map2000.jpg
(Map of Downtown Sofia)

http://www.visittobulgaria.com/visit/maps/detailed_map_SOFIA.png
(Detailed map of Sofia)

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=42.6937286&lon=23.323288&z=15&l=0&m=b&search=sofia%20bulgaria
(Wikimapia Sofia)

Sofia News

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/bulgaria.htm

http://www.bgnewsnet.com/

http://www.bulgarianews.eu/

http://www.bulgariagazette.com/

http://www.ric-bg.info/en/news.php

Fakulteta

http://cinziadambrosi.photoshelter.com/gallery/-/G0000cWyOVV8Y_uE/

http://www.errc.org/article/fighting-for-fakulteta-advocating-roma-housing-rights-in-bulgaria/891

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252675/Were-way-Britain-In-year-29-million-Romanians-Bulgarians-right-settle-Britain-claim-benefits-And-gipsy-community-hardly-wait-here.html

http://servebulgaria.blogspot.com/2012/07/god-is-faithful-in-fakulteta.html

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