Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria. The city is located in the southern part of Sofia valley and at the foot of the mountains Vitosha and Lyulin. The town was established in the 8th - 7th century B.C. around a mineral spring, which is now in the center of the city. The Romans conquered it in the1st century and called it Serdica. 8 centuries later it was given the name Sredets and since 14th century it is named Sofia. A great number of monuments of architecture have been preserved, such as the Alexander Nevsky Catedral, the Public Theater Ivan Vazov, the Palace of Justice, St.George and St.Sofia churches. Today Sofia is a cosmopolitan city. Sofia is the major economic, scientific and cultural center of Bulgaria. In Sofia are the Bulgarian Academy of Science, the Public Library, many theatres and museums.