Sofia Valley

TheSofia Valley(Bulgarian:Софийска котловина,romanized:Sofiyska kotlovina), orSofia Field(Bulgarian:Софийско поле,romanized:Sofiysko pole), is a valley in central westernBulgariaborderingStara Planinato the northeast, theViskyar,Lyulin,VitoshaandLozenmountains to the southwest, theVakarel Mountainto the southeast and the low Slivnitsa Heights to the northwest.

After the valley's bottom was formed, the stream of theIskar Riverwas blocked and the whole valley became a lake, causing the gritty and clay-like soils that now cover most of the valley. The lake ceased to exist when the river drove through the Stara Planina, forming theIskar Gorge.

The Sofia Valley is rich inmineral springssuch asGorna Banya,PancharevoandBankya,which are, together with the valley's predisposal to seismic activity, the result of its fault character.

View overSofiaCity and Sofia Valley from the foot of theVitoshaMountains. TheStara Planinaare on the horizon; the entrance to theIskar Gorgeis in the middle of the photo.