St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

"The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, built in the neo-Byzantine style, stands as one of the largest and most prominent landmarks in the Bulgarian capital. This cathedral is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky and was constructed to honor the Russian soldiers who perished in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, a conflict that ultimately liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. The cathedral reaches a height of 45 meters, with its bell tower rising to 50.52 meters and housing twelve bells. Spanning an area of 3,170 m², it can accommodate more than 5,000 worshippers. The interior is designed in an Italian style, adorned with alabaster and a variety of precious materials, contributing to its majestic appearance. Construction of the cathedral began in 1882, though the plans had been drawn up as early as 1880. After several interruptions, work resumed in 1904 and was completed in 1912. The primary architect was Alexander Pomerantsev, assisted by Alexander Smirnov and Alexander Yakovlev, who based their work on an earlier design by Ivan Bogomolov. The final design, finished in 1898, brought together sculptors, painters, and artists from across Europe to complete the intricate decorations. Initially dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius, the cathedral was renamed in 1924 to honor Saint Alexander Nevsky. Part of the cathedral is now home to a museum that houses a significant collection of Bulgarian icons, making it one of the most important collections in Europe and part of the Bulgarian National Gallery."

"It is the main attraction of the city, as well as the symbol of Sofia. It was built in 1904 to celebrate the liberation of Bulgaria, at the hands of the Russians, from the hegemony of the Ottoman Empire. The structure is decorated with green and golden domes that dominate the 'outside and inside it has 5 large naves that can accommodate up to 6000 people. Inside, the church boasts wonderful frescoes, more than 300 paintings and refined marble finishes, as well as the relics of the Russian prince Alexander Nevskij kept in a shrine next to the altar. 👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Church Sveta Sofia (220m- 1 min). Metro stop: Su Sveti Kliment Ohridski, lines M1 and M4. 🎟️Ticket cost: free entry If you want to delve deeper into your visit you can visit the museum of Russian icons set up in the cathedral's crypt. The ticket costs 6.00 BNG (around €3)."

"One of the most famous landmarks in Sofia is St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an impressive Orthodox cathedral. Looming over the entire cityscape, it claims to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the region, located right in the heart of the capital city. It is one of the top 50 largest Christian churches in the world and it serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria. St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century to honour the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War."