Hotels near Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the visual symbol of Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Designed by Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev and built between 1882 and 1912, it commemorates the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died in the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War that liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. The cathedral covers 3,170 square metres and can hold up to 10,000 worshippers. Twelve gilded domes crown a design in the Byzantine Revival style, and the 47-metre central bell tower carries 12 bells with a combined weight of 23 tonnes.

The interior is lined with Italian marble, Brazilian onyx, Venetian mosaics, and 82 murals by Russian and Bulgarian artists including Viktor Vasnetsov and Ivan Mrkvicka. The crypt underneath holds one of the finest collections of Orthodox icons in the world, spanning the 9th to 19th centuries. Entry to the main cathedral is free, but photography inside requires a 10-lev permit purchased at the small kiosk near the north door. The icon crypt has a separate 6-lev ticket.

Pro Tip: Come at 09:00 on a weekday for near-empty interiors and the best morning light through the eastern windows. Sunday morning liturgy at 09:30 fills the cathedral with singing that carries through the whole square, but expect standing room only.