In the perfect center of Sofia, a church with golden domes towers above the building of the National Parliament, the Univesity of Sofia and the statue of the Russian Tzar Alexander II, named Alexander the Liberator by the Bulgarian people. Alexander Nevski Cathedral is one of the main symbols of the city and the biggest cathedral in the country.

The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia occupies an area of 3,170 square metres (34,100 sq ft) and can hold 10,000 people inside. It is the second biggest cathedral located on the Balkan Peninsula.

Named after St. Alexander Nevski, a Russian Tsar who saved Russia from invading Swedish troops in 1240 and the patron saint of Tsar Alexander II, who was also referred to as Bulgaria’s Tsar Osvoboditel (Liberator), since it was his troops that finally brought about Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule.The foundation stone of Sofia’s biggest church was laid in 1882. Built between 1904-1912 in the Neo Byzantine style, typical for Russian churches in the 19th century, the cathedral is 76 metres long and 53 metres wide and is said to hold up to 7000 people. It covers an area of 2600 square metres. The belfry is 52 metres high and houses 12 bells.

Some of Russia and Bulgaria's best artists of the time worked on the interior with its five aisles and three altars. Sienna and Carrera marble in the entrance area, stained glass windows, Venetian mosaics and dramatic murals such as The Lord God Sabbath in the main cupola, and The Day of Judgement above the exit, onyx and alabaster columns on the thrones all add to the richness of the interior without making it in any way gaudy. The spectacular external golden domes were covered in gold leaf, donated by Russia in 1960 and have recently been regilded.The Russian architect A.N.Pomerantsev is also the architect of the famous GUM (State Department Store) in Moscow.

The Alexander Nevski Cathedral is main tourist attraction in Sofia. Although not so glamorous as the most famous catholic cathedrals, this one bears its own aura. Don’t forget to visit it after your arriving in Bulgaria. You can get there via flight to Sofia.