Alexander Nevski
St Alexander Nevski Cathedral
St Alexander Nevski Cathedral, also known as Alexander Nevski Memorial Church, is one of Sofia's most famous monuments. It was built between 1882 and 1912 in honour of the Russian soldiers who died trying to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the War of Liberation in 1878. The Cathedral is named after the "Tzar Liberator" prince Alexander Nevski who lead the army. He was the patron saint of the family of the Russian Tsar at the time, Alexander II.
St Alexander Nevski Cathedral, also known as Alexander Nevski Memorial Church, is one of Sofia's most famous monuments. It was built between 1882 and 1912 in honour of the Russian soldiers who died trying to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the War of Liberation in 1878. The Cathedral is named after the "Tzar Liberator" prince Alexander Nevski who lead the army. He was the patron saint of the family of the Russian Tsar at the time, Alexander II.
St Alexander Nevski Cathedral, often regarded as the Heart of Sofia, is surmounted by copper and golden domes thanks to which the church is considered to be the finest and the most fascinating stucture in Bulgaria and on the Balkans, as well. Its neo-Byzantine style, typical of 19th-century Russian church architecture, features a monumental gradation of arches, semi-domes and domes covering an area of 3170 square meters. Inside the St Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the icons, frescos, murals and huge chandeliers represent the hard work of 32 Russian and 13 Bulgarian craftsmen and artists. The five-aisle interior is also decorated with three altar iconostases, multi-colored Italian marble, Brazilian onyx and Egyptian alabaster, Venetian mosaics and stained glass windows, along with fine wood carvings and plenty of shimmering gold. Some of the more remarkable murals are "The Lord God Sabbath" on the central dome; "Christ with the Doctors in the Temple" by Ivan Mirkvichka, and "The Apocalypse" in the choir balcony.
