Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Катедрален храм „Св. Александър Невски“) is the patriarchal cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarch. It is located on Alexander Nevsky Square in central Sofia.

The cathedral was constructed between 1904 and 1912, although the foundation stone was laid in 1882. It was dedicated to the Russian saint Alexander Nevsky and, in a broader context, to Emperor Alexander II, whose forces helped liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878. The cathedral is situated on one of the highest points in Sofia.

Architecture and Dimensions

• The bell tower reaches 53 meters in height, while the dome is approximately 45 meters tall.
• The cathedral is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans, alongside the Cathedral of Saint Sava in Belgrade and the People’s Salvation Cathedral in Bucharest.
• It has a capacity of about 5,000 people.
• The exterior is lined with gray granite and features open galleries on three sides. Some interior paintings were created by the Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov.

Visiting Information

• Entrance to the cathedral is free.
• The cathedral functions as a place of worship and is open for services.
• While the surrounding square currently functions as a parking area, the cathedral itself remains a prominent architectural and historical landmark in Sofia.

Additional Notes

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is both a religious site and a monument to Bulgaria’s liberation. Its size and location make it a focal point of the city center and an important symbol of national identity.