
If St.George is the oldest church then St.Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia with a long and fascinating history. It is a recently restored Byzantine church. It was built on the site of several earlier churches and places of worship dating back to the days when it was the necropolis of the Roman town Serdica (named after the Thracian Serdii tribe who originally inhabited the area). In the 2nd century, it was the location of a theatre used by the Romans for bloody public spectacles, such as the persecution and sacrifice of Christians in battles against gladiators and various wild beasts. Over the next few centuries, several other churches were erected, only to be destroyed by invading forces such as the Goths and the Huns.

The basic cross design of the present basilica, with its two east towers and one tower-cupola, is probably the fifth structure to inhabit the site and was built during the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian in the middle of the 6th century (527-565). In the Second Bulgarian Empire (12th to 14th century), it acquired the status of a metropolitan church, giving the city its latest name: Sofia (meaning "holy wisdom"). During the Ottoman rule, the church was converted into a mosque: the original twelfth-century frescoes were destroyed and minarets were added. In the 19th century two earthquakes destroyed one of the minarets and the mosque was abandoned. After the Liberation, it was restored and reinstated as a church - there are no Muslim features left.

“St. Sofia” church is now one of the most valuable pieces of early Christian architecture in the Balkans, according to scholars. The present building is a cross basilica with three altars. According to popular lore, St Sophia's miraculous powers protected the lovely building over the centuries, warding off human invasions and natural disasters to keep the church as an instance of the elegant, austere and symmetrical architecture of the age.

Other places of interest in the region

Sofia


The Bulgarian capital Sofia (population: 1 182 698 inhabitants) is located in the Sofiisko pole, 550 m above the sea level and occupies a territory of 1, 311 sq. km. Sofia lies at the distance of 55 km. from the Serbian border at Kalotino checkpoint, ...

Rila monastery


The monastery was founded by John of Rila in the 10th century, as a colony for hermits. Later it became one of early mediaeval culture. It declined during the 11th century, but with the foundation of the Second Bulgarian State great care was taken of ...

Pancharevo lake


Located about 15km south of Sofia on the way to Borovets resort in Rila mountain. Pancharevo Lake is perfect place for outgoings. The lake is 5km long and it is suitable for different water sports: rowing, surfing, water skiing. Paddle boats can be hired. ...

St. Alexander Nevski cathedral


St. Alexander Nevski” cathedral is one of the most significant monuments of culture in Sofia. It was built between 1882 and 1912, in honour of the Russian king Alexander II, called “Tsar Osvoboditel” (“The King Liberator”), because his army helped liberate ...

St. Sofia church


If St.George is the oldest church then St.Sofia is the oldest Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia with a long and fascinating history. It is a recently restored Byzantine church. It was built on the site of several earlier churches and places of worship ...

National Gallery for Foreign Art


The National Gallery for Foreign Art opened doors on 5 November 1985 as an art gallery of the present St. St. Cyril and Methodius International Foundation. It came into life after a decade of collecting and organizational activities. To the works that ...

National Assembly


The building where the 39th National Assembly sits is of historic significance and it is a monument of culture. It was built in 1884-1886 at the design of architect Constantin Yovanovic, who studied in Vienna and Switzerland and authored the design of ...

National Art Gallery


The idea of collecting works and creating an art gallery of the capital occupied the keen councillors at the Municipality even before World War I. Their desire was to collect in one place works by our well-known masters connected mainly with the life, ...

National Ethnographic Museum


The National ethnographic museum was found in 1892 as a part of the National museum. In 1906 the museum became independent museum with a collection from the Bulgarian traditional crafts, suits, woven, decorations, musician instruments. ...

St. George Rotunda


The rotunda is under the protection of UNESCO. It is located behind the Presidency. It was built when Sofia was under the name of Serdica. It was then destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt and turned into a mosque by the Ottomans. Restoration work has revealed ...

St. Nikolai Russian church


The Russian church “St. Nikolai” was built in 1913. Its project belongs to the Russian architect M. Preobravenski and its style is like the churches in Moscow from 17 th century. The temple was decorated by the guidance of A. Smirnov, who took part in ...

Ivan Vazov National Theater


A walk through the park away from Boulevard Tsar Osvoboditel will take you to the impossible-to-miss pink and white Ivan Vazov National Theater, where the National Theater Company performs Bulgarian, as well as international, plays. The theater was built ...

St. Nedelya church


The “St. Nedelya” Church is in the Sofia’s ideal center on the “St. Nedelya” square, dividing the main city traffic artery of two streets: the “Vitosha blvd. and the “Knyaginya Maria Louisa” blvd. It was established in Medieval times onto relics of the ...

St. Petka Samardjiiska church


The “St. Petka Samardjiiska” (St. Petka of the Saddlers) is one of the few mediaeval churches to have survived in Sofia. It is situated in the subway before the Central Department Store, in the geometrical center of the town plan of the old settlement ...

Slaveikov square


...

Vitosha Nature Park


The territory of Vitosha nature park has been changed many times and today is 26 606 hectares, which is over 90% of the total mountain. There are two reserves within the park’s territory – Bistrishko branishte and Torfeno branishte. They have been established ...

Boyana Church


It is one of the most important and valuable antiquities of exceptional historical and artistic significance. It is situated at the foot of the mountain of Vitosha. ...