| Stauropegial cathedral “St. Alexander Nevski” |
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 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 Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878. The cathedral bears his name.
The magnificent St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church is built to the designs of the Russian architect Pomerantsev in Neo Byzantine style, typical for Russia in the middle of the XIX th century.
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 With five aisles and three altar iconostasis (the central altar, dedicated to St Alexander Nevski, the southern altar to St. Boris, who brought Christianity to Bulgaria, and the northern altar to Saints Cyril and Methodius, who created the Cyrillic alphabet), the cavernous interior of the church is full of interesting details made by both Russian and Bulgarian artists. Some of them are Anton Mitov, professor Boris Mihailov, professor Stefan Ivanov, Vladimir Bolotnov, professor Ivan Markvichka and others. Unfortunately, dim lighting makes some of these difficult to see - such as the expressive paintings of Biblical scenes and saints that cover the walls and ceilings. Other highlights include: Italian mosaics, multi-coloured marble, stained glass windows, huge chandeliers and a throne enhanced by Brazilian onyx and alabaster, once used by Tsars Boris and Ferdinand.
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 Very precious are the icons that illustrate the scenes of “Pentecost”, of “The Annunciation”, and the icon of “St. St. Konstantin and Elena”. The Pearl icon of “The Virgin Mary and the infant” is miraculous. Of high value is the stone from Golgota, put in a nacreous box with the crest of Bulgarian kingdom. It is a gift by patriarch Kiryl.
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 In the crypt of the cathedral, to the left of the main entrance is located the Icon Museum. Here, over 300 exhibits trace the development of Bulgarian icon-painting from the late ninth century up to the end of the nineteenth century. . All eras of Bulgarian icon painting are represented, and many of them are from the famous Tryavna, Samokov and Nessebar schools of iconography - including unusual double-sided icons from the 14th century.
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 The cathedral of “St. Alexander Nevski” is one of the symbols of Sofia. It is the largest church-monument on the Balkan peninsula.
Behind it is situated the building of the National Assembly, and next to it is the Bulgarian Academy of Science. At the left side of the cathedral is the “Holly Synod”.
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Working time of “St. Alexander Nevski” cathedral:
• 7.00 – 17.30
(No day off)
Working time of the Museum:
• 10.00 – 18.00
(Day off: Tuesday)
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Touroperator 
