Orthodox churches and cathedrals in Sofia city
The major churches in Sofia include the St. George Rotunda, a part of a large archaeological complex, featuring Roman architectural elements, the Sveta Sofia Basilica, the world famous Alexandar Nevsky Cathedral, whose magnificent icons and frescoes admire visitors and worshippers alike.
Being in the city of wisdom, full of historical sites and boasting a variety of monuments and architectural landmarks, you shouldn’t also miss to visit the ancient Boyana church, a building under the auspices of UNESCO, also a fine example of Medieval architecture with unique wall paintings.
You can find here the most prominent orthodox monasteries around Sofia city.
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral |
One of the places which are claimed to be hallmark of Sofia city is the cathedral St Alexander Nevsky, which is the center of the Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarchy.The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral can be easily recognized in the background of nearly all pictures, depicting the centre of Sofia as with its golden-plated doom, it dominates the horizon of Sofia city.
Boyana Church |
The Boyana Church in Sofia city, this fine example of Medieval architecture and unique murals, is under the auspices of UNESCO.The Boyana Church is a medieval church which Sofia’s visitor should explore because of its interesting frescoes and exciting signs of the AntiquityThe Boyana Church was build within the fortress and is a magnificent example of medieval architecture and monumental art.
The St. Petka Samardjiska Church /St. Petka of the Saddlers/ |
The St. Petka Samardjiska Church is one of the few medieval churches which have been preserved in Sofia. The holy shrine was mentioned for the first time in sources from the 16th century. It was built on the foundations of an old Roman temple. Today the church is a monument of culture and a major place of interest not only because of its old history, but also its mural paintings, depicting biblical scenes, which date from different ages//14 th-19 th century/.
St. George Rotunda-the oldest Eastern European Orthodox church |
The Roman Rotunda /the church “St. George”/ is the oldest preserved structure which still serves its original purpose in the Sofia city. The St. George church is the oldest Eastern European Orthodox church.
St. Nikolay Russian church |
The Russian church St. Nikolay is easily distinguished from afar because of its pointed golden cross. The five golden domes and the green steeple outshine pretty much everything else on the central boulevard, where the church is located, and this makes the Russian temple one of the most outstanding places of worship in Sofia.
St. Sofia church- ancient Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia |
The St. Sofia church gave the present name of Bulgaria’s capital city /means "holy wisdom"/ in the late 14th century. The church was originally built on the site of several earlier churches, dating back to the period, when it was the necropolis of the Roman town Serdica, named after the Thracian tribe Serdii who inhabited the region due to the abundance of mineral springs.
Church of the Holy Seven |
The Church of the Holy Seven lies in the center of Sofia. It is one of Sofia’s most impressive neo-Byzantine churches, which once served as an Ottoman mosque.
St. Nedelya church |
The St. Nedelya church is located in the very center of Sofia city. This holy shrine, built in medieval times, is also known as the Church of the Saint Graal.
Rila monastery |
Rila 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 it. The vicissitudes of time forced its location to be changed on several occasions. It has been destroyed by fire, and abandoned by the monks.
St. Paraskeva Church |
The Sveta Paraskeva Church imposing church was built in 1928 by the Bulgarian architect Anton Torniov, who had a reputation for his great interest in the medieval architecture.