St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the second largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, many consider one of the architectural symbols of Sofia .  This church was built in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, a very respected Bulgarians for help in gaining national independence, the country received during the war of 1877-1878 . When the Russian army helped Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke free .  The cathedral is named after St. .  Prince Alexander Nevsky, a great commander, who is a symbol of valor and military glory of Russia .  Initially it was planned to build a temple in the ancient capital of the country (XII-XIV centuries . ), Veliko Tarnovo, but Czar Alexander Bulgaria (Battenberg) insisted on the construction of the temple in the new administrative center - Sofia .  The funds allocated for the construction of part of the state treasury, and were partly donated patrons and ordinary residents of the city (by the way, the king has allocated for this 6000 gold levs their personal money) .

In 1882, the first stone was solemnly laid in the foundation of the building, but the building itself began a little later - in 1904, and was completed only in 1912. Sanctify Cathedral later - in 1924

The church was built by the famous Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev. Building area - 3000 square meters. m, capacity - about five thousand people. The rich are the most attractive exterior cladding of the facade of white stone and gold-plated dome. The height of the bell tower - 53 meters, it has 12 bells, the heaviest of which weighs about 12 tons. The interior of the cathedral is also not indifferent to the sophisticated visitor: many valuable icons and frescoes, made mainly Bulgarian and Russian artists, a massive marble iconostasis, elaborately made patriarchal and imperial throne, the pulpit. Another pride of the church - the mosaic that depicts King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor. Under the building of the Cathedral is the crypt, which houses a large collection of icons, many of which can be considered artistic masterpieces.

The Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky pass daily, Sundays and public services, but are not held baptisms, weddings and funerals (due to its status as a monument to the church does not have a clearly defined arrival).