Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the patriarchal cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It is located on the square of the same name.

The majestic cathedral was erected in the early twentieth century by the architect Pomerantsev in honor of Russian soldiers who died during the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish domination during the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-78.

The cathedral is made of granite and white stone and is decorated with eaves, friezes and columns. 12 bells from the bell tower were cast in Moscow.

The interior of the church used Italian marble, Brazilian onyx and African alabaster. The frescoes and carvings were made by 32 Russian and 13 Bulgarian artists. The central altar is dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky, the southern - St. Boris, who brought Christianity to Bulgaria, the northern – St. Cyril and Methodius.

In 1964, the Museum of Icons opened in the underground crypt of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which exhibits more than 300 icons and frescoes from all over the country from the period of the 9-19 centuries.