Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky (Alexander Nevsky Church) description and photos - Bulgaria: Sofia (Topic)

St. Alexander Nevsky Church description and photos - Bulgaria: Sofia. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Alexander Nevsky Church.

Photo and description

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the second largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, is considered by many to be one of the architectural symbols of Sofia. This church was built in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who is highly respected by the Bulgarians for their help in gaining national independence, which the country received during the war of 1877-1878, when the Russian army helped Bulgaria to free itself from the Ottoman oppression. The cathedral is named after St. Prince Alexander Nevsky, a great commander who is a symbol of military valor and military glory of Russia. Initially, the temple was planned to be built in the ancient capital of the country (XII-XIV centuries), the city of Veliko Tarnovo, but Tsar Alexander of Bulgaria (Battenberg) insisted on building a temple in the new administrative center - Sofia. Funds for the construction were partially allocated from the state treasury, and were partially donated by patrons and ordinary residents of the city (by the way, the tsar himself allocated 6 thousand gold leva of his personal money for this).

In 1882, the first stone was solemnly was laid in the foundation of the building, but the construction itself began a little later - in 1904, and was completed only in 1912. The cathedral was consecrated even later - in 1924

The church was built by the famous Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev. Building area - more than 3000 sq. meters, capacity - about five thousand people. In the rich exterior, the most attractive are the white stone cladding and gilded domes. The height of the bell tower is 53 meters, 12 bells are installed on it, the heaviest of which weighs about 12 tons. The interior of the cathedral will also not leave indifferent the sophisticated visitor: many valuable icons and frescoes made mainly by Bulgarian and Russian artists, a massive marble iconostasis, skilfully executed patriarchal and royal thrones, pulpit. Another pride of the church is a mosaic panel that depicts King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor. Under the building of the cathedral there is a crypt, which houses a large collection of icons, many of which can be safely called artistic masterpieces.

In the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, daily, Sunday and festive services are held, but christenings, weddings and funeral services (due to its status as a monument, the church does not have a clearly marked parish).

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Topic: Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky (Alexander Nevsky Church) description and photos - Bulgaria: Sofia.