Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria
No visit to Sofia is complete without seeing Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the best-known buildings in Sofia and is fantastic to view from all angles, including inside.
St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Bulgarian Orthodox place of worship and also a popular tourist attraction in Sofia.
About St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The cathedral was built in the Neo-Byzantine style. The cathedral is huge and occupies an area of 3,170 square metres. The cathedral can accommodate up to 5,000 people inside.
It is a relatively young cathedral compared to others that I’ve visited in Europe. They broke ground in 1882 and then constructed it between 1904 and 1912. Finally, they consecrated it in 1924. This cathedral is among the 10 largest Eastern Orthodox church buildings in the world. It is also the largest cathedral in the Balkan area of Europe.
The cathedral is a cross-domed basilica featuring an emphasised central dome. The cathedral’s gold-plated dome is 45 m high, with the bell tower reaching 53 metres. An interesting feature is that the main central dome has the Lord’s Prayer inscribed around it with thin gold letters.
Taking Photos of The Building
There are loads of parks with views of the cathedral at the edges, and it is a dominant feature of the Sofia skyline. Taking photos early in the morning or after dark is best when all the parked cars have gone.
The Cathedral Bar is a good option for a drink with a view of the rear of the cathedral.
We found that the parks surrounding the cathedral were popular for dog walking, so Henry had multiple visits during his stay in Sofia.
Prices For Visiting Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia
You can visit the inside for free. They open at 7 am each morning and remain open until 7 pm. However, there is a price for taking photos or videos inside the cathedral. They have services each day, and you can find the times on their website.
You can purchase photography tickets at the shop inside, and they display the prices on lots inside by the shop. The cost of taking photographs is 10 lev, and 30 lev for videos. They give you a receipt, and they will ask you to show it inside.
They display other rules at the entrance. This includes the no shorts or skirts rule that you get at many religious sites.
What To See Inside
Entrance & Frescoes
The entrance to the cathedral has some decorative frescoes and carved wooden doors in the covered area.
Entrance Hall
Next up is the entrance hall, which has a shop where you can purchase photo tickets or religious gifts. You can purchase candles here to light inside the cathedral. I was taking photos of the entrance and got pulled up by a priest, who told me I had to buy a ticket. I pulled out my ticket, and he was rather apologetic.
Chandeliers in The Cathedral
Inside, the cathedral is massive and rather dark too; however, it has some chandeliers that impressed me. The chandeliers and ceilings are great to photograph, as nobody photobombs you.
High Altar
At the centre of the cathedral is the beautiful altar, which has some interesting decor, including some artwork. The altar contains relics of Alexander Nevsky, the cathedral’s namesake.
He was a key figure of medieval Russia in the 11th century. Alexander Nevsky subsequently became the patron saint of Alexander II of Russia, who liberated Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire.
Ceiling of The Dome
The gold main dome is a prominent part of the cathedral from the outside. Inside, it has windows which let light in to see the paintings inside the dome.
Smaller Altars
On either side of the main altar, inside the side naves, are two other altars with paintings to the rear.
Art & Frescoes
Inside the cathedral, there are frescoes on the walls, pillars, and ceiling. There are also some framed paintings around the place which seem to be a hotspot for people praying in front of.
There are a few marble statues near the main altar of the church.
Tsar’s throne
The Tsar’s throne is a nice thing to see inside the cathedral. It’s decorative and takes centre stage when you look around.
The Crypt
As an extra, you can also visit the crypt underneath the cathedral. They originally intended it to hold the tombs of high-ranking priests. However, it was repurposed as part of the National Art Gallery, housing medieval and National Revival art.
Review of Visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the most popular places to visit in Sofia. It is a stunning building to see from the outside, especially on a sunny day. The inside is beautiful too and has eye-catching features.
It’s a free attraction unless you want to take photos or videos. I recommend visiting the inside and taking a walk around the area to appreciate the building.