Guide to Sofia. Religious sites in Sofia, Bulgaria

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Religious Sites in Sofia

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Rila Monastery
e-mail: webmaster@mybulgariacenter.com
Website: http://rila.mybulgariacenter.com/default.html

The Rila Monastery is situated in a beautiful valley high in the Rila Mountain, some 120 kilometres south from Sofia. Founded in the 10th Century by St John of Rila, it has since then been the most important religious site in Bulgaria. It was especially important during the five centuries of Ottoman rule, when it helped Orthodox Christianity in Bulgaria survive. Nowadays, the Rila Monastery is one of the internationally famous symbols of Bulgaria and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its leading role in social life in the past more than thousand years.

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Boyana Church
e-mail: nmbc@nmbc.orbitel.bg
Website: http://www.boyanachurch.org/

The Boyana Church is located in the neighbourhood of the same name at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. The Orthodox temple was built more than 900 years ago and owes its world fame to its exceptional frescoes from 1259, which are considered among the most complete and best preserved examples of Eastern European Medieval art. This architectural jewel found its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. After 23 years of conservation works the site was re-opened to the public at the turn of the new century. The access however is strictly limited, so that the priceless interior does not get damaged.

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Alexander Nevski Church



The Alexander Nevski Church is situated right in the centre of Sofia amidst the large square of the same name. The imposing neo-Byzantine style temple is one of the biggest Orthodox cathedrals in the world and a prime attraction for tourists. The cathedral was inaugurated in 1912 in honour of the Russians who lost their lives liberating Bulgaria in 1878, although the initial intention was that it should commemorate Tsar Alexander II of Russia. The name of the huge church, which has room for more than 5000 people inside and hosts the largest collection of Orthodox icons in Europe, comes from the patron saint of the Russian royal family.

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The Rotunda of St George



The Rotunda of St George is entirely encircled by massive modern buildings in the heart of the capital. Despite its humble size, the more than 1600 years old temple has immense importance. It is the oldest remaining construction in Sofia and is noteworthy above all for its splendid Medieval frescoes. During the Ottoman rule the Rotunda of St George was converted into a mosque, but in the last 130 years it serves as an Orthodox temple again as well as a museum.

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St Nikolas Russian Church
Address: Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd

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Central Sofia Synagogue
Address: Exarch Yossif 16 Phone: +359 2 831 273

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St Sofia Church



Situated only a couple of metres from the imposing Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Church of St Sofia is another tourist and religious highlight in the Bulgarian capital. The second oldest existing building in Sofia was built under the reign of the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th Century. During the Middle Ages it gave its name to the whole city, before sharing the destiny of many other Christian temples and being turned into a mosque by the Turks. After they were driven out, thorough restoration of the building began lasting for more than a century. Next to the church you will find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the Eternal Flame.

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St Nedelja Church
Address: Vitosha Blvd

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