The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the crown jewel of Sofia’s skyline and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Built between 1882 and 1912 as a memorial to the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 that liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule, the cathedral rises in a magnificent composition of Neo-Byzantine domes, arches, and bell towers that dominates the center of the Bulgarian capital.

The cathedral’s gilded central dome soars 45 meters above the ground, flanked by a 53-meter bell tower whose twelve bells can be heard across the city. Stepping inside, visitors are enveloped in an atmosphere of reverent grandeur, where candlelight flickers across walls covered in murals and icons, and the scent of incense hangs in the air beneath vaulted ceilings decorated in gold and marble sourced from Italy, Brazil, and North Africa. The crypt beneath the cathedral houses an exceptional collection of Orthodox icons spanning from the 9th to the 19th century, making it one of the most significant collections of its kind in southeastern Europe. On the square outside, a daily flea market sells antiques, Soviet-era memorabilia, and handcrafted Bulgarian souvenirs.

Pro tip: Visit during a Sunday morning service to experience the cathedral at its most atmospheric, with the powerful chanting of the choir echoing through the vast interior. The outdoor flea market on the adjacent square operates daily and is an excellent place to find vintage Bulgarian textiles, old coins, and communist-era curiosities at bargain prices.