Patriarchal Cathedral St. Alexander Nevsky

The Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky dominates the Sofia skyline with its massive, gold-plated central dome and green copper roofs. Constructed between eighteen eighty-two and nineteen twelve, the cathedral serves as a memorial to the two hundred thousand Russian soldiers who died for Bulgaria’s independence during the Russo-Turkish War. Inside, the walls display Italian marble and onyx, but the crypt houses a collection of Eastern Orthodox icons. King Ferdinand once argued with the architect over where to place his royal throne.