Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
by lesser-known artists. Minor sketches by Renoir and Matisse and works by Gustave
Courbet are on show too.
ALEKSANDER NEVSKI MEMORIAL CHURCH
One of
the
symbols not just of Sofia but of Bulgaria itself, this massive, awe-inspiring
church
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(pl Aleksander Nevski; admission free; 7am-7pm)
dominating pl Aleksander Nevski was built
between 1882 and 1912 in memory of the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria's independence
during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78). It is named in honour of a 13th-century Russian warrior-prince.
Designed by Russian architect AN Pomerantsev, the church was built in the neo- Byzantine style favoured in
Russia at the time and is adorned with mosaics and gold-laden domes. The cavernous, incense-scented interior is
decorated with naturalistic, though now rather faded, murals, pendulous chandeliers and elaborate onyx and ala-
baster thrones.
Visitors are welcome and there are daily services where you can hear evocative Othodox chants and prayers.
A door to the left of the main entrance leads down to the
Aleksander Nevski Crypt
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(Museum of Icons; pl Aleksander Nevski; adult/student 6/3 lv; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun; 1)
. It displays Bul-
garia's biggest and best collection of religious icons dating from between the 5th and 19th centuries, brought here
from churches all over the country.
SOUTH OF PLOSHTAD ALEKSANDER NEVSKI
Monument to the Soviet Army
( Kliment Ohridski)
Near the entrance to Borisova Gradina, this gigantic monument
was built in 1954 and is a prime example of the forceful socialist-realism of the period.
The place of honour goes to a Red Army soldier atop a column, surrounded by animated
cast-iron sculptural groups depicting determined, gun-waving soldiers and grateful, child-
caressing members of the proletariat.
MONUMENT
Borisova Gradina
PARK
