The Russian Church of St. Nicholas

The St. Nicholas Russian Church (Tsurkva Sveta Nikolai) is located in the center of Sofia, at the intersection of Rakovska and Tsar Osvoboditel streets. It is one of the most remarkable buildings in Sofia. It was built in the period between 1907 and 1914, designed by Russian architect M. Preobrazhensky and at the initiative of the Russian Embassy. The wall paintings are works of Russian artists, under the direction of Vasiliy Perminov.

The five domes of the church are covered with gold and the bells were donated by Russian Emperor Nicholas II. Until 1947 monks of the so-called Russian Orthodox Church Abroad worked in the temple, and the temple was a center for the many Russian emigrants to Bulgaria. After 1947 it was given to the diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate, which still runs it today.