Sveta Nedelya Church (also known as Holy Sunday Church or St. Nedelya Church) is a fascinating structure that has had many forms since its first consecration in the 10th century. The Eastern Orthodox church is a landmark site in Sofia and its history is significant to the story of the city. Explore the enormous nave and see the stunning gilt carved-wood screen that has survived the church’s multiple onslaughts.
The grand 19th-century Byzantine-revival church was established over the site of a modest medieval church, which is believed to have stood on the crossroads of the ancient city of Serdika. After delays to construction by the destructive 1858 earthquake, the church was inaugurated in 1867. It featured a cherished belfry with eleven bells.
As you inspect the church’s magnificent façade and vast nave, you might notice that it is a reconstruction. The original church was destroyed in a lethal bomb blast in 1925, but was meticulously recreated and returned to worshippers in 1933. Admire the expert reconstruction of 19th-century detailing in the Byzantine-revival façade. The church that you see today is an enormous 98-foot (30-metre) structure with a 102-foot (31-metre) central dome.
Inside you’ll see a magnificent colonnade, which was glazed in the 1990s. A stunning mural painted in the early 1970s decorates the walls. Check out the relics of a 13th-century Serbian king, Stefan Milutin, and the magnificent wooden screen of carved icons from 1865 on display within the church. Listen to the sound of the chiming bells, which survived the attack.
Sveta Nedelya Church is open to visitors daily. It’s located at the northern end of Vitosha Boulevard, the main commercial thoroughfare in Sofia. Reach the church via the city’s subway system to Serdika station or visit it while you’re exploring the heart of downtown Sofia on foot. Nearby, you’ll find the Sveta Petka Church, the Church of St. George and the pretty City Garden. Stroll down Vitosha Boulevard to find upmarket retailers and heritage architecture.
