The St. ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL is a Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in SOFIA, the capital of BULGARIA, built in Neo-Byzantine style, and it is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the WORLD, as well as one of SOFIA's symbols and primary tourist attractions.
   The Cathedral occupies an area of 3,170 square metres and can hold 10,000 people inside.
The ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL is a cross-domed basilica featuring an emphasized central dome. The cathedral's dome is 45 m high, with the bell tower reaching 53 metres.
   The temple has 12 bells with total weight of 23 tons, the heaviest weighing 12 tons and the lightest 10 kilograms.
   The construction of the St. ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL started in 1882 (having been planned since 19 February, 1879), when the foundation stone was laid, but most of it was built between 1904 and 1912.
   Saint ALEXANDER NEVSKY was a Russian prince and the cathedral was created in honour to the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, as a result of which BULGARIA was liberated from Ottoman rule.
   The cathedral was designed by ALEXANDER POMERANTSEV, aided by ALEXANDER SMIRNOV and ALEXANDER YAKOVLEV, as the initial 1884-1885 project of IVAN BOGOMOLOV was radically changed by Pomerantsev (i.s.).