Hagia Sophia Church
The 6th-century basilica that gave the city its name, standing across the square from Alexander Nevsky.
Red-brick Hagia Sophia basilica in Sofia
What to expect at Hagia Sophia Church
Sofia takes its name from this church, not the other way around. Hagia Sophia — Holy Wisdom — was built around 537 AD in the reign of Justinian, on the site of two earlier Christian basilicas and a Roman necropolis. The current red-brick building is the fifth church on the spot; it survived Ottoman conversion to a mosque, two 19th-century earthquakes that felled its minaret, and Communist neglect. It gave its name to the city in the 14th century, when locals began calling the whole town after the church rather than by its old name of Sredets.
The interior is austere compared to Alexander Nevsky across the square — bare brick, cross-vaulted ceilings, almost no decoration. The power is in the space and the age. Beneath the church is one of Sofia's best-kept secrets: a Roman and early Christian necropolis with 56 tombs, mosaic floors from four separate 4th- to 6th-century churches, and glass walkways over the excavated ground. Outside on the terrace, the tomb of the unknown soldier burns with an eternal flame, and Ivan Vazov — Bulgaria's national poet — is buried under a granite slab to the east.
Do the necropolis. Almost no tour group includes it and it is the more interesting half of the site. Buy the $4 ticket at the small booth to the left of the main entrance. Combine with Alexander Nevsky directly opposite for a one-two of Sofia's spiritual heart, or continue down Moskovska Street to the Russian Church five minutes west. Weekday mornings are peaceful; Saturday afternoons see many weddings in the church itself.
Questions about Hagia Sophia Church
The church is free. The underground necropolis is $4 for adults, $2 for students.
No dedicated free days, but the church above is free at all times.
20 minutes for the church, 40 minutes for the necropolis — about an hour combined.
The church opens daily. The necropolis is closed on Mondays.
No booking is required for either.
Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski on Line M1, five minutes walk. Serdika is an easy ten-minute walk.
Hotels near Hagia Sophia Church
Every hotel we cover in Oborishte
- Oborishte 63 Boutique Hotel 4★ · 4.4/5 · 5288 km away
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