Saint Sofia Church
Saint Sofia Church
4.5
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Serdica
How to get there
- St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,350 within 3 miles
Attractions
268 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- raybyerleyMandeville, Louisiana4,698 contributionsOne of the oldest, maybe the oldest building in Sofia + catacombs under Oct. 6This was our next stop after the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. We also went underground through the catacombs / necropolis. One picture outside, one of altar area, and one of the catacomb are attached. It was all very interesting and historic.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 October 2023
- John EBristol, United Kingdom22 contributionsInteresting findVery interesting visit. Firstly to look around the church then to be able to go underground to the visit the museum necropolis holding more than 50 tombs and mosaics. It is free to enter the museum for the over 65’s.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 July 2024
- CipsontheroadRome, Italy73 contributionsDON'T MISS THE NECROPOLISThe church that gives its name to the city has been destroyed and rebuilt serveral times since the Roman era. Inside there is no art work but a visit to the necropolis is worthwhile. Archaelogical digs have found numerous tombs and frescoes and the whole area is accessible thru a series of underground passages and stairs.Visited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 9 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
985 reviews
Excellent
509
Very good
331
Average
134
Poor
9
Terrible
2
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Steviefull
Kidderminster, UK2,066 contributions
May 2022
Our walking tour finished here, with this church site dating back to around the 4th century. Around 1000 years later it gave the city its name, rumoured to be because of its hill top location it was one of the first buildings that could be recognised when approaching.
The history of the building is interesting without doubt but the part that was weird was the location of the bell/bell tower, hint if looking at the church turn around and look up.
Historically interesting and if you are at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral which is a major tourist spot then you are just a couple of minutes away.
The history of the building is interesting without doubt but the part that was weird was the location of the bell/bell tower, hint if looking at the church turn around and look up.
Historically interesting and if you are at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral which is a major tourist spot then you are just a couple of minutes away.
Written 9 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
toshi2006
Nishio, Japan1,320 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
St. Sophia Church is a historic church made of bricks. The inside of the church is relatively simple, but it has a calming effect. There is a fee to visit the ruins underground, but we were able to see a little bit for free through glass.
Written 10 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danybambi
Bagolino, Italy7,748 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
This church is located a few steps from the Cathedral and has a particular style because externally it doesn't even look like a church, simple red brick. Over the course of history, it was transformed into a mosque for a period and all the frescoes present were destroyed. This is why it is bare and simple but on the lower floors you can visit the remains of a Roman necropolis by paying 6.00 levs (€3.00). Free entry, you have to pay to take photos or videos.
Written 19 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jorge S
Porto, Portugal722 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
This church is notable, dating from the 6th century, the oldest and, apparently, it gave the city its name. It is built with red bricks, from the walls, to the arches and even the ceiling, which is very unusual and remarkable. Just the work that must have taken time to build gives us pause! It has a white altar, which provides a very interesting contrast with the rest of the building. It's relatively big. The entrance has two beautiful stained glass windows. At the bottom there is a museum and Roman ruins that are worth exploring.
Written 17 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cipsontheroad
Rome, Italy73 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
The church that gives its name to the city has been destroyed and rebuilt serveral times since the Roman era. Inside there is no art work but a visit to the necropolis is worthwhile. Archaelogical digs have found numerous tombs and frescoes and the whole area is accessible thru a series of underground passages and stairs.
Written 9 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leif B
Pietarsaari, Finland3,079 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
The Saint Sofia Church is the oldest church in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, dating to the fourth century. In the 14th century, the church gave its name to the city, previously known as Serdika. The church is at a place,which was the necropolis of the Roman town of Serdika. It was interesting to walk under the church and see tombs and frescos from the ancient necropolis.
Written 2 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abovetheclouds
2,321 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
I expected more. For me this was OK. I walked around, browsed and left. I didn't bother with the museum downstairs. Free to enter the Church but you have to pay for the museum. Maybe I was tired after visiting multiple religious buildings in the morning before this but I really didn't appreciate this Church.
Written 1 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJ
Berlin, Germany697 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Small church right across from the Nevsky cathedral (2m walk). Interior nothing too impressive (all brick, no frescoes) yet the necropolis it’s build on definitely worth a look (stairs in the left when coming in). It’s a 6 BGN fee for adults.
Written 13 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kmaria1202
Baton Rouge, LA245 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
This church is so interesting! Not only is the interior beautiful, but it rests above centuries-old ruins that are available to tour. If you like ancient history, this church - and what's underneath! - is well worth a visit!! (Plus it's easy to visit because it's so close to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.)
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dcablo
la massana, andorra7,304 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Modest church on the outside, but very important historically and beautiful on the inside. Among other things, important for giving the city its name. There is a crypt, for which you have to pay entry, we did not enter. Curious that the church bell is hanging on the tree in front of the entrance
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Could you tell me how you got to see the underground museum?
Thanks
Written 17 April 2019
A Tripadvisor member
69 contributions
hi there
You can down into the vault of the museum very easily... the entrance is inside the church.... if you are facing the altar it is to your left by the far wall.... you go down some steps and you will find the lady.. it was when we were there... selling the tickets.. you then have free reign to walk around under the church!
hope that helps
ps we all thought it very worth while going down there!
Written 17 April 2019
Hi, Could you tell me how to get tickets for this please?
Written 27 January 2019
It is free to enter the church. If you want to take pictures inside you have to pay at the place where you pay for candles and postcards (10 lev). To the left of the main entrance you find a door behinde it are some stairs down to the crypt with some stunning icons (5 lev approx)
Written 5 February 2019
I am planing to visit Sofia Bulgeria. I would like to know the special tourist visit area can you give me tips.
Written 13 June 2017
I would agree with what's posted above and add a few points. Find the central Mosque, it's close to the 'Largo' with all it's wonderful Roman ruins on display. Wander down Pirotska St, you'll pass the old indoor market and the central Synagogue. All worth visiting.
Pirotska is a busy shopping street and there's a nice hotel there, called St Sofia. The rooms are very good and the price is quite reasonable.
Carry on down and you'll find the famous Ladies Market. It's been gentrified recently but still has plenty of charm and colour. Be sensible though and don't wave huge wads of cash around while shouting in another language.
Finally, it's Bulgaria... spelled with an 'a'.
Have fun!
Written 14 June 2017
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