If there is one place in all of Sofia that is considered its most recognisable symbol, it is the Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church, situated on the capital’s distinctive yellow cobblestones. If you look at a map of Sofia today, you will notice that it is situated almost exactly in the centre of the city, or, so to speak, right in the heart of the capital. 

This magnificent Orthodox cathedral preserves the memory of the sacrifice made by all the brave men, both Bulgarians and Russians, who fought and lost their lives in the Russo-Turkish War of 1878, which led to the country’s liberation from five centuries of Ottoman rule. The church was built as a token of gratitude. The choice of the church’s patron, Alexander Nevsky, is a gesture of respect, as he was the personal patron of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who ruled the country during Bulgaria’s War of Liberation. 

It is interesting to note that the main foundation stone of the memorial church is Vitosha granite, a monolithic moraine. It is located in the crypt of the church, originally intended as a pantheon for distinguished and distinguished Bulgarians, but which, since 1966, has been converted into a gallery of medieval Bulgarian icons, a branch of the National Art Gallery in Sofia. You can visit it and admire its grandeur in the so-called “Golden Hall”.

Nowadays, the area around the memorial church is a popular gathering place for young people. It serves as the venue for the annual proms and celebrations for school leavers, which contrast with the tranquillity of the church and are usually held during the last two weeks of May. Here they hold midnight car meet-ups, during which new drivers share the thrill of driving with their friends.

The yellow cobblestones stretching from the Memorial Church to Independence Square have been the most iconic feature of the capital’s landscape for decades. They symbolise the administrative, historical and cultural heart of the city and have witnessed civil protests, military parades, aerial bombardments and sieges. Their history is shrouded in many urban myths and legends, which reinforce their status as an informal cultural monument rich in symbolism. In urban slang today, ‘born on the yellow cobblestones’ or a ‘yellow cobblestone native’ is the embodiment of a member of the elite, an aristocrat, someone with power or at least access to class, luxury and wealth.

The cobblestones extend as far as Moskovska Street, the iconic street that runs from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and is home to a permanent art and antiques market.