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Triangle of Religious Tolerance

Orthodox Christianity is the official religion of Bulgaria (80+% of people consider themselves Orthodox) but the religious communities coexist peacefully within the country. Here are some churches, a mosque, and a synagogue that we visited while in Sofia.

below: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — named after 11th century Russian prince Alexander Nevsky and built to honor those who lost their lives during the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878, which liberated Bulgaria after 500 years of Ottoman control

below: St Nikolas Russian Church, also known as Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker… built on the ground of a destroyed mosque after Russia liberated Bulgaria

below: Banya Bashi Mosque, completed in 1566 during the years of Ottoman control… the only functioning mosque in Sofia

below: Sofia Synagogue… the largest synagogue in Southeastern Europe

below: St George Rotunda Church, built by the Romans in the 4th century AD

below: Cathedral of St Joseph… a Roman Catholic Church in Sofia

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