The cathedral was created in honor of the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, as a result of which Bulgaria was liberated from Ottoman rule. It is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of the symbols of Sofia and a primary tourist attraction.
The Cathedral is a sign of the gratitude of the Bulgarian people to the Russian people, and the initial intention was to use precious materials for the construction of the interior. So a lot of high-quality marble, gold, and even precious stones were used. The walls were covered by precious frescoes made by eminent Russian, Chechen, and Bulgarian artists and painters. The gilded domes of the Cathedral can be seen from Mount Vitosha (another symbol of the city).
