Church of St. Nicholas, Sofia

The Church of Saint Nicholas of Mirliki is an Orthodox church situated in the heart of Sofia. According to historical accounts, the original church was constructed by Emperor Constantine the Great himself, who declared Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. This architectural marvel dates back to the early 4th century and was built alongside a grand palace complex meant for the emperor.

Moving forward into the Middle Ages, specifically the 13th century, Sevastocrator Kaloyan chose this location to establish his residence and a new church. He did so by repurposing a Roman palace and an early Christian temple, respectively. During the period of Ottoman rule, the church was known as Sveti Nikola Golemi.

Historical records indicate that the church underwent renovations during the Bulgarian Renaissance. However, in 1944, during the bombing of Sofia, the three-aisled basilica that had stood the test of time was tragically obliterated.

In the 1950s, a new, smaller church was constructed under the guidance of Patriarch Kirill. To pay homage to the original temple, certain parts of the medieval structure's walls have been preserved, visible within the church's interior from its northern side.

Every year, hundreds of residents of Sofia visit this small chapel to be blessed by the saints. Its feast day is on December 6.