The Alexander Nevsky Crypt, Sofia

The Crypt of Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia houses the largest collection of Bulgarian Old and Medieval Christian Art. This collection includes numerous icons, murals, and artifacts that trace the evolution of Christian Art in Bulgaria from its origins to the Revival Period.

The exhibition in the Crypt was established in the 1960s, coinciding with a shift in ideology away from aggressive atheism under socialism. This change led to a new perspective on medieval religious art, viewing it as part of our national cultural heritage rather than religious propaganda. This shift enabled collaboration among Bulgaria's museums and collections, showcasing the rich and diverse Orthodox art.

Iconography plays a central role in this exhibition, while monumental and applied arts are only briefly touched upon. The Crypt does not attempt to provide a complete chronological or contextual presentation; rather, it primarily serves as an illustrative showcase of the various forms and functions of Orthodox art.

Icons in Orthodox Christianity are culturally and socially significant. The Crypt features rare ceramic icons from early Christian times, high-quality 13th and 14th-century icons, elaborately adorned 16th and 17th-century icons from different regional schools, and exquisite works from the Revival period. Witness the evolution of artistic schools and the incorporation of foreign influences into this traditional art form.

The exhibition in the Crypt offers a glimpse into a mystical world where the divine and the human are presented as a harmonious unity.