Two of Sofia's landmarks - Alexander Nevski Square and Alexander Nevski Cathedral - were both named after the great Russian national hero and martyr Saint Alexander Nevski, an inspiration to the Russian army during the Russian-Turkish war (1877 - 1878).

Born in 1220 in the town of Novogorod, Nevski was the son of the grand duke of Novogorod, Yaroslav Vsevolodovich. Since his early childhood, Alexander stood out for his great patriotism, wisdom, courage and devotion.

In 1236, he became an independent duke of Novogorod during a very hard period for Russia. From the south and east the Tatar tribes were ravaging its lands. At the same time the Swedes and Germans were pressing forward in the area around Novogorod. A large Swedish army attacked the town by land and by the Neva River. Even though the aggressors substantially outnumbered them, the small army of people from the town led by the young duke Alexander fought back the enemy and achieved a glorious victory in 1240.

The battle gave birth to many folk legends, which gave Alexander the surname of Nevski, after the name of the Neva River. Later, the town of Saint Petersburg was built on the scene of the famous battle.

Nevski was also very successful in holding at bay the Germans and Tatars as well as the Lithuanians and Finns, all of who were aspiring to gain territory in Russia.

In 1242, Nevski routed the Teutonic Knights, sent by Pope Gregory IX to christianize the Baltic region.

Nevski kept good relations with the Golden Horde, the Mongol army that swept over Eastern Europe in the 13th century and established a suzerain in Russia. This is thought to have protected the Russian people from the usual ravages of the Mongol occupation. In 1262, at the request of Nevski, the Mongols exempted Russians from their military draft.

With his successes on the battle field, Nevski earned the reputation of the most prominent military commander in the early history of Russia.

As a devoted Christian and dedicated member of the Orthodox Church, Nevski relinquished the title of Duke along with the glory and honours that went with it in order to become a monk, taking the name Alexi. He died in 1263.

His relics were brought to Saint Petersburg and, in 1547, his icon was added to the icons of other saints. In 1725, the Russian empress Ekaterina I instigated an order after his name, which has just one class and is presented only to people of special merit.

The commemoration of Saint Alexander Nevski takes place on August 30, the date when his relics were removed, and on November 23, the day of his canonization.

The foundation stone of the Alexander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia was laid in 1882. Construction work began in 1904 and came to an end in 1912. In 1998, the Russian Orthodox Church sent a small part of Alexander Nevski's miracle-making relics to Bulgaria. They are now kept in the Cathedral.