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St.Alexander Nevski (8)
tsvetanar Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 22 W: 3 N: 54] (207)
This is the St. Alexander Nevski Patriarchal Cathedral in the centre of Sofia.
Its construction began in 1878 and finished in 1912, and is named after the saint Alexander Nevski, a Russian knyaz, and part of his relics were brought to Bulgaria and are kept in the cathedral. The church is built in honour to tzar Alexander II after his armies liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878.
The cathedral is even more impressive inside, but it is not appropriate to take photos there.
What is interesting about it is that the crypt of the church is not its belonging, it belongs and is used by the National Art Galery in Sofia where old Bulgarian art is shown - mostly icons, mural paintings fragments, church plate.
This is the biggest orthodox church on the Balkans, and one of the most famous landmarks in the capital Sofia. It's enormous and its golden domes can be seen even from distant parts of the city. I highly recommend you to see this place if you come to Sofia, and if you pass by in the late afternoon - at about 5 p.m., you will hear the huge bells ringing! It's beyond description!
~
After making a more thorough research of the history of the cathedral, I found out a nice coincidence. In fact, the very day I took the photo - 30 august, is actually a day when the Orthodox Christians are honouring the moving of St. Alexander Nevski relics to St. Petersburg where they rest now. I was pretty amazed indeed!
Altered Image #2

tsvetanar Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 22 W: 3 N: 54] (207)
Level adjustment
Edited by:tsvetanar Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 22 W: 3 N: 54] (207)
I decided to post a workshop of this photo because I really wanted to see it a bit brighter and the cathedral to look more outstanding - as it really does in real.
A small change in levels, so that the contrast is higher and some sharpening as well.
Altered Image #1

tsvetanar Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 22 W: 3 N: 54] (207)
color correction and contrast
Edited by:linask Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 275 N: 471] (2409)
I think more visible clouds would make this photo nicer. So I increased both saturation and contrast of the sky area ( selective color and curves tools of photoshop in separate layers). For the building itsels, I also increased contrast, but much less than for the sky.
Also sharpened (smart sharpen tool with radius 0.3, amount 25%).