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The Early reddish Christian basilica "St. Sofia" is a symbol of the capital of Bulgaria. It is depicted on the emblem of the city and since the fourteenth century it is the city’s godmother. It was built in the late V century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I the Great. It is considered the oldest Orthodox church in Sofia, survived through the vicissitudes of history.

The history of the church, however, starts earlier - at the time of Emperor Constantine the Great, who frequently visited the city and called it "my Rome". In his order, was erected a small one-nave church outside the city walls, which was later destroyed. There is opinion that "St. Sofia" is today the oldest active orthodox church in the world.

Archaeological surveys and accidental excavations continually reveal new aspects of the Christian antiquity in the city, preserved in the foundations of the church. The first temple of this place was built in the early fourth century. In the mid sixth century the church was completely destroyed by the invasions of Goths and Huns, and so the Emperor Justinian the Great ordered to build it again as large basilica dedicated to God's wisdom ("Sophia" in ancient Greek means "wisdom"), although most people associate its name with the Christian heroism of the martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sofia.

After the Ottoman invasion the basilica was turned into a mosque - minarets were built and its unique wall paintings (found traces of those of XII century prior to those of the Boyana Church) were destroyed. Most probably the first building was destroyed during the earthquake of the mid-15th century. In the late 16th century it was again restored as a mosque by the Ottoman Grand Vizier of Croatian origin Siyavush pasha.

In the nineteenth century the mosque twice overthrow of natural disasters and the authorities decide not to recover it anymore. Thus, "St. Sofia" remained in ruins until the Liberation in 1878, the remaining parts of the building were used as a warehouse and later as a fire station.

"St. Sofia" was restored in 1930 and five years later, Professor Bogdan Filov led a team of specialists in the restoration of the old church. In 1955 the temple and the older Rotunda "St. George " underneath were declared a cultural monument.

Today, the temple was rebuilt as a three-nave basilica with three massive cross altars. The church was restored without a steeple. The church bell is hung on an old tree in the garden in front of the building. At the end of the twentieth century "St. Sofia" underwent further restorations to mimic a more complete form of its medieval appearance. Next to it is placed a memorial of the Unknown Soldier, to which burns an eternal flame in memory of those who died for Bulgaria. Behind the "St. Sofia" churhc is also buried the famous writer Ivan Vazov.