St Paul of the Cross Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Ruse, Bulgaria

St Paul of the Cross Cathedral is a Gothic Revival (Brick Gothic) Catholic church in Ruse, built of red brick to designs by Valentino Dell'Antonio of Moena. Its three-nave interior measures 13 m wide, 26.20 m long and 13.30 m high, and the bell tower rises 31 m. The interior holds Gothic-style woodwork from Bohemia and stained glass made by Sándor Ligeti of Budapest, completed in 1899.

Austrian-Hungarian architect Valentino Dell'Antonio designed this religious building, which was constructed between 1890 and 1892 during a period of urban expansion. The cathedral emerged as Ruse was establishing itself as an important trading center along the Danube River.

The church is dedicated to Saint Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists, who took over the Diocese of Nicopoli in 1781. Its stained glass, made by Sándor Ligeti of Budapest and completed in 1899, shows the Passion and Resurrection, and a window added in 2012 honours four Bulgarian Catholic martyrs killed in Sofia in 1952.

The cathedral stands in central Ruse, a short walk from the Danube riverside and the city's main square. The entrance is on the side facing the street; the three bells hang in the 31-metre tower above. Look for the eight stone friezes with inscriptions set at about 22 metres on the facade. Mass is held in Bulgarian and the building is also used for concerts.

The cathedral houses a pipe organ from 1907 with romantic sound qualities that is the only one of its kind in Southeastern Europe. This rare instrument makes the location of special interest to music lovers and organ enthusiasts.