Saint Sophia Church, Moscow

Saint Sophia Church sits on Balchug Island facing the Moscow Kremlin, displaying five domes topped with crosses and a three-tiered bell tower. The stone structure occupies a distinctive position along the riverbank with architectural details that reflect centuries of Russian building traditions.

A wooden church first stood on this site in 1493 before the current stone structure was built in 1682. The following centuries brought modifications that shaped the building into its present form.

The church maintains Eastern Orthodox traditions through daily services and a dedicated choir that sings in traditional Church Slavonic. Visitors can observe these practices during worship and hear the resonant singing throughout the building.

The church holds services daily, with multiple sessions on Sundays for worshippers. Visitors should dress modestly and plan to visit during service hours when the building is open to the public.

The bell tower houses the largest parish bells in central Moscow, including a main bell weighing seven tons. These bells were restored in recent years and create a distinctive sound across the neighborhood.

Location: Yakimanka District

Inception: 1682

Website: http://hram-sofia.ru

GPS coordinates: 55.74767,37.62186

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:41