The Cathedral of Saint Joseph is located in the central area of Sofia, close to Sveta Nedelya Church and Square. Initially, the construction of the old temple began in October 1875. As the Catholic community grew in Sofia in the early 20th century, the parish increased from 50 families to 2,000 people, and many cultural and educational activities developed. During the 1944’s bombing of Sofia, the cathedral was destroyed, but the statue of the Virgin Mary of Lourdes was preserved intact.
The Catholic Community in Sofia
The Catholic community in Sofia worshipped in a small hall for over 50 years until Cardinal Angelo Sodano built and consecrated the new temple in 2006. The new building of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph is impressive, measuring 23 meters long, 15 meters wide, and 19 meters high, with a bell tower that stands 33 meters tall. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph is managed by order of the Capuchin Little Brothers, a religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph is part of the Square of Tolerance. It is located near other religious buildings, such as a mosque, a synagogue, and an Orthodox church, showcasing Sofia’s tolerance and co-existence of different religions.
