Ruse, Bulgaria: Holy Trinity Cathedral

The people who built the Holy Trinity Cathedral had a problem. It was in a crowded city neighborhood, and there were regulations on the heights of such buildings. 

What did the good people of the Cathedral do? They started digging.

In other words, you have to go down the stairs to get to the main portion of the cathedral. If nothing else, that's a very unusual starting point for a religious structure.

This was built in 1832, a time when the Ottomans were occupying the region. Its rich history means that it possesses a number of relics of the Bulgarian Orthodox faith, and thus has become a popular destination for pilgrims. 

In 1983, the cathedral was declared a monument of national importance, so it will receive extra care in the years ahead. I was tempted to show you the ornate altar, but decided to show the view from the top of the stairs. 

Someone was nice enough to offer us the chance to go in.