Church of Saint Sophia in Nesebar, Bulgaria - reviews,open hours,photo spots,things to do

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The Saint Sofia Church (Bulgarian: църква „Света София“, tsyrkva „Sveta Sofia“) is the oldest church in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, dating to the 4th century. In the predecessor building took place the Council of Serdica held most probably in 343 and attended by 316 bishops. In the 14th century, the church gave its name to the city, previously known as Serdika (Сердика). The church was built on the site of several earlier churches from 4th c. and places of worship dating back to the days when it was the necropolis of the Roman town of Serdica. In the 2nd century, it was the location of a Roman theatre. Over the next few centuries, several other churches were constructed, only to be destroyed by invading forces such as the Goths and the Huns. The basic cross design of the present basilica, with its two east towers and one tower-cupola, is believed to be the fifth structure to be constructed on the site and was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the middle of the 6th century (527-565). It is thus a contemporary of the better-known Hagia Sophia church in Constantinople.[1] During the Second Bulgarian Empire (spanning the 12th to 14th centuries), the structure acquired the status of a metropolitan church. In the 14th century, the church gave its name to the city. In the 16th century, during Ottoman rule, the church was converted into a mosque: the original 12th-century frescoes were destroyed and minarets were added. In the 19th century, two earthquakes destroyed one of the minarets and the mosque was abandoned. Restoration work was begun after 1900. The Saint Sofia Church is now one of the most valuable pieces of Early Christian architecture in Southeastern Europe. The present building is a cross basilica with three altars. The floor of the church is covered with complex Early Christian ornamental or flora and fauna-themed mosaics. The Saint Sofia Church stands in the middle of an ancient necropolis and many tombs have been unearthed both under and near the church. Some of the tombs even feature frescoes. Because Saint Sophia represents Holy Wisdom, icons within the church depict Sophia as Christ Emmanuel, a young figure of Christ seated on a rainbow. The church also displays icons of historical saints, including St. George and St. Vladimir.

Stanimir DimitrovStanimir Dimitrov

The Basilica "Sveta Sofia" (Old Metropolis) is part of the Architectural-Historical Reserve in the city of Nessebar. The original construction of the temple dates back to the 5th century. It was later reconstructed - approx. VI-VIIv - when the marble block with the inscription: "And let my cry reach You" was embedded. (quote from the Bible - Psalms - 102) - the element was part of another building or of the earlier construction of the same one. It acquired its current form at the beginning of the 9th century. In the Middle Ages, the church served as the cathedral of the metropolitan diocese centered in Nessebar. During the war in 1257, a Venetian fleet led by Giacomo Doro attacked Nessebar and the Venetians looted the temple. They took away the holy relics stored in it - the body of St. Theodore, the hand and jaws of St. Ap. Andrew, the skull of St. Sist and the hand of St. Bartholomew. The relics were transferred first to Constantinople, and then to Venice in the church "St. Salvador", where they are still today. At the end of the 14th-beginning of the 15th century, Mataisa Kantakuzina-Paleologus was buried in "St. Sophia", and the inscription from her tombstone has been preserved to this day. "Saint Sophia" continued to function as a church until the end of the 18th century.

Žilvinas P.Žilvinas P.

"THE CHURCH ST. SOFIA, known as The Old Bishopric, is situated on the place supposed to be the old Centrum of the settlement. It is a three-nave basilica with a semicircular apse, a three-part nartex and an atrium (an inner yard). It is of 25,50 meter length. The central nave is separated from the two side aisles with orthogonal stone columns and brick arches. Above there is a second arcade. There are three arch windows over the apse at the East Side and a two slopes roof structure, not preserved. The apse possesses a synthronon, which can be seen today. Inside the church is plastered up and covered with frescoes. "

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Reviews of Church of Saint Sophia

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The Saint Sofia Church (Bulgarian: църква „Света София“, tsyrkva „Sveta Sofia“) is the oldest church in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, dating to the 4th century. In the predecessor building took place the Council of Serdica held most probably in 343 and attended by 316 bishops. In the 14th century, the church gave its name to the city, previously known as Serdika (Сердика). The church was built on the site of several earlier churches from 4th c. and places of worship dating back to the days when it was the necropolis of the Roman town of Serdica. In the 2nd century, it was the location of a Roman theatre. Over the next few centuries, several other churches were constructed, only to be destroyed by invading forces such as the Goths and the Huns. The basic cross design of the present basilica, with its two east towers and one tower-cupola, is believed to be the fifth structure to be constructed on the site and was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the middle of the 6th century (527-565). It is thus a contemporary of the better-known Hagia Sophia church in Constantinople.[1]

During the Second Bulgarian Empire (spanning the 12th to 14th centuries), the structure acquired the status of a metropolitan church. In the 14th century, the church gave its name to the city. In the 16th century, during Ottoman rule, the church was converted into a mosque: the original 12th-century frescoes were destroyed and minarets were added. In the 19th century, two earthquakes destroyed one of the minarets and the mosque was abandoned. Restoration work was begun after 1900.

The Saint Sofia Church is now one of the most valuable pieces of Early Christian architecture in Southeastern Europe. The present building is a cross basilica with three altars. The floor of the church is covered with complex Early Christian ornamental or flora and fauna-themed mosaics. The Saint Sofia Church stands in the middle of an ancient necropolis and many tombs have been unearthed both under and near the church. Some of the tombs even feature frescoes.

Because Saint Sophia represents Holy Wisdom, icons within the church depict Sophia as Christ Emmanuel, a young figure of Christ seated on a rainbow. The church also displays icons of historical saints, including St. George and...