In the heart of the Bulgarian city lies the ancient church of Hagia Sophia (Old Metropolis). This three-nave basilica, dated to the 5-6th century, is 19 meters long and 13 meters wide. The church is divided into two rows of pillars into naves, in each row five pieces. The middle nave in the east ends with an impressive covered apse and is almost 10 meters wide.
Address:
Nessebar
Comment
26.09.23
Žilvinas
"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.. Read more » 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. "
19.08.23
Anca
Loved it! The architecture is incredible and the remainings well preserved.
However, I believe you should visit these places when the summer and holidays are over, as it was really crowded when we went there.
06.08.23
Albert
Have to done.Nice ,cosy church of XI-XVIII centuries. All walls are decorated by murals.
22.07.23
Andrew
Amazing Ruins from the 5th century, the basilica has 3 walls still standing with steps. You can go right up inside. On a sunny day, it looks great.
Gets busy, so if you want photos without the crowd in them. Early morning may be a better time to go .. Read more »or out of season. Mind the steps 😉 you can look into a lot of the history of the rebuild if you'd like to know.
30.06.23
Stanimir
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 - wh.. Read more »en 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.
28.06.23
Håkon
The Church of Saint Sophia in Old Nessebar is really something special. Even though it's in ruins, it's still so beautiful and you can tell it's full of history. I'm no expert, but I'd give it a full 5 stars. It's a must.. Read more »-see if you're visiting the area!
11.06.23
Martin
A lovely historical landmark to visit, a very nice change from the madness of sunny beach.
10.06.23
Jackie
Lovely ancient church ruin in the centre of Nessebar old town, lots of restaurants, cafes & shops nearby.
07.05.23
Jim
Full of history... A must visit if in Bulgaria... Nessbar
18.10.22
Galina
Interesting archeological spot where you can feel spirituality of all ages.
Interesting, highly recommended to visit!!!
17.09.22
Carl
What a beautiful place to go and enjoy the culture plus it's historical place in time. This small place was also very busy with traffic, shame really as you have to dodge the cars and vans it should be predestination only. Anyway I would definit.. Read more »ely recommend stopping here for the day.
27.08.22
Dawn
This is a lovely place to visit lots to see and the restaurant are lovely looking over the see very romantic worth going
22.08.22
Chris
What an amazing landmark. All of Nessebar is just such an amazing place to visit, so much history in such a small space. Absolutely worth visiting if you are in Bulgaria. Make sure you go to the toilet before visiting though or you may find yourself .. Read more »being asked to pay 2lv to empty your bladder.
29.07.22
Lucy
Set in the middle of Old town Nessebar. Free to walk around and take in. I saw many tour groups but we didn't use a tour ourselves. Makes a lovely day to walk about and take in the many sites and shops. Beautiful place I felt very at home and s.. Read more »afe.
07.07.22
Stanka
The old town is very beautiful. We had a great time.
01.07.22
Andreea
It was very beautiful, the ruines are chef kiss , also I bought a bracelet from the mini stores . Its good to visit
24.06.22
Brendan
A fabulous example of historical architecture from the 6th century when we in England were living in wooden huts.
Unfortunately the church isn't fully intact but you have a great idea of how grand it must have been when it was completed.
29.05.22
Faton
The Church is located in the heart of this peninsula of the old city of Nessebar. The architecture is pretty neat, but I could say only 30% of its whole was still standing there, unfortunately. Though, it still manages to amaze you with the main cent.. Read more »ral nave and two on its sides. Definitely a must for a traveller who wants to learn about the history of a city and dive into different timestamps that can be read from the different layers of this old a rich city in culture, Nessebar.
11.04.22
Robert
Great place to visit spend all day lovely restaurants with views of sea Nessebar full of history
23.12.21
TELEGRAM
ST. SOPHIA CHURCH (OLD METROPOLITAN CHURCH)
A THREE-NAVE BASILICA WITH A COMMON LENGTH 19 m AND WIDTH 13 m. TWO RANGES OF FIVE PILLARS SEGMENT THE INTERNAL AREA OF THREE NAVES. THE CENTRAL NAVE (WIDE 9.30 m) ENDS WITH A BIG APSE, ROUND INSIDE AND TH.. Read more »REE WALLED OUTSIDE. THE CHURCH IS BUILT AT THE END OF 5TH, BEGINNING OF 6TH CENTURY AND HAS TWO CONSTRUCTIONAL PERIODS. THE PRESENT APPEARANCE OF THE CHURCH IS FROM THE BEGINNING OF 9TH CENTURY. THE CHURCH IS A PART OF A RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX OF NESSEBAR'S BISHOP.
22.10.21
Tomas
It's a fantastic views to history this place possess, if you are near you should stop by and be amazed.
06.09.21
Vilkan
Great place for those who loves history.
04.09.21
Red
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.. Read more » 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.
04.09.21
Ayane
A very impressive old church. Staying here is like being living some centuries ago.
27.08.21
Adem
Nessebar is a town in Burgas Province, on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. The cobbled streets of the old town, which sits on a promontory, are lined with ruins such as Byzantine-era fortifications and baths. The ruins of the 5th-century Church of S.. Read more »t. Sofia include stone columns and large arched windows. The 11th-century Church of St. Stephen houses hundreds of mural paintings and a huge, richly decorated altarpiece.
09.08.21
Dorian
Old church ruin. Looks great and everyone is taking pictures there.
04.08.21
Andrius
Amazingly beautiful ruins in heart of anicient Nassebar. If you are history & arch lover then you should visit that magical place.
26.07.21
MAX
The pearl of the old town!
01.02.21
Nesrin
The church is located in what is supposed to have been the center of the ancient city. It is a three-naved unvaulted basilica with a semi-circular apse, a narthex and an atrium. The church has a total length of 25.5 m and a width of 13 m. The divisio.. Read more »n into three naves was effected by two rows of five pillars each. The middle nave (9.3 m wide) ends to the east with a big closed apse, round outside and three-sided inside. There are three arched windows on the eastern wall above the apse. The basilica used to have a double-sloped roof which has not been preserved. From the inside the church used to be plastered and then painted with frescoes. The whole floor used to be covered with mosaics made out with little coloured stones. It has mixed masonry of stone and brick and is the largest of the Nesebar churches whose overground structure has survived.
The basilica was constructed in the late 5th and early 6th century. Its present appearance was dated from the beginning of the 9th century when it was reconstructed.
09.09.20
Andrei
Historical, beautiful, easy to navigate,old and the BEST place in NESEBAR to take selfie.
09.09.20
Janosi
Lovely place, the old town is just amazing, with a lot of stores to find local products, must to visit if you are on sunny beach bulgaria!
31.08.20
ljilja
Beautiful old stone walls from very ancient history. Nice place to sit in on stairs and have an ice cream. Unfortunately, there is lot of garbage around
25.08.20
Mihai
A neat place, many boutiques, restaurants, cafee shops, parking spaces, a beautiful view. Unfortunately, it is not possible to pay by card everywhere.
20.08.20
Ludmil
Full of light
15.08.20
soe
Monastery located in the center of old Nessebar. In fact, they are the ruins of an old Byzantine monastery over 1500 years old, of which the walls remain. In the area there are many other points of interest, monasteries, souvenir shops, terraces, res.. Read more »taurants.
04.08.20
kbazyl
Nice place. Must see in the Nessebar.
01.08.20
Bartek
Very nice place in Nessebar
28.07.20
Ognian
The remains of an ancient Byzantine basilica, built in the 5th century. Now only the side walls of the basilica remain, but it is still worth visiting the place which is very interesting. It is located in the very center of Old Nessebar.
23.07.20
K.
Incredible atmoshere! Quiet, beauty of the ruins... Art shops nearby. Take a coffee or glass of red wine... enjoy!
18.06.20
Chavdar
3000 years city, one of the most fascinating places in Bulgaria. Everyone should be visited when going to Oldtown of Nesebar!
4.9 / 40
