Church of Saint George, Sofia

The St. George Rotunda; some remains of Serdica can be seen in the foreground

Roman street

The Church of St George (Bulgarian: Ротонда „Свети Георги“ Rotonda "Sveti Georgi") is an Early Christian red brick rotunda that is considered the oldest building in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is situated behind the Sheraton Hotel, amid remains of the ancient town of Serdica.

Built by the Romans in the 4th century, it is believed that it was built on the site of a pagan temple. Mainly famous for the 12th-14th-century frescoes inside the central dome. Three layers of frescoes have been discovered, the earliest dating back to the 10th century. Magnificent frescoes of 22 prophets over 2 metres tall crown the dome. Painted over during the Ottoman period, when the building was used as a mosque, these frescoes were only uncovered in the 20th century.

See also

• Saint George: Devotions, traditions and prayers

Other oldest churches

• Church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul, the oldest church in Serbia
• Church of the Holy Cross, the oldest church in Croatia
• Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the oldest church in Greece
• Densuş Church, the oldest church in Romania
• Tkhaba-Yerdy Church, the oldest church in Russia
• Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is the oldest church in Armenia and oldest state-built church in the world.

Sources

• Богдан Филов, Софийската църква „Св. Георги“, София 1933 (преиздадена 2005).

External links

• Template:Bg icon Gallery with pictures of the church and the ruins
• Template:Bg icon Gallery with pictures of the frescoes of the church