Saint Petka the Old Church, Medieval Orthodox church in central Sofia, Bulgaria.
Saint Petka the Old is a medieval Orthodox church in central Sofia featuring thick stone walls, a semi-cylindrical vault, and a hemispherical apse built with solid construction methods. The main structure sits partially underground beneath street level, which protected it through different periods of history.
The church was built in the 14th century during the Ottoman period, rising above foundations from an earlier Roman religious site. This layering of different faiths and times remains visible in the structure beneath Sofia's modern streets.
The interior walls display layers of religious frescoes from different periods, ranging from the 14th through the 19th century and showing how artistic styles changed over time. These painted images tell the story of many generations who came to pray here.
The church entrance is located in the underpass between TZUM department store and Sheraton Hotel, near Serdika metro station. It helps to note the location since the building sits beneath street level and is easy to miss when walking above.
Local master saddlers funded the construction of this church, giving it the alternative name Saint Petka of the Saddlers. This connection to a specific craft remains part of the building's identity and story.
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