Church of St George, Medieval Orthodox church in Kolusha neighborhood, Kyustendil, Bulgaria
The Church of St George is a medieval structure with a distinctive octagonal dome divided into eight sections. The exterior displays alternating rows of red and white bricks that form a decorative pattern.
The structure was built in the 10th century as an important religious center in the region. It sustained significant damage during Ottoman rule in the 19th century and underwent major restoration between 1878 and 1880.
The interior walls display medieval frescoes with inscriptions in Medieval Greek, showing saints and religious figures from different periods. These artworks reveal how people expressed their faith through religious imagery in this region.
A visit is best made in the early morning or late afternoon when light is favorable for viewing the interior. The church sits in a residential neighborhood and is accessible on foot from the city center.
Local historians suggest that Bulgarian emperor Michael Shishman was buried in this sanctuary after the Battle of Velbazhd in 1330. This theory gives it special historical significance for Bulgaria's medieval past.
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