Church of Saint George, Sofia (must see)

The Church of Saint George is a red brick rotunda dating from the 4th century. Originally built as part of a Roman bath complex in ancient Sofia, it is considered the oldest standing building in Bulgaria’s capital. The structure was converted into a Christian church in late Antiquity and today functions under the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

The rotunda is cylindrical, set on a square base, and topped with a dome. Inside are remarkable frescoes from the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, with earlier layers dating back to the 10th century. A ring of 22 prophets surrounds the dome. These paintings were covered during the Ottoman period—when the church was used as a mosque—and rediscovered during restoration work in the 20th century.

The dome rises about 45 feet above the floor. Five distinct layers of frescoes have been documented. The oldest, Roman-Byzantine in style, features floral and geometric ornament. Above this is a medieval Bulgarian layer with 10th-century angels. The third layer is a frieze of prophets and scenes such as the Ascension and the Assumption. The fourth contains a 14th-century portrait of a bishop, while the final layer shows Islamic decoration added during Ottoman rule.

The church sits within a courtyard surrounded by former government buildings from the 1950s. On significant occasions, the rotunda is used for military ceremonies and concerts featuring classical or sacred music. A small archaeological zone around the entrance preserves remains of Roman streets, buildings, and an early Christian baptistery, offering visitors a rare glimpse of ancient Sofia.