Church of St Constantine and Helena, Plovdiv

The Church of Saints Constantine and Helena stands as one of the oldest Christian churches in the city, forming an integral part of the Architectural Complex known as "The Ancient Plovdiv." The roots of this historic church trace back to the year 304 when the martyrs Severin and Memnos met their tragic end at the very site where the church now stands. Over the years, the church faced multiple demolitions and reconstructions, undergoing numerous transformations. The Church of Saints Constantine and Helena, as we know it today, emerged in 1810.

A distinctive feature of the church is its iconostasis, which was crafted in Vienna. The iconostasis is a testament to Baroque artistry, notable for its opulent gilding and polychromatic decoration. While completed in 1836, the gilding was executed at a later date. The first row of icons on the iconostasis was painted by the celebrated Bulgarian artist Zahari Zograf. Additionally, the church houses icons dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Yoan Pashkula also crafted the canopy over the Holy See and the Bishop's throne, while Dimitar Stanishev of the Debar school contributed the small iconostasis located in the central part of the temple.

In 1864-1866, the church underwent a comprehensive painting project, overseen by artists Stefan Andonov and Atanas Gyudzhenov of Pazardzhik. These meticulous efforts resulted in the preservation of the original frescoes, making the Church of Saints Constantine and Helena one of the few Plovdiv temples with its original frescoes still fully intact.

In the 1950s, excavation efforts beneath the apse of the church unearthed intriguing discoveries, including a rectangular tower associated with the defense of the eastern fortress gate known as Hisar Kapia. An ossuary was also discovered, serving as the final resting place for the remains of generations of noble Plovdiv citizens.