Sveti Spas (Church of Saint Spass)
During the Middle Ages, the city of Menembria on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast had more than 40 churches. Quite impressive for a such a tiny place. (Some claim it’s the town with the highest number of churches per capita anywhere. I’m not so sure, though; I’ve seen numerous small towns in the American Midwest with an impressive number of churches).
Today, the city is better known as Nessebar. Or Nesebar, Nesebur, or, probably most correctly, Несебър. UNESCO has deemed the Ancient City of Nessebar worthy of special protection, so I’ll go with UNESCO’s spelling.
Many of the churches are now in partial ruins, like Hagia Sophia below. Although, to be fair, Sophia doesn’t look bad for a 1500-year-old.
Hagia Sophia
Others are very well preserved, and look like exclusive stone villas, one lovelier than the next.
Pantocrator: the prettiest church in Nessebar
is Church of Christ Pantocrator. It’s richly decorated, including an interesting band of swastikas at the corners (it’s a bit difficult to spot them here; they’re below the small, white pyramids on the right side of the photo). Nothing to do with Nazism this; the swastika predates that brutal ideology by several millennia. Here, I’m told, it was the symbol of an ancient sun cult.
Pantocrator is a true work of art. Appropriate then, that it now houses a gallery, exhibiting the works of Bulgarian artists. As I walk past on my way to Nessebar’s old harbour, the sun sets, casting the last rays of the day on the red, green, and white tiles of Pantocrator. Beautiful!
The Ancient City of Nessebar is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are more UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world.
Love visiting super old churches! I have a friend from Bulgaria–I’ll have to have her take us around Nessebar.
Oh, do! Many interesting and beautiful spots along the Black Sea coast. Sozopol is another favourite of mine.
I’ve been there 15 years ago, the Hagia Sophia church has been in a better condition at that time. I really feel sorry about that gorgeous architectural wonder, this kind of oriental architecture makes me always wondering about the engineering of the renaissance.
Agree, interesting and thougth-provoking architecture.
Oh my gosh those photos are stunning!!
Thanks, Abby.
Stunning photos Sophie. Thank heavens UNESCO has protected these beautiful churches. Thank you for introducing me to Nessebar.
Thanks. Yes, I don’t think the town is all that well-known outside of Europe.
I love this post! Those photos are stunning and I found the information so interesting!
Thanks, Jackie.
What fantastic detail in these churches and the lighting you captured on them is equally wonderful.
Yes, they really have the most extraordinary details. Best to have a little time and get up close.
what a great visit- I love the colors of these photos. they almost look like they were taken many many years ago.
They were taken seven years ago – but yes, they do seem older than that.
I just love this one. The churches of Bulgaria is impressive and the Church of Christ Pantocrator is inviting and inspirational.
Wished I can go to Bulgaria and see them too 🙂
Hope you will someday 🙂
That is a beautiful church – thanks for sharing it with us!
Thanks, Becca.
Beautiful! My kinds of place, Nessebar. Old churches and a heritage site – lovely combination. Just added this to my list. Thanks, Sophie!
It’s indeed a surprising little town.
Beautiful churches! I love how well-preserved they are. I don’t think I’ve seen many pictures of Bulgaria so this is all wonderful and interesting information. The Church of Christ Pantocrator church has such unique decorations and architecture.
You’re right. Bulgaria doesn’t get a whole lot of attention. Shame really.
Its an fabulous kind of church I love it…Thanks a lot for sharing..
Thanks for stopping by, Devon.
I’ve only passed through Bulgaria a couple of times, but sights like these churches make me want to linger.
Nessebar is worth a a linger…
The swastika as a symbol of an ancient sun cult.– yet another interesting fact I’ve learned from following your blog. The churches are really lovely and the Church of Christ Pantocrator.is so unusual and beautiful.
The first time I encountered a swastika (outside of WWII history) was in Bali many years ago. Sad how Hitler removed it from its ancient context and ruined it…
I love old church ruins… i need to check this out
Next time in Europe…
Hello dear, I’m pleased you like so much one of the most beautiful coast cities in Bulgaria! I’d like to point out that it’s not Menembria but Messembria. Greetings from Bulgaria, you have a lovely blog!
Thanks, Andriana. I’ve heard – and read – both Menembria and Messembria as names used during ancient times. It’s great to get a local’s comment. You live in a beautiful and intriguing country 🙂
You’re right about Sophia, she doesn’t look a day over 1200!
🙂
These old churches have so much personality. You have captured them beautifully.
They really do…
What beautiful stone work! And a fascinating part of the world!
So many wonderful surprises all over Eastern Europe really…
Haha! I’m with you, I doubt this town has the towns in the bible belt beat 🙂 We have a church every few blocks. But… no doubt that Nessebar has the prettier ones!
That’s what I remember from small-town Oklahoma, too 🙂
What a beautiful place to explore. 🙂 It is my dream to go to Bulgaria and would love to visit this town one day. 🙂
Hope you do, Krista. It’s fairly easy to visit, there are flights from lots of European towns to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Often inexpensive.
Beautiful shots! It looks like a great place to discover…
Great photos!
Wow! Amazing photos!
🙂