Church of St. Paraskeva in the Ancient Town of Nessebar and the place of the temple in the Bulgarian and world cultural heritage
- Stefan Ivanov
- Mar 19
- 9 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
The Church of St. Paraskeva in the Old Town of Nessebar is a key architectural monument that fits into the exceptional integrity of the settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is a partially preserved medieval Christian temple, known for its rich historical and cultural heritage.
The recognition of its importance is underlined by the fact that in 1964 it was officially declared a cultural monument of national importance, ensuring its protection and conservation for future generations.
The debate over the dating of the construction
The question of the exact dating of the Church of St. Paraskeva is a subject of discussion among researchers. While some experts suggest that its initial construction may have taken place as early as the 10th century, the generally accepted view is that the temple was built in the 13th-14th centuries. This dating is based on certain architectural similarities that are noticeable between the church in Nessebar and the temples of the same period in the then medieval Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo.
The presence of these architectural parallels is of utmost importance, as they testify to a strong cultural and artistic connection between the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and one of its most important port cities on the Black Sea coast. Despite the fact that during this period Nessebar repeatedly passed from the possession of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom to the control of Byzantium and vice versa, the prevailing architectural style is strongly influenced by the Tarnovo art school. This circumstance supports the hypothesis of Bulgarian patronage and cultural influence, and the author Jonathan Busfield even specifies the period of construction, referring it to the reign of Tsar Ivan Alexander (1331 - 1371).
The question of the dedication of the temple
Another important historical question that remains without a definitive answer is to which of the three saints named Paraskeva the temple is dedicated.
Historical accounts distinguish three possible candidates: the early Christian martyrs Paraskeva of Rome and Paraskeva of Iconium, who were better known in the Byzantine Empire and its capital Constantinople, and Paraskeva of Epivat (also known as Saint Petka of Bulgaria), who enjoyed exceptional popularity in Bulgaria.
When considering this issue, the comparison of historical and architectural data leads to an extremely logical conclusion. Since the construction of the temple is connected with the reign of Tsar Ivan Alexander, who transferred the relics of St. Petka of Bulgaria to his capital Tarnovo and honored her as his personal patroness, it is extremely likely that the church in Nessebar, built during his time and in the style of his kingdom, was dedicated to this saint. This is convincing evidence of the deep connection of the temple with the cultural and religious history of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
Architectural and structural features
The Church of St. Paraskeva is a single-nave building with a narthex in its western part and a wide five-walled apse in the eastern part. Although it was built according to the Byzantine cross-domed plan, its original dome has not been preserved to this day.
Regarding the dimensions of the temple, the available sources present some discrepancies. Three main sets of dimensions are cited: 8.45 meters by 4.85 meters, 14.70 meters by 6.60 meters, and 15 meters by 6 meters.
This apparent difference can be explained as a distinction between the dimensions of the nave (the main nave of the church) and the overall dimensions of the entire building, including the narthex and apse. The smaller dimensions probably refer to the interior space of the nave, while the larger, and more commonly cited, 15 meters by 6 meters, represent the overall dimensions of the building.
For greater clarity, the key architectural parameters can be systematized as follows:
Type of building – single-nave basilica with narthex
Overall dimensions – about 15 meters long by 6 meters wide
Dimensions of the nave – about 8.45 meters long by 4.85 meters wide
Altar part – one wide five-sided apse
Original roof – cross-domed structure with a dome and a bell tower
Current roof – gable roof, added later
Building materials and techniques
The church is built of alternating belts of cut stone and bricks. The pseudo-opus mixtum technique was used for the construction, which also includes the use of wooden beams.
Understanding this technique is key to assessing the architectural style of the temple. While the classical Roman opus mixtum technique used the alternation of brick and stone for a functional purpose – to strengthen the walls and reduce cracks, in the context of medieval Bulgarian and Byzantine architecture, the addition pseudo (pseudo) suggests that the technique was used primarily for decorative, rather than purely constructive, purposes.
This is a characteristic feature of the so-called painterly style in church architecture, in which the facade is transformed into a richly ornamented canvas, making it more of a work of art than a simple structural element.
Missing architectural elements and reconstructions
Significant elements of the original architectural appearance of the church have not been preserved.
The ancient dome and bell tower that rose above the narthex have disappeared. The current roof is gabled, probably added at a later stage in the building's history. Although the bell tower no longer exists, its presence in the past is proven by the presence of a preserved stone staircase that led to it.
Exterior decoration: a system of blind arches and richly ornamented tympani - a manifestation of the "Painting Style"
The exterior decoration of the Church of St. Paraskeva is one of its most striking features. The facades are richly decorated with two rows of blind arches. These arches, whose tympani are exquisitely ornamented, run along the length of the northern, southern and western walls, as well as on both sides of the apse.
Decorative motifs and ceramic elements
The richness of the exterior decoration was achieved through a combination of different materials and motifs. The tympana of the arches are filled with stone and brick, forming complex patterns, including motifs such as herringbone, sun, zigzag and chess. Above them, in belts, are embedded decorative elements of quatrefoil and round glazed panels.
These decorative elements are characteristic of the so-called picturesque style in Bulgarian and Byzantine church architecture of the 13th - 14th centuries. This stylistic direction turns the facade of the temple into a rich and complex visual message, which shows not only the high craftsmanship of the builders, but also the aspiration of the architectural school to create aesthetically impressive and symbolic buildings. It is these features that connect the church of St. Paraskeva with other remarkable Nessebar temples, creating a coherent architectural ensemble, in which each individual monument is part of a single whole.
The Church of St. Paraskeva is not an independent architectural phenomenon, but part of a broader architectural movement in medieval Nessebar. It shares a number of architectural features with other notable churches from the same period, such as the Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and the Church of Christ Pantokrator.
One of the common features is the presence of a bell tower above the narthex, which was a typical element for churches built during this period. However, even within this common school, individual solutions can be observed. For example, the staircase to the bell tower of "St. Paraskeva" was located outside, as in "Christ Pantocrator", while in "St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel" the staircase was inside. This difference shows the flexibility of local craftsmen and the diversity within the framework of general architectural principles.
Transformation of the church into an art gallery
At present, the church of "St. Paraskeva" is not an active Christian church. The building has been rebuilt and functions as an art gallery. This change in the function of the building, from a sacred to a secular space, is key to its preservation. Its transformation into a museum institution ensures the necessary care for maintenance, restoration and preservation, while making it accessible to the general public and contributing to the development of cultural tourism in the region.
The exhibition "Surviving Frescoes from Vanished Nessebar Churches"
Although the church has been preserved, no original frescoes have been found inside it. However, it hosts an extremely important exhibition entitled "Surviving Frescoes from Vanished Nessebar Churches". This exhibition presents frescoes that were saved and removed in 1958 from the demolished church of "St. George the Great".
This exhibition is not just a temporary installation, but carries a deep symbolic meaning. By housing frescoes from another, no longer existing church, "St. Paraskeva" becomes a guardian of the city's lost cultural heritage. It not only tells its own story, but also serves as a repository of memories and testimonies from the past, symbolizing the continuity and efforts to preserve the valuable cultural heritage of Nessebar.
The place of the church in the Bulgarian and world cultural heritage
The study of the church of "St. Paraskeva" reveals that it is much more than just a building from the past. It is a living witness to the complex and dynamic history of Nessebar, which has been at the crossroads of different cultures over the centuries. The analysis confirms that despite the debates about the dating, the church is an exceptional example of Bulgarian and Byzantine architecture from the 13th - 14th centuries, distinguished by its characteristic picturesque style and rich external decoration.
The church's current function as an art gallery does not diminish its historical value, but on the contrary - ensures its long-term preservation and integrates it into the contemporary cultural life of the city. It is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Bulgaria and plays an important role in the ensemble of Old Nessebar, which is recognized as one of the most valuable sites of world cultural heritage. The Church of St. Paraskeva is a monument that not only exists, but also preserves the memories and spirit of a rich and artistic past, continuing to inspire visitors with its beauty and history.
In 1927, the Church of St. Paraskeva was declared a national antique.
In 1964 and in 1967, the Church of St. Paraskeva was declared an architectural, construction and artistic monument of culture with the category of national importance.
Nessebar – a journey through time, embraced by the sea and whispering stories
Sometimes we need to stop for a moment, leave the hectic everyday life behind us and immerse ourselves in an atmosphere where time has stopped.
Ancient Nessebar is just such a place.
Situated on a small, rocky peninsula, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, this city is like a treasure trove, protected by the waves of the Black Sea.
Nessebar is located:
412 kilometers (about 3 hours and 59 minutes by car) from the capital
277 kilometers (about 2 hours and 55 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
100 kilometers (about 1 hour and 48 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
35 kilometers (about 36 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
The ancient town of Nessebar is a living museum. Here, antiquity, every ruin, every paved street and every ancient house carry the spirit of bygone eras.
As soon as you pass the old mill, you will be greeted by a labyrinth of cobblestone streets that wind between old houses with characteristic wooden facades and flower gardens.
The air is filled with the scent of the sea and history.
Don't miss the over 40 churches that whisper stories of the greatness of Byzantium, and feel how history intertwines with the sea. Some of them are ruins, others are perfectly preserved, but all of them are witnesses to the greatness of the Byzantine Empire and the Middle Ages.
But Nessebar is not just a museum. It is a living city that breathes in unison with the sea. Allow yourself to get lost in the narrow streets, browse the small shops with handmade souvenirs and sit in a cozy restaurant with a view of the sea.
In the evening, when the sun sinks into the sea waters and the city lights reflect on the calm surface, Nessebar becomes a magical place that will leave a lasting impression in your heart.
Come and feel the magic of time in Ancient Nessebar!
Surrender to the charm of the wooden houses perched above the cliffs and let the wind tell you about the ancient seafarers.
In the evening, when the sun reflects in the sea, Nessebar turns into a magical place.
Visit Old Nessebar and touch eternity - here time simply stops.
How to get to the Church of St. Paraskeva?
The Church of St. Paraskeva is located in the central part of the Old Town of Nessebar.
I advise you to leave your car in the large northern municipal parking lot (a parking fee is required). You climb some of the numerous steps leading to "Kraibrezhna" street and along one of the numerous narrow cobblestone streets you head towards the central part of the Old Town of Nessebar.
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