Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

In the Church of Saints Peter and Paul the relics of St. John of Polivotsky were transferred to the church by Tsar Kaloyan in the capital city of Turnovo in 1204. Subsequently, a monastery complex was formed around the church. It was built according to the will and priesthood of Anna-Maria (1221–1237), wife of Tsar Ivan Assen II. During the Ottoman rule, hundreds of manuscripts from the royal library were placed there. Many of them were destroyed in 1842 by the Greek ruler.

The church is dedicated to the Christian Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It follows the cross-domed design and has a single apse. The cella is divided into three naves by two rows of columns. The columns' capitals are decorated with plastic carving and tracery. The church has a high, massive iconostasis. According to the 14th-century account of Patriarch Evtimiy, the church and the surrounding monastery were built on the order of Tsar Ivan Asen II's (ruled 1218–1241) wife Anna.

Religious sites in Bulgaria

User Reviews

Karina R (8 months ago)
Amazing frescoes from the XIV to the XVII centuries, well preserved What was more amazing for me was how the old church was protected in a newer structure Definitely worth the visit

Mirian Metodieva (10 months ago)
This church was worth visiting for it's preserved icons. If you are interested in learning the history of frescoes and Orthodox art , that's a beautiful masterpiece. It has pretty rare depiction of saints, done incredibly good. Taking photos usually is not forbidden and you have to pay, but they can lead it slide.

morgan manley (2 years ago)
Absolute must-see if this is your area of interest. Wonderfully preserved frescos in a beautifully preserved church. All of it inside a modern protective exterior.

Sophie Dobrev (4 years ago)
A very well-preserved orthodox Bulgarian church from the 13th century, stunning to see the original paintings!

Diana Cristina Blinda (5 years ago)
Interesting place for the mural paintings.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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Church of Saints Peter and Paul

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