This Roman church, built in the 4th century in a square in the ancient town of Serkika, is the oldest building in the city. It’s famous for the frescoes on its walls. The oldest frescoes however, are definitely from Byzantine-Roman times, and are probably as old as the church.

The view of the church from the outside is a little jarring though, seeing how the church is in the courtyard between the Sheraton hotel and the Presidency. Scattered around it are some of Serdika’s ancient ruins. The temple used to part of a larger achaelogical complex. The complex itself is remarkable – it shows evidence of an ingenious drainage and heating system. In the nearby Hotel Rila, the residence of Emperor Constantine I himself was discovered.

The church is still in active use.

• Try catching it during the Vespers at 5 pm, the matins at 8 am or the Divine Liturgy at 9 am.

• Subway Red line— Serdika or Sofia University stop
• Bus lines 9, 94, 280, 306 — Sofia University stop
• Trolley bus line 9 — St. Alexander Nevski Square stop
• Trolley bus lines 1, 2, 4, 11 — Sofia University stop
• Tramway line 20 — National Opera stop

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