The Rotunda Church of St George
The Rotunda Church of St George
4.5
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Built in the 4th century, this is the oldest building in Sofia.
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- Serdika • 3 min walk
- Serdika II • 3 min walk
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- Nick FGreece251 contributionsThis is the oldest building in the cityThis is the oldest building in the city that has survived to this day. Built in the 4th century in the center of the residence of Emperor Constantine the Great, it is funny that it is still located in a huge “stone bag” whose walls make up the Office of the President of Bulgaria and various government institutions. The church is active, at least the schedule of services is written on the sign.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 1 November 2023
- Marek BocanekBrno, Czech Republic402 contributionsOldest rotunda from Roman era in the cityOne of the oldest rotundas in the city from the era of Constantine the Great, when Christianity started to be accepted in the Roman empire. Small (as such churches used to be from that period), but very nice with atmosphere. There's a never leaving homeless lady sitting at the entrance :)Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 16 July 2024
- T-SGlobetrottersPreston, United Kingdom3,816 contributionsOldest church in the cityThis is Sofia’s oldest church dating back to the 4th century with frescoes from the 8th century onwards. Some are in reasonable condition, others less so but given its age and history, it is worth a quick visit. Free to enter. No photos allowed. The church is built on the Roman foundations of the city which can be viewed in an extended area outside the church.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 September 2024
- Leif BPietarsaari, Finland3,079 contributionsThe RotundaThis is the oldest surviving building in town. Built in the 4th century as a Roman Bath, you can still see the ruins of the bath behind the church. The Church of Saint George is a late Antique red brick rotunda. Later it became a church inside the walls of Serdika. It was a mosque during Ottoman rule in 16th century and later a Bulgarian Orthodox Church.Visited September 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 1 October 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,726 reviews
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704
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13
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Brian P
Manama, Bahrain625 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Being one of the oldest buildings in Sofia this church was on my 'to do' lists. The ruins are down a very slippery metal staircase and unfortunately the area is used by dog walkers.
The Church itself is a great building, you need to pay to take photos inside.
The Church itself is a great building, you need to pay to take photos inside.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tjaša s
Ljubljana, Slovenia160 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
The church is hidden among the buildings. You can enter it, but you can't take pictures. The church is small, nicely painted, has a few seats and live recitation. There is also a small shop in the church where you can buy souvenirs.
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UKLouG
UK166 contributions
Oct 2022
Accidentally went inside on a Sunday so I don't know if we were lucky but we were treated to some glorious singing during a service. Keeping a quiet, respectful silence, we were not made to feel out of place and it was a lovely experience that brought the ancient building to life.
It's in a strange location I think within the Presidential complex but you can see it if you're walking along the street. Free to enter and worth a visit.
It's in a strange location I think within the Presidential complex but you can see it if you're walking along the street. Free to enter and worth a visit.
Written 6 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gray's Reviews
Timaru, New Zealand1,422 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Didn't go in, but the appearance and surrounds make you want to go and explore further. It's in the central part of the city, with easy access on foot or by tram.
Worth a deviation off the main roads just to investigate.
Worth a deviation off the main roads just to investigate.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CATTSAR
Provincetown, MA22,598 contributions
Oct 2022
This is a beautiful Early Christian rotunda made of impressive red brick. It is considered the oldest building in Sofia, erected in the 4th century by the Romans. The church is surrounded by ancient ruins adding to its allure and interest. The church sits on the site of an ancient pagan temple. During the 16th century it was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire then back to a Christian church in the 19th century. There are multi layers of frescoes dating as far back as the 10th century. The dome is is graced with frescoes of 22 profits that stand 6.5 feet (2 m). This is a must while in Sofia. It is free to enter.
Written 12 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharls G
Traralgon, Australia345 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This church is striking due to its placement in the city, which is a real surprise. Fortunately, the russians, instead of destroying the church, built around it so that the Bulgarian people could not enjoy it, so it remains standing today.
It was closed to visitors the day we went there.
It was closed to visitors the day we went there.
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T-SGlobetrotters
Preston, UK3,816 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
This is Sofia’s oldest church dating back to the 4th century with frescoes from the 8th century onwards. Some are in reasonable condition, others less so but given its age and history, it is worth a quick visit. Free to enter. No photos allowed.
The church is built on the Roman foundations of the city which can be viewed in an extended area outside the church.
The church is built on the Roman foundations of the city which can be viewed in an extended area outside the church.
Written 20 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DEPPY09
Athens, Greece332 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Several meters lower than the modern streets of Sofia, among huge buildings, is the Rotonda of Saint George, made of impressive red brick, dating from the early 4th century to the time of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great. It is considered the oldest building in Sofia and is surrounded by ancient ruins that add a lot to its charm. During the reign of Emperor Justinian (527-565), Rotonda was converted into a church. Its first murals date back to that time. The temple survived even the Ottoman rule when it was converted into a mosque. In 1915, it was cleansed from all that had been added to it, the minarets were destroyed, the inner plaster additions were cleaned and her medieval painting consisting of three layers was discovered. The inscriptions in the first and second layers are in Greek and in the third layer - in old Bulgarian. Discover her and you...
Automatically translated
Written 18 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco S
Foggia, Italy1,031 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Without a shadow of a doubt, the circular church of San Giorgio is one of the best preserved architectural monuments from Roman times as well as the oldest in the city. It was built in the early 4th century BC during the reign of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great with the flourishing of the ancient city of Serdika (the old name of Sofia). The church is located in the courtyard of the government office, just a couple of meters from the ruins of the ancient Serdika fortress. The domed structure is built on a quadrangular base and was initially used for public purposes. Following the recognition of Christianity as a religion in the Roman Empire, the building became a baptistery for conversions to the Christian religion.
It was transformed into a church during the reign of Emperor Justinian I the Great (527 – 565) when it was dedicated to Saint George and the first frescoes were created. During the Ottoman domination the St. George rotunda was transformed into a mosque called Gyul Dzhamasi. Unfortunately the Christian frescoes on the walls were covered with white plaster and replaced with floral patterns. After the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, the Rotunda was abandoned and, only after the death of Knyaz Alexander Battenberg who reigned from 1879 to 1886 was it transformed into a mausoleum. The restoration of the church began in 1915 and continued for a few years. Today in the Rotonda of San Giorgio religious services are celebrated daily, often accompanied by Byzantine melodies.
It was transformed into a church during the reign of Emperor Justinian I the Great (527 – 565) when it was dedicated to Saint George and the first frescoes were created. During the Ottoman domination the St. George rotunda was transformed into a mosque called Gyul Dzhamasi. Unfortunately the Christian frescoes on the walls were covered with white plaster and replaced with floral patterns. After the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, the Rotunda was abandoned and, only after the death of Knyaz Alexander Battenberg who reigned from 1879 to 1886 was it transformed into a mausoleum. The restoration of the church began in 1915 and continued for a few years. Today in the Rotonda of San Giorgio religious services are celebrated daily, often accompanied by Byzantine melodies.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ViaggiaViaggiaViaggi
Noto1,620 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
The church is located inside a courtyard of a ministerial building. Seeing the level of the church and the nearby ruins makes you understand the stratigraphy of the city and its antiquity. The interior features a beautiful fresco in the dome. Free entry.
Written 29 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Λειτουργεί κανονικά ως εκκλησία με θείες λειτουργίες?
Written 20 March 2018
Salve, qualcuno saprebbe dirmi fino a che ora è possibile visitare l’interno della chiesa?
Grazie! 😊
Written 28 November 2017
Alle 5 di pomeriggio c'è una funzione, quindi fino a quell'ora trovi aperto.
Written 10 December 2017
What days and times are services held, and is there a choir at each service?
Written 30 August 2016
What days and times are services held, and is there a choir at each service?
Written 30 August 2016
According to their webiste (google it, it is mostly in english) the worship services are daily, matins at 8am, followed by divine liturgy around 9am, vespers at 5pm
Written 2 September 2016
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