Church of Holy Week

The Cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria has survived fire, earthquake and terrorist attack.

The current building of the Temple was built in the 19th century on the foundations of an old church that burned down in 1856. The date of construction of the first church is unknown, but it is believed that it was founded in the 10th century, and although traditionally the churches of the time were wooden, this one was made entirely of stone, which made it stand for so long. The architectural style in which it is made is difficult to classify. There is an arched canopy in front of the entrance, and colored stained glass windows, and a completely uncharacteristic for the Orthodox Church dome with small windows, and a low bell tower, more like a low minaret. All this mix of architectural styles and trends is due to the fact that the church has been rebuilt many times.

The interior of the temple, on the contrary, is typical of the Orthodox. The gilded iconostasis is the work of Stanislav Dospevsky. The bells were donated by Prince Dondukov-Korsakov in 1879. Through the windows of the great dome of the Temple, a bright light streams on the floor, and even the most hardened atheist here will be able to believe in a miracle. The locals believe that any prayer spoken here will be heard.

Inside the Holy Week Cathedral lie the remains of the Bulgarian exarch Joseph I.