St. Pete's Church

The tiny church, more like a chapel, keeps ancient frescoes on its walls. The date of construction of the Temple of St. Petka is unknown. It is assumed that it was founded in the 14th century, however, there is reason to believe that the church on this site was already in the 11th century. The temple is consecrated in honor of the Great Martyr Saint Petka (Saint Paraskeva in Russian), who is one of the most revered local saints. Archaeological studies have established that this place was originally a pagan temple. At the time when this territory was under the control of the Ottoman Empire, the Church of St. Petka occupied an area of about 400 square meters, now it is huddled in the heart of the city on a small plot of 70 square meters. Usually, tourists are told the legend that the remains of the revolutionary and hero of Bulgaria Vasil Levski are buried here, but the latter have established that this statement is mistaken.