Construction of Boyana Church

Boyana Church is a medieval Orthodox church on the outskirts of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and is known for its mural paintings. The building was constructed in stages, with the oldest section dating from the tenth century, and further parts added in later centuries, but it is the second layer of decoration that makes it famous. The frescoes, painted by an unknown artist, show a remarkable sense of realism and individual character in the faces of the saints and donors, including portraits of the Bulgarian ruler Tsar Constantine Tikh and his wife Irina. They are regarded as a precursor of the Italian Renaissance. The church was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

Open on the timeline