Saint Petka Church

"The small one-nave church is partly submerged into the ground and is situated within the TZUM underpass, which places it in the very center of both modern and ancient Sofia. The church features thick brick and stone walls (1 meter wide), a semi-cylindrical vault, and a hemispherical apse. A crypt was uncovered during excavations after World War II. The church is historically significant and was first mentioned in the 16th century, built on the foundations of a former Roman religious building. It is best known for its impressive mural paintings from the 14th, 15th, 17th, and 19th centuries, which depict various biblical scenes. The church is dedicated to St. Petka, an 11th-century Bulgarian saint, and its name reflects its historical connection to the saddlers, who conducted rituals there in the Middle Ages. The word "Samardzhiyski" (of the saddlers) originates from the Ottoman Turkish term "semerci," meaning "saddlemaker." A notable legend associated with the church is that it might be the burial site of Bulgaria's national hero, **Vasil Levski**. This theory gained attention after reports from 1937 and a 1956 excavation suggested that bones found in the church could belong to Levski. However, these remains, known as skeleton "No. 95," were lost or destroyed, potentially by mice, during examination by the Archaeological Institute. This led to controversy, with writer Nikolai Khaitov accusing prominent archaeologists and officials of mishandling the investigation and the remains. Two commissions convened in the 1980s to address the issue but found no conclusive evidence to confirm that the bones were Levski's, and the matter remains unresolved due to the missing remains."

"Small, unassuming orthodox church made of stone & filled with many ancient biblical murals."

"Explore the religious and cultural significance of this hidden gem in Sofia."