Nesebar (Несебър), Nesebr, Nessebar

1. Archaeological museum (Nesebar)

Location: Mesemria street, Entrance to the Old City, Nesebar

 

Open: 9am- 7pm Mon- Fri, 9am- 1:30pm, 2- 6pm Sat- Sun June- Sept

9am- 6pm Mon- Fri, 9am- 1:30pm, 2- 6pm Sat- Sun May, Oct

9am- 12pm, 12:30- 5pm, closed Sat- Sun Nov- March

Entrance Fee: adults BGN 5, students BGN 3, groups BGN 4 per person

 

Archaeological museum of Nesebar stand near medieval walls at the entrance to the historic Nesebar on Mesembria Street. Archaeological museum of Nesebar was open fairly recently in 1994 in the Old Town. It contains collection of pottery, naval anchors, coins and many other ancient artefacts from the Thracian period when Greeks first settled Mesembria (Old Nesebar) and started to trade with the local tribes. You can see the UNESCO certificate which confirms that the city was designated a World Heritage Site since 1984. Additionally the museum has several medieval Christian icons in its possession. Most of them were painted or written (as artists call it) locally in Nesebar and surrounding villages.

 

2. Remains of the Greek wall in Nesebar (Nesebar)

Location: Entrance to the Old City of Nesebar

Ruins of military fortifications that once protected are spread throughout Nesebar. They were erected in the 5th century BC and later increased two centuries later. Parts of the ancient wall are discovered in different parts of the city, although the largest portion of the former fortifications are situated at the entrance of Nesebar. The main difference between Greek type of construction and later ancient Roman and Byzantine walls is the material that was used in their erection. While later owners of Nesebar used mortar and bricks, Greeks often used natural rocks that were quarried around the city.

 

3. Byzantium wall with towers (Nesebar)

Location: Entrance to the Old Town of Nesebar

Constructed: 7th century

Byzantine City walls or Western Walls of Medieval Nesebar once encircled the whole city. It protected the city against sea pirates as well as foreign armies. Today they are well preserved at the Western entrance to the Old Town of Nesebar.

 

The main entrance to the fortified city was protected by two pentagonal towers. Gates had two pairs of doors. One door had two parts and could be swung open, while another door could be lowered at night to seal Nesebar at night or during sieges. City walls were erected with use of special Byzantine masonry architectural style known as "opus mikstum" or mixed case. It consisted of layers of stone for strength and several layers of bricks for flexibility. As a result medieval military engineers managed to create large structures resistant to seismic activity like earthquakes that are common in the region. Since Nesebar city walls were created in the 7th century AD they underwent restoration only five times over course of twelfth centuries.

 

4. Early Byzantium baths (Nesebar)

Location: Mitropolitska street

Early Byzantine Baths of Nesebar are situated just behind the Church of Sveti Spas (or Saint Savior). These baths were constructed during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I the Great (483- 565). Chronicles of Saint Theophan and patriarch Nikifor state that in 680 AD these baths were visited by the Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatos ("the Bearded") who used its therapeutic powers. Historians claimed it was here that he "cured his legs". Unfortunately they were burned down and destroyed during Bulgarian invasion under leadership of Khan (Bulgarian ruler) Krum in 812 AD. Remaining parts were quarried by the locals to use in construction of other buildings. Part of the ancient complex that remained underground buried were spared from vandalism. Today it is all that remains from previously magnificent and impressive structure.

 

5. Basilica Saint Sophia aka the Old Bishopric (Stara Mitropoliya) (Nesebar)

ulitsa (street) Mitropolitska

Old Bishopric or Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Nesebar was constructed in the 5th century on a site of a former ancient agora. It was part of a monastery, but the monastery was destroyed in the medieval times. Today it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building has a semi- circular apse, a narthex and an atrium. It is 25 m (82 ft) long and 13 m (43 ft) wide. Unfortunately the frescoes and icons that once covered the sides of the structure were not preserved. Double sloped wooden roof with clay pieces covered the house of worship, but these were not preserved either. Judging by few remains the floor was also covered by colorful mosaics.

 

Much of damage was carried out by the Venetians in 1257 who captured Nesebar that was part of the Bulgarian Empire at the time. Despite being a Christian structure and a seat of Nesebar bishop, Basilica of Saint Sophia was completely looted. Its silver and golden objects were stolen and melted. The entrance is free as it is with most structures. Old Bishopric is particularly beautiful in the evening then sun rays of the setting sun hit the altar side of the church. The church still preserves a marble slab in one of its walls that quotes the Bible: "Hear my prayer, O Lord" (Psalm 102:1).

 

Friendly Warning

Medieval basilica of Nesebar is surrounded by various vendors, cafés and artists who sell their paintings. Try to avoid street food. People who sell it don't always follow hygiene procedures and various types of complications are quiet common after consuming their food. Many local also produce traditional objects and sell them here for a fairly low price.

 

 

6. Basilica Holy Mother of God Eleoussa (Nesebar)

Location: Street Kraybrejna

Constructed: 5th- 6th century

Basilica of the Holy Mother of God Eleusa of Nesebar is a former monastery. "Eleusa" means "tender" in Greek thus the nickname of the Christian structure. The temple was constructed in the 6th century AD. It measures at 28 m long and 18 m wide with three naves, three apses and a nartex. Two side aisles also have two smaller apses that point in the North and South direction. It is a common architectural design of many medieval churches. It gave it basilica an appearance of a cross.

In the 14th century the monastery along with this part of the city sunk due to earthquake. In the early 20th century another earthquake struck the city lifting this part of the city while submerging other part of Nesebar. This the reason why the Basilica along with the defensive tower in the background lies slightly below the city streets. You can judge the depth to which it was submerged by looking at the tower stones. Lower levels of the tower are smooth due to sea water, while higher up level exposed to air are more rough and uneven.

 

7. Ruins of the early Christian Basilica and necropolis (Nesebar)

Location: street Kraybrejna (near entrance to the Nesebar Old City)

Constructed: 5th- 11th centuries

Christian Basilica of Nesebar was erected here in the 5th and 6th centuries. This imposing Christian temple it was reconstructed over a course of its history. Citizen of Nesebar buried their loved ones in the small cemetery or necropolis (literally "City of the dead" in Greek) near by. Most of the graves date back to the 10th and 11th century, which might suggest that bones of the previously deceased might have been moved to some other location within old Nesebar after a while. Or maybe archaeologists during their digs couldn't reach all part of the medieval areas out of fear that newer residence buildings might be damaged.

 

8. Church of John the Baptist  (Nesebar)

Location: streets Mitropolitska and Kraybrejna

Constructed: 11th century

Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist of Nesebar was constructed in the 10th century. It measures 12 m long and 10 m wide. The structure has three semi- circular apses and no narthex. It is one of the best preserved churches in the city with its unique distinctly Bulgarian architectural style. The inside walls of the temple were plastered and artists used these white hard surface as a canvas for painting icons, portraits, animals and other items. The frescoes date from 14th century and other from 16th- 17th centuries. One of frescoes actually preserved faces of medieval citizens of Nesebar. One of the columns have later inscriptions that says: "Holy John, save me". The church is not functional. Today it contains an art gallery that is open to the public.

 

9. Remains of a cross like church (Nesebar)

Constructed: 10th century

Ruins of the Cross like building date back to the 10th century. It followed a usual Byzantine outline of the Christian structure. Bulgarians often mimicked this architecture of their neighbors to the East. Most of churches in Nesebar carry classic Byzantine appearance.

 

10. Church of Saint Stephen or the New Bishopric (Nova Mitropoliya) (Nesebar)

Location: Mena and tsar Simeon streets

Constructed: 11th century; reconstructed in the 16th-18th century

Open: 9am- 7pm Mon- Fri, 9:30am- 1:40pm, 2- 6pm Sat- Sun June- Sept

9am- 6pm Mon- Fri, 9am- 1:30pm, 2- 6pm Sat- Sun May, Oct

Closed: Nov- March

Entrance Fee: adults BGN 5, students BGN 3, groups BGN 4 per person

 

Cathedral of Saint Stephen or Stefan of Nesebar was constructed in the 11th century and was originally dedicated to Mother of God. It became known locally as a New Mitropoliya. The name implies that it was a seat of Mitropolit (second only to Patriarch) of Nesebar. It was reconstructed and increased in size in the 16th century. Its carved iconostasis dates back to 1599. The structure was constructed mostly from local stone and red brick for outside. This three nave basilica measures at 12 m long and 9.5 m wide. It follows the same basic design as the Old Mitropoliya with two aisles on each side. Marble columns give the basilica an elegant appearance. The cathedral also contains throne of the bishop dating back to Bulgarian Revival in the 19th century. Ancient frescoes were unfortunately destroyed. The ones that got preserved date back to the 16th- 18th centuries. There is about 258 of mural paintings that contain over 1000 figures from various scenes from the Bible. The facade of basilica contains images from the Apocalypses.

 

11. Church of Saint Theodore (Nesebar)

Constructed: 13th century

The church of Saint Theodore of Nesebar was constructed in the 13th century. The church is 8.70 m long and 4.15 m wide. It has an apse and a narthex. The construction of the church used local white limestone and black and red bricks. Today it serves as an art gallery.

 

12. Church of Saint Paraskeva (Nesebar)

Constructed: 13th- 14th century

Church of Saint Paraskeva of Nesebar is a Bulgarian Orthodox church that dates back to the 13th century. This medieval temple is currently recognized and protected by UNESCO. It is a single nave chapel and measures at 15 m long and 6 m wide. It has a nartex and a pentagonal apse. It was erected from red bricks and hewn stone. The altar portion also has glazed saucers of various colours build in the wall. Apparently the chapel had a bell tower in the medieval times, but it was destroyed. All that remains is a part of the stairwell that once led to the upper levels. Church of Saint Paraskeva is preserved in its original appearance. They only part that was added later is the wooden roof that was rotted and had to be changed repeatedly.

 

13. Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (Nesebar)

Constructed: 13th- 14th century

Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel was constructed in the 1200s. Its heavenly protects Michael and Gabriel in the Eastern Orthodox tradition are included in the seven highest angelic spirits. On traditional Orthodox iconostasis they are portrayed on both sides of Jesus Christ, usually on the two side doors that led to the altar of the church. Archangel Michael is considered to the chief of angels and Gabriel as a guardian of the paradise and chief of angels that help people. Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel of Nesebar is 14 meters long and 5 meters wide. Lack of care left the building in a bad state so much of the roof and a dome have collapsed after years of negligence and abandonment. Today religious services are no held in Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel of Nesebar, but it is open to the public. Its remains are protected by a UNESCO.

 

14. Church of Christ Pantocrator (Nesebar)

Constructed: 13th- 14th century

Church of Christ Pantocrator of Nesebar is included on the list of cultural and historical sites of UNESCO.  Church of Christ Pantocrator was constructed in the 1200's. It is one of the best preserved medieval church in the city as well as all of Bulgaria. It measures 16 meters long by 7 meters wide. It has three apses and two entrances, on the South and North side of the building. The building was constructed from pieces of red bricks and local white limestone. Much of the plaster was lost along with medieval frescoes that covered them. Three small richly profiled apses are located on the eastern side. A square bell tower rises above the porch. The roof of Church of Christ Pantocrator of Nesebar is an octagonal tower with arched windows. Today the building is converted to a picture gallery. Church of Christ Pantocrator of Nesebar was included in the list of UNESCO's cultural and historical heritage.

 

15. Church of Saint John Aliturgetos of Nesebar (Nesebar)

Constructed: 14th century

Church of Saint John or Ioan of Nesebar is one of the most colorful religious structures on the island of Nesebar. It was constructed in the 14th century. It is 10 m wide and 19 m long with two entrances in the North and South sides of the church. It is an usual feature for the Bulgarian Christian temples of the medieval period. Its name "aliturgetos" means "without a liturgy" in Greek. According to a legend a local man worked here during construction, slipped and fell to his death. Religious officials did not allow to consecrate Nesebar church because of this tragic event. Although certain services were held here, the main service of liturgy was never performed here. It basically served more of the prayer house rather than a real church. This church has traditional three altar apses and a narthex. It was heavily damaged during Chirpansko earthquake in 1913 that ended its use as a Orthodox Christian Church. Today it is more of the museum. On the remains of the Western wall, opposite of the altar you can find drawings of the ships that date back to the 1300's. The floor of the church is covered by mosaics from white, red and green squares, circles and triangles.