Bulgaria

Church of Saint Stephen

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The Church of Saint Stephen (Sveti Stefan) is one of the most magnificent medieval churches constructed in the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic city of Nessebar. It’s well worth taking your time to visit.

Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Church of Saint Stephen

 

History

This Byzantine-style church was built by the Bulgarians in the 11th century near the entrance to the historic peninsula. It served as the new Metropolitan Church of Nessebar replacing Hagia Sophia. It was enlarged several times and was reconstructed in the 16th to 18th centuries. The church measures 12.1 x 9.5 meters.

 

Visiting

The Church of St. Stephen is now a museum preserving its incredible frescoes. There are several different options for admission and choices can get quite complicated. I’ve listed a handful below. Prices are current as of August 2025. Visit the official website for more info.

  • Admission to the Church of St. Stephen only is 9лв for adults and 4.50лв for kids.
  • Admission to the Church of St. Stephen and Church of the Holy Saviour (Sveti Spas) is 12лв for adults and 6лв for kids.
  • Admission to the Church of St. Stephen and the Archaeological Museum is 15лв for adults and 8лв for kids.
  • Admission to all four churches in Nessebar is 19лв for adults and 9лв for kids.
  • Admission to all museum sites in Nessebar is 35лв for adults and 17лв for kids.

 

The following is a collection of photos I took at the church:

 

Narthex
Narthex at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Narthex
Virgin and Child in the narthex at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Virgin and Child
Archangels
Narthex
Narthex at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Narthex

 

Nave
Nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Nave
Pulpit in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Pulpit
Dormition of the Virgin (top) in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Dormition of the Virgin (top)
Frescoes on an arch
Frescoes in the nave
Biblical scenes (top) and saints (bottom) in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Biblical scenes (top) and saints (bottom)
Biblical scenes
Saint Ignatius Theophorus (left) and Saint Sylvester (right) in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Saint Ignatius Theophorus (left) and Saint Sylvester (right)
Saints Constantine and Helen in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Saints Constantine and Helen
Frescoes of Biblical scenes in the nave
Nave
Frescoes of saints on the underside of an arch in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Frescoes of saints on the underside of an arch
Looking up
Biblical scene
Throne in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Throne
Nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Nave
Niche with Saint John in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Niche with Saint John
Nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Nave
Frescoes in the nave
Looking up
Damaged fresco in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Damaged fresco

 

Iconostasis:
Iconostasis in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Iconostasis
Iconostasis
Cross on the iconostasis in the nave at the Church of Saint Stephen in Nessebar, Bulgaria
Cross on the iconostasis

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Purdue Boilermaker. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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