Belyova church “Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, Samokov town, murals from Christakis Zografski and Obrazopisov painters, Balkans, Bulgaria
Church “Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, also known as Belyova Church, is the oldest temple within the borders of Samokov. It is believed to lie on the foundations of a late antique basilica of the 4th-6th centuries, and for its "builder" is considered Belyo - local feudal and governor of Samokov during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. It is built of stone and the building from the architectural point of view is extremely simple and unpretentious, typical of the late Middle Ages. What distinguishes it as a remarkable monument of culture is its mural decoration, done by the distinguished Revival icon painter Nikola Obrazopisov and the talented icon-painters Christakis Zografski and Dimitri Dupnichanin. Behind the church there is a holy spring of water, and the fountain in the yard was built in 1879, one year after the Liberation.
Size: 5120px × 3413px
Location: Town of Samokov region, Balkans, Bulgaria, Eastern Europe
Photo credit: © Vladimir Alexeev / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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