Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension

must see. 10/10. Don't miss out. photos can't describe the feeling you get when you get through the door. truly masterpieces of wall paintings telling stories

Câte ceva despre biserica !!

Ascension Cathedral (Veliko Tarnovo)
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The Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of the Lord (Bulgarian: Патриаршеска катедрала „Свето Възнесение Господне“, Patriarsheska katedrala „Sveto Vaznesenie Gospodne“) is a former Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the city of Veliko Tarnovo, in north central Bulgaria. Located on top of the fortified Tsarevets hill in the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the cathedral was the seat of the Bulgarian patriarch from its construction in the 11th–12th century to its destruction in 1393.

Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of the Lord
Патриаршеска катедрала "Свето Възнесение Господне", Patriarsheska katedrala "Sveto Vaznesenie Gospodne"
View of a medieval Byzantine-style church's front facade and bell tower slightly from below, with partially destroyed stone walls in the foreground
The Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of the Lord topping the Tsarevets hill in Veliko Tarnovo
MapWikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
43°4′58″N 25°39′8.3″E
Country
Bulgaria
Denomination
Eastern Orthodox
Standing on top of a late Roman church, the cathedral, reconstructed in the 1970s and 1980s, follows a cross-domed plan with a bell tower and a triple apse. Richly decorated on both the exterior and interior, its internal walls now feature modern frescoes, the presence of which has meant that it has not been reconsecrated. Though not active as a Christian place of worship, it has been open for visitors since 1985.

History
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The Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of the Lord is not the first church building to occupy the position on the top of Tsarevets hill. It was constructed directly on top of a late Roman (early Byzantine) basilica which dates to the 5th–6th century AD. The Roman basilica may have remained in use by the local congregation during the First Bulgarian Empire, though it was no longer active by the time the construction of the current church began.[1][2]

Clumsy black and white sketch of a medieval city with several towers and a large church visible
The Patriarchal Cathedral as illustrated in a sketch in the 14th-century Braşov Menaion
The current building of the Patriarchal Cathedral is considered by scholars to have been built in two stages. The first stage of construction was carried out in the late 11th century or the 12th century. The cathedral was initially built as a monastery church in the middle of a monastery compound, though in the early 12th century it was already the seat of the Bulgarian patriarch. The compound suffered large-scale damage caused by a fire, which necessitated the church's reconstruction in middle of the 14th century, perhaps during the rule of Tsar Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria (r. 1331–71). Besides repair and reinforcement efforts, work on the church in the 14th century also included the construction of the exonarthex and the bell tower.[1]

There are several references to the cathedral in medieval sources. The earliest reference to the church tells of the transfer of Saint Michael the Warrior's relics from the Potuka fortress to the Patriarchal Cathedral on the order of Tsar Kaloyan (r. 1197–1207).[3] The housing of a warrior saint's relics in the Patriarchal Cathedral signifies the incessant warfare against Byzantines and Latins that dominated Kaloyan's reign. In the late 14th century, the last Patriarch of Tarnovo, Saint Evtimiy, described the church as the "great patriarch's Cathedral of the Holy Ascension" in his writings.[1]

Another possible reference to the church may be in a marginal note from 1358 to a copy of the Acts of the Apostles. In the note, the copyist, one Laloe, thanks God and the "Holy and Most Glorious Ascension" for having finished his work on the book. Scholar Bistra Nikolova believes this to be an allusion to the Patriarchal Cathedral, which may have patronised the project. Alternatively, the copy could have been made at the cathedral's scriptorium, where Laloe may have worked.[1]

This is one of the most incredible church I have ever seen. I have never seen anyone like that before.

Unique art and feeling inside. Beautiful building. Well kept, worth the visit

Its a huge area! You can go inside the church and admire some extraordinary paintings on the wall. You have a beautiful view over V. Tarnovo and the entrance is only 2Lew for Students! You can go Different ways because it s that big! If youre traveling around this corner, you definitely have to visit this fortress!

I was amazed by the unique paintings inside. I usually don't like churches and the vibe they give you, but this one is really amazing and you should not miss it for sure.

Tsarevets Fortress to Ascension Cathedral, the structure looks like any medieval church, following a Byzantine design and topped with crosses. But the interior is unlike that of any other Christian building.
In the fifth century, the hilltop was already the site of a Roman basilica, and the cathedral was built in the 11th and 12th centuries, during the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire, among other buildings that made the stronghold a center of political and religious activity. But by 1393, troops of the Ottoman sultan conquered the fortress and destroyed the cathedral.

Exciting paintings. Obviouslt not reconsecrated but still worthwhile to visit

Super unique art inside!

The inside of the church is too creepy, dramatic, mystical, I'm curious to know the intention and story behind this art. Fans of illustration and manga would enjoy the drawings. The inside actually has nothing to do with normal churches architecture. But I loved it it's very unique. Also the doors, details, it is interesting.

The interior iconographical program is interested and captivating. It’s aspired from renaissance era, modernism and Byzantine figures from portable icons.

Castle is beautiful and attractive a lot!

Great place to go on our visit if царевец (Zarewez). The church is well renovated, the paintings inside are great and on the back you can have an amazing view, if you take the elevator for 2 лева.

If you are in Veliko and visiting Tsarevets, you can't miss this Church.
It's painted in a very unique and surprising style for an Orthodox church by a Bulgarian Painter. Due to this paintings no mass is allowed in the church, however the church, inside and out is beautiful.

Incredibil, a very nice place to visit!

The paint is very cool.

Very impressed about the paintings. Also very nice place for a walk around the old ruins.

Really great view!

It's amazing ... holy place

Super ok.