Church of St. Dmitry Thessaloniki description and photos - Bulgaria: Plovdiv (Topic)

Church of St. Dmitry of Thessaloniki description and photos - Bulgaria: Plovdiv. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photos and a map showing the nearest significant objects.

Photo and description

The Orthodox Church of St. Dmitry Thessaloniki is located in the central part of the city of Plovdiv, called the "Old Town". The building that can be seen today was built in 1830 and consecrated eight years later. However, researchers believe that the current church had many "predecessors". Presumably, for the first time a temple on this site was erected during the reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II (XIII century) in honor of the victory in the Battle of Klokotnitsa in 1230. What was the history of this church cannot be said with certainty. Probably, during the years of Ottoman slavery, it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. German theologian and preacher Stefan Gerlach in 1578 mentions in his notes the basilica, which stood on the site where the church of St. Dmitry is now located.

During the last restoration of the church in the early 19th century, it was a small dilapidated building. The building was in such poor condition that it was decided to demolish it and rebuild the church here. Everybody raised funds for the construction - from ordinary parishioners to representatives of the top of the Bulgarian diocese.

The Church of St. Dmitry is a three-nave basilica measuring 28 x 19 x 11.5 meters with a pentahedral apse. The facade of the monumental building is distinguished by an exquisite and rich decor in the form of sculptural elements: columns, ornaments, etc. Three doors lead to the church - from the north, south and west. Two rows of six columns each divide the interior of the temple into three naves. The vaulted ceilings above them are located under a common gable roof without domes. There are three thrones in the church: the central one is Saint Dmitry the northern one - St. Athanasius and the southern one - St. Harlampius.

A real work of art is the iconostasis created by masters from white, gray and colored marble. Its total length is 14 meters. Fourteen marble columns divide it into sectors with icons. The arch-shaped pediment above the central iconostasis reaches 7.5 meters in height. It is crowned with a crucifix, below which is the image of the Last Supper and a row of 11 small icons. The iconostases at the southern and northern throne are much lower - 3.7 meters in height. The Royal Doors are made of carved gilded wood. The icons for the temple were painted by a talented painter in 1870. Many of them are plated with silver and gold.

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Topic: Church of St. Dmitry Thessaloniki description and photos - Bulgaria: Plovdiv.