The Rotunda of St George is the quiet surprise of central Sofia. Step through the passage behind the Presidency and you find a small round red-brick church sitting below street level among the foundations of Roman Serdica, with modern office blocks on every side. It was built by the Romans in the fourth century and is considered the oldest standing building in the city. Over the centuries it served as a Christian church, an Ottoman mosque and a church again. Inside the dome, layers of frescoes from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries survive, including a ring of prophets and a striking Christ Pantocrator. Around it you can trace a Roman street and the remains of a large public building. It is an active church, free to enter.
How to find it: the rotunda sits in the enclosed courtyard between the Presidency and the large hotel on Sveta Nedelya Square. Enter through the archway off the Largo or from Saborna Street; most visitors walk past without noticing it.
What to expect: the interior is small and dim, so a visit takes fifteen to twenty minutes. Services are still held, so be discreet, dress modestly and ask before taking photographs. The frescoes are best seen with a little patience as your eyes adjust.
Making the most of it: link it into a walk through the centre’s layers of history, starting at the Serdica ruins, continuing to the rotunda and the National Archaeological Museum, and finishing at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Time it to see the guard outside the Presidency on the way.
What to expect
The experience
A short visit to a tiny Roman-era church with medieval frescoes, set among excavated ruins.
Best time
Any time it is open; mornings are quietest.
How long
Twenty to thirty minutes.
Tips
Enter through the courtyard behind the Presidency and be discreet during services.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A five-minute detour that adds sixteen centuries to your day.
- Families
- Short and free; the ruins around it are fun to explore.
- Couples
- A hidden corner to find together in the middle of the city.
- Pair with
- The National Archaeological Museum and the Serdica ruins.
- Time needed
- Half an hour.
Good questions
How old is the Rotunda of St George?+
It was built by the Romans in the fourth century and is considered the oldest standing building in Sofia.
Is it free to visit?+
Yes, it is an active church and entry is free.
Where is it?+
In the courtyard behind the Presidency, between the Largo and Sveta Nedelya Square.
Can I take photos?+
Ask first and never during services.
What are the frescoes?+
Several layers painted between the tenth and fourteenth centuries.
