Description of the attraction
For the first time the Church of St. Nicholas in Asenovgrad was mentioned in documents in 1720. Twice, in 1793 and in 1810, the city was attacked. The invaders burn Asenovgrad almost to the ground both times. During the restoration work in the 19th century, residents of the city decide to build a new church to replace the destroyed one. Construction continues from 1816 to 1821. The year of the consecration of the church is associated with the placement of a large temple icon in a special iconostasis.
Once there was an ancient cemetery chapel of the 17th century. Who acted as architects and builders of the new temple is not known for certain. Since its construction took place during the years of Ottoman slavery, the temple, as it should have been, was partially dug into the ground. However, even then, the church still amazed with its grandeur. The building has impressive dimensions: the length is 17 meters and the width is 12 meters, the height of the walls is 5 meters. The interior space is divided into three naves by two rows of five columns. In the spacious altar part of the temple there is an apse, on both sides of it six niches are symmetrically located. In the western part of the church, you can see a balcony that once served as a room for women.
Since 1906, restoration work has been carried out in the church several times. At the end of the 20th century, a new dome was installed, marble floors, etc.
When visiting the church, you should pay attention to the carved iconostasis made by an unknown master. The carver gracefully decorated his work with natural motives - flowers, animals. The episcopal throne with images of a two-headed dragon, a lion, the sun and a vine is also originally executed.
The Church of St. Nicholas is an architectural ensemble, which, in addition to the building of the church, also includes the chapel-crypt of Saints Simeon the Stylite and Tryphon Zarezan located in the courtyard. The chapel was built in 1862 and is a one-nave building with an apse and a porch, which rests on four columns. The vaults of the temple are covered with a gable roof. The chapel was painted on the outside and inside by master D. Asteriadi, but now only the interior frescoes have survived.
