Bulgarian St. Stephens Church
It is an old Eastern Orthodox church located in the city of Nessebar in Eastern Bulgaria, which has been converted into a museum today. It is part of the city's architectural and historical conservation area, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of 100 national tourist sites. The building consists of a three-nave basilica measuring 12.1 x 9.5 meters and served as the cathedral church of the metropolitan center of Nessebar province. The church has been restored and expanded several times, and it is difficult to date it precisely. The eastern part is the oldest and probably dates back to the 11th century. Several centuries later, the church was expanded by adding a new structure to the west. The western wall was demolished and the existing narthex was built. The church had a wooden roof. Its exterior facade has a rich design. The eastern and western facades are crowned with three-leaf arched pediments. The eastern facade is more detailed. The central apse is higher than the side ones, consisting of three high apses. All three are decorated with ceramic tiles. The mixed masonry of stone and brick creates a colorful effect without adhering to any fixed pattern. The decoration of the facade is the reason why this church is defined as an example of ornamental architectural style.
