Sveta Petka Samardzhiyska Church

Sveta Petka Samardzhiyska Church is a tiny medieval Orthodox church sunk below street level in the underpass beside the TSUM department store, in the very centre of Sofia, Bulgaria, just by Sveta Nedelya Square. Its low, partly buried form has made it one of the city's most unexpected sights: modern traffic and shopping surround a small brick-and-stone building from the medieval period, with its roof barely rising above the pavement. The name refers to St Petka and to the saddlers, or samardzhii, who once worked nearby and supported the church. The structure is single-nave with a barrel vault, and the interior preserves fragments of medieval frescoes, including murals dating from the fourteenth century and later layers from the Ottoman period. The space is very small, so only a few visitors fit at a time, and the atmosphere is intimate and quiet. The church is still used for worship and is open for short periods, so visitors should check the door for opening times and expect it to be closed at some points in the day. A visit takes ten to fifteen minutes. Entry is typically free, with donations welcome, and modest dress and quiet behaviour are expected. For photographers, the best view of the exterior is from the underpass stairs and the small sunken courtyard, where the church sits against the modern surroundings; interior photography is usually restricted, so visitors should ask. Crowds are rarely a problem, though midday queues can form for the tiny interior. The church combines easily with Sveta Nedelya Church, the Serdica ruins and Vitosha Boulevard within a few minutes' walk.