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Boyana Church

Boyana Church is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, located on the outskirts of Sofia in the Boyana quarter. The church consists of three buildings constructed in the 10th, 13th, and 19th centuries. It is world-famous for its 13th-century frescoes, painted in 1259, which are considered among the finest examples of medieval Eastern European art and precursors to the Italian Renaissance. The 89 scenes depicting 240 human figures showcase remarkable realism and emotional depth that was revolutionary for their time.

Practical Information

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Visit Duration

Minimum0.5 hours
Recommended0.5 hours
Maximum1 hours

Entrance Fee

Adult
12 BGN~12.0 $

12 BGN (about 5 EUR). Free for disabled and soldiers. Free first Monday of month. No advance reservations. 10min visits only

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings to avoid crowds. Book in advance as only 9 visitors allowed inside at a time for 10 minutes

Crowd Level

Moderate — comfortable
Official Website

How to Get There

Located in Boyana district, 8 km from city center. Bus 63 or 111 from center. Taxi costs 25-30 BGN. Combine with National History Museum nearby

What to Expect

A small but incredibly significant church with world-class medieval frescoes. The visit is short but the artistic achievement is remarkable.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Not available

Facilities & Services

toilets
parking

Working Hours

Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Monday09:00 — 17:30
Tuesday09:00 — 17:30
Wednesday09:00 — 17:30
Thursday09:00 — 17:30
Friday09:00 — 17:30
Saturday09:00 — 17:30
Sunday09:00 — 17:30
Note

Boyana Church is a UNESCO site with unique medieval frescoes from 1259. Visits strictly limited: groups of 8 for 15 minutes to preserve artwork. Advance booking recommended. First Monday of month - free admission. Buses 64, 107.

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Not accessible

faq.title

faq.subtitle Boyana Church

The 1259 frescoes are considered precursors to the Italian Renaissance, painted 100 years before Giotto. They show remarkable realism and humanity in depicting religious figures.

No, photography is strictly prohibited inside to protect the delicate frescoes. You can only photograph the exterior.

Travel Tips

Useful tips for visiting Boyana Church

No photography allowed inside. Visits limited to 10 minutes with max 9 people - book ahead in peak season. A guided tour is highly recommended to understand the frescoes.

Located in Boyana district, 8 km from city center. Bus 63 or 111 from center. Taxi costs 25-30 BGN. Combine with National History Museum nearby

A small but incredibly significant church with world-class medieval frescoes. The visit is short but the artistic achievement is remarkable.

Reviews

Weather

Average temperature by month

Nowweather-5°
49%7 м/с
Todayweather1°-6°
Tomorrowweather6°1°
Thuweather6°0°
Friweather5°1°
Satweather3°0°
Sunweather1°-3°
Monweather-1°-3°
4°
-4°Jan
7°
-2°Feb
11°
1°Mar
17°
5°Apr
21°
10°May
25°
13°Jun
28°
15°Jul
28°
15°Aug
23°
11°Sep
18°
6°Oct
11°
2°Nov
5°
-2°Dec

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