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Rotunda of St. George

The Rotunda of St. George is the oldest preserved building in Sofia, dating to the early 4th century CE. Originally built as Roman public baths during the reign of Emperor Galerius or Constantine the Great, it was later converted into a church. The red-brick cylindrical building features a 13.7-meter high dome and five layers of frescoes spanning from the 4th to 14th centuries. During Ottoman rule, it served as a mosque. The church is now an active Orthodox church and stands in an archaeological complex surrounded by the ruins of ancient Serdica, including Roman streets and building foundation...

Practical Information

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Visit Duration

Minimum0.25 hours
Recommended0.5 hours
Maximum0.5 hours

Entrance Fee

Free

Free entry. No photos inside. Active church - be quiet. Cheap souvenirs inside. 4th century building

Best Time to Visit

Morning for best light on the frescoes. Combine with exploration of the surrounding Roman ruins

Crowd Level

Low — few visitors
Official Website

How to Get There

Located in central Sofia behind the Presidency building, between TZUM and Sheraton Hotel. Metro to Serdika station

What to Expect

A surprisingly intact ancient building in the heart of modern Sofia. The layers of frescoes and surrounding ruins provide a tangible connection to 17 centuries of history.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Not available

Facilities & Services

gift shop

Working Hours

Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Monday08:00 — 18:00
Tuesday08:00 — 18:00
Wednesday08:00 — 18:00
Thursday08:00 — 18:00
Friday08:00 — 18:00
Saturday08:00 — 18:00
Sunday08:00 — 18:00
Note

Oldest building in Sofia. Services: 8am, 5pm, 9pm. No photos inside

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Fully accessible

faq.title

faq.subtitle Rotunda of St. George

The Rotunda was built in the early 4th century CE, making it approximately 1,700 years old and the oldest building in Sofia.

The frescoes span centuries: 4th-century Roman-Byzantine floral motifs, 10th-century Bulgarian medieval angels, 11th-12th century prophets and biblical scenes, later medieval additions, and Ottoman-era decorations.

Travel Tips

Useful tips for visiting Rotunda of St. George

Walk around the archaeological complex to see the exposed Roman ruins. The changing of the guard at the nearby Presidency happens on the hour. Combine with visits to the Archaeological Museum across the street.

Located in central Sofia behind the Presidency building, between TZUM and Sheraton Hotel. Metro to Serdika station

A surprisingly intact ancient building in the heart of modern Sofia. The layers of frescoes and surrounding ruins provide a tangible connection to 17 centuries of history.

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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