Saint George Rotunda

The oldest building in Sofia, dating back to the 4th century AD. This small but remarkably preserved Roman rotunda was originally a bathhouse, then converted to a church. Inside, you'll find three layers of medieval frescoes, the oldest dating to the 10th century. Surrounded by the remains of Roman Serdica, it sits in the courtyard of the Presidency.

The Rotunda of Saint George Rotunda is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Sofia and the best-preserved building from the city’s antiquity. Built in the 4th century as part of a large public complex in the so-called “Constantine’s Quarter,” it stands as a witness to the rich history of Serdica–Sredets—a place where the palaces of Constantine the Great and later the sebastokrator Kaloyan were located.

In the area surrounding the rotunda, visitors can see remains of ancient streets with well-preserved Roman sewage systems, the foundations of a large three-aisled basilica—likely a public building—as well as smaller structures with various functions. One of them features a hypocaust, an ancient heating system, whose tiles can still be seen beneath the raised floor. All these elements reveal that the rotunda was part of a complex of great importance to urban life during the Late Antiquity period.

The rotunda itself impresses with its architectural perfection and remarkable durability. Its interior walls preserve five layers of frescoes created in different historical periods, along with a decorative layer from the time when the building was converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule. On the eastern vault, visitors can see a 10th-century fresco of Archangel Michael, notable for its expressiveness and fine detail—a vivid representation of the spiritual strength and artistic tradition of medieval Bulgaria.

Following the bombings of 1944, remains of ancient buildings were uncovered around the rotunda, further highlighting its historical significance and its connection to ancient Serdica. Later, the large-scale construction of the Government complex partially disrupted the visual connection between the rotunda and the rest of the city, yet it remains a central point of Sofia’s spiritual and cultural life.

Today, the rotunda serves as the patron church of the Bulgarian Army, where ceremonies such as the blessing of military flags and other official rituals are held. A visit offers a unique opportunity to experience over a thousand years of Sofia’s history, to witness the direct connection between antiquity, the medieval period, and modern times, and to feel the atmosphere of a place that has endured for more than a millennium.