Sacral_architecture First_Bulgarian_Empire

after adoption of christianity in 864, intensive construction of churches , monasteries began throughout empire. many of them erected on old pagan temples. new sacral architecture altered appearance of cities , fortresses. construction sponsored state donations rich people, known ktitors. among first places of worship constructed after 864 great basilica of pliska. 1 of biggest structures of time, contemporary europe s longest church, rectangular shape reaching 99 m in length. basilica divided 2 equal parts – a spacious atrium , main building.

during reign of simeon i domed cruciform type of church building introduced , same dominate country s sacral architecture. preslav adorned tens of churches , @ least 8 monasteries. churches decorated ceramics, plastic elements , variety of decorative forms. leading example of city s ecclesiastic architecture splendid round church. domed rotunda two-tiered colonnade in interior , walled atrium niches , columns. style of church had been influenced armenian, byzantine , carolingian architecture. there number of cave monasteries, such murfatlar cave complex, excavations have revealed stone relief murals , inscriptions in 3 alphabets – glagolitic, cyrillic , greek, bulgar runes.

in region of kutmichevitsa south-west, clement of ohrid oversaw construction of monastery of saint panteleimon , 2 churches round , spherical form in late 9th century. in 900 monastery of saint naum established @ expense of pious bulgarian tsar michael-boris , son tsar simeon on shores of lake ohrid @ 30 km south of town major literary centre. other important buildings church of saint sophia in ohrid basilica of saint achillius on , island in lake prespa dimensions of 30 х 50 m, both modelled after great basilica of pliska. these churches had 3 naves , 3 apses. preserved edifices period provide evidence of rich , settled bulgarian culture @ time include 3 small churches dated late 9th or 10th centuries in kostur , church in village of german (both in modern greece).