Medieval Church with Basilica, Sozopol

The Medieval Church with Basilica in Sozopol stands as a testament to the town's long and layered history. Located in the heart of the old town, the basilica's remains offer a glimpse into Sozopol's religious and architectural past. The church was the seat of the Sozopol Episcopate from the 10th to the 17th centuries. The basilica was built upon the ruins of residential buildings dating back to the classical and Hellenistic periods of Apollonia (5th - 2nd century BC). In the 9th century, a fire destroyed the temple. It was rebuilt at the end of the 11th century and adorned with frescoes. A monastery complex, including a monastic ossuary, was constructed around the church. Archaeological evidence suggests the complex is linked to the urban monastery of St. John. The basilica underwent significant reconstruction from the late 11th to the late 14th century, transforming its original basilica plan into a cruciform structure. Further modifications occurred between the late 14th and early 17th centuries. The church was ultimately destroyed by Turkish authorities in the late 17th century and ceased to function. Excavations in the churchyard and within the church revealed over 250 tomb facilities dating from the 10th to 14th centuries. The basilica features a Constantinople-style cruciform plan, measuring 36 x 13.35 meters. The floor was covered in a mosaic of red, black, and white tiles. Remnants of a baptizing pool, measuring 1.8 meters in diameter, and a richly decorated marble altar arch have also been discovered.