The Boyana Church / Bulgaria / - a monument under the aegis of UNESCO

Legend tells that the anonymous Boyan master was in love with the wife of Sevastokrator Kaloyan - Desislava. Her image strikes with the beauty and soft femininity she radiates. Boyana Church "St. St. Nicholas and Panteleimon "is situated at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. It is one of the few medieval monuments of Christian art that have reached to this day. The Boyana Church owes its worldwide reputation to the frescoes of 1259 that reflect the outstanding achievements of Bulgarian medieval culture. Each of the over 240 images is distinguished by its individuality and high artistic value. The portraits of the donors - the sevastokrator Kaloyan and his wife Desislava, and the Bulgarian Tsar Konstantin Assen Tih (ruled from 1257 to 1277) and Queen Irina are some of the oldest preserved portraits of historical figures. In the narthex through 18 scenes incorporating elements of the lifestyle of contemporary artists, the life of Saint Nicholas, one of the patrons of the temple, is illustrated. Among the saints depicted here is the oldest preserved portrait of the Bulgarian national saint Ivan Rilski, who lived in the 10th century and founded the Rila Monastery.