Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria in pictures

The submerged church at the village of Zapalnia

The church of St. John of Rila (Ivan Rilski) was built by Tryavna craftsmen at the end of the 19th century in the former village of Zapalnya. In 1965, the village was submerged because of the newly built dam Zhrebchevo. Its inhabitants were ordered to tear down their houses and leave the village.  

The only intact building is the church. Because it is located on a hill, it remains partly above the surface of the water.  

In the summer, the level of the dam drops and exposes the building, but the water has marked the shell-covered facade.  

Due to its mystical, solitary beauty, the submerged church of Zhrebchevo Dam is a favorite site for photographers. 

Photo: Maria Stoeva



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sand Sculptures Festival in Burgas

Summer is here, and once again, Park Ezero (Lake) in Burgas is hosting the festival of sand sculptures. The theme this year is comic book and film characters. Some of the sculptures are of characters from Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast, and..

published on 7/11/23 10:43 AM

Dragon boat race held in Lake Pancharevo near Sofia for the first time

A Chinese tradition came to life within the framework of the first two-day Dragon Boat Festival in Bulgaria, which is one of the numerous events that are part of the program of "Summer with Chinese Culture in Bulgaria" (June-August). The..

published on 6/26/23 1:03 PM

Veliko Tarnovo from a bird's eye view

The town of Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria, is one of the most beautiful and ‎preferred destinations for cultural tourism, visited every year by a record number of guests from ‎the country and from all..

published on 6/7/23 3:16 PM