Church of Sts. Theodore, Dobarsko
Църква „Св. св. Теодор Тирон и Теодор Стратилат“
A 1614 stone church, half-sunk into the ground, whose 17th-century murals include a Christ Ascension scene with haloes like spaceships, sometimes jokingly called 'Jesus in a spaceship'.
Dobarsko is an old mountain village on the south slope of the Rila Mountains, about 15 km from Bansko. Its Church of St. Theodore was built in 1614. To avoid Ottoman restrictions, it was partly sunk into the ground and looks low and modest from outside, yet its interior is covered with 17th-century murals. One Ascension scene shows Christ with a halo and light beams in an unusual shape, which people have compared to a 'spaceship', drawing many curious visitors. You need to find the caretaker to open the church, and there is a small entry fee. From the village you can look over the Razlog Valley and panoramic views of the Pirin Mountains.
Opening hours
Daytime; contact the caretaker
Nearby sights
- Nikola Vaptsarov House Museum
- Bansko Old Town & Mehanas
- Bansko School of Icon Painting Museum
- Neofit Rilski House Museum
- Holy Trinity Church
- Velyanova House
- Septemvri–Dobrinishte Narrow-Gauge Railway
- Bansko Ski Resort