Round Church, Preslav Religious Site

Address: Round Church archaeological site, Veliki Preslav / Preslav, Shumen Province, Bulgaria

Round Church, Preslav is a medieval rotunda in the archaeological complex of Veliki Preslav, the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire. It dates to the 10th century and is part of the remains of the medieval royal and ecclesiastical centre at Preslav.

The surviving structure is a circular plan church and adjoining ruins set within the archaeological reserve; visitors typically see the masonry foundations and fragments of the church’s ambulatory and apse. The site is interpreted alongside nearby excavations of palaces, fortifications and other churches from the same period.

The church was built during the height of Preslav’s importance as a political and cultural centre of the Bulgarian state and belongs to the medieval urban complex of Veliki Preslav. Over time the city was abandoned and the buildings fell into ruin; archaeological excavations in the 20th century uncovered the church remains.

The ruin sits at the archaeological site of Veliki Preslav in northeastern Bulgaria, within Shumen Province, a short drive from the modern town of Preslav and approximately 35-40 km east of the city of Shumen.

The Round Church (Veliki Preslav) is in the town of Veliki Preslav near Shumen. You can reach Veliki Preslav by car or by regional bus services from Shumen; once in town the archaeological site and the church ruins are within easy walking distance from the town centre and local parking.

• Arrive at the Round Church (Preslav) early in the morning or midweek to enjoy the archaeological reserve with fewer visitors and better light for viewing the ruins and mosaics panels.
• Combine the outdoor ruins with a visit to the nearby local archaeological museum or information panels - many visitors miss the interpretive displays that explain the site's role in the First Bulgarian Empire and its original decorative program.
• Use the main archaeological‑reserve entrance and check opening times in advance; services and signage can be limited outside staffed hours, so plan around the visitor centre to get the most context for the ruins.