Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The Double Christ depicted on a fresco in Bulgaria's Zemen Monastery

The Double Jesus Fresco in Bulgaria's Zemen monastery
Photo: BGNES

A fresco recreating the forging of the nails for the Crucifixion can be seen in the Zemen Monastery in central Western Bulgaria. It was painted in the 14th century and is the only one of its kind, as the scene is not found in world religious painting, the Regional Administration in Pernik reports.

The frescoes in the monastery church  of St. John the Theologian trace Jesus' journey to Golgotha. An unknown artist in Bulgaria has interpreted the biblical plot "The Last Supper" in a special way, depicting Christ twice - one handing the bread and the other pouring the wine. The "double Christ" cannot be seen anywhere else, the district administration claims. 
This different interpretation makes the temple extremely valuable for world culture.



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

Spanish writer Ana Andreu Baquero to present her novel "The Princess of Buchenwald"

Spanish writer Ana Andreu Baquero is coming to Bulgaria to present her novel "The Princess of Buchenwald" , the Cervantes Institute, which is organising the event with the Hermes publishing house, announced.  The presentation of the book is scheduled..

published on 2/12/25 8:10 AM

Bulgaria Gallery in Rome dedicates an evening to healer Ivan Raev

On February 12, in the cosy space of the Bulgaria Gallery in the heart of Rome, compatriots and Italians will gather to commemorate a Bulgarian healer who with perseverance and dedication managed to change the lives of thousands of..

published on 2/11/25 8:41 PM
Georgi Grozev

Georgi Grozev studies trumpet in Ghent and represents Bulgaria around the world

"Music discovered me," says Georgi Grozev and tells us with a smile how in kindergarten he went to sign up for piano lessons on his own. "And that is how my journey in music started, almost as a joke." Georgi Grozev studies..

published on 2/11/25 1:14 PM