The Assumption of Virgin Mary Church – the town of Elena

The Assumption of Virgin Mary Church is one of the most prominent attractions in the town of Elena (North Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo district). The church is a unique architecture and art monument from the National Revival Period. It raises in one and the same yard with the St. Nikola church. It was constructed over the ruins of an old temple by the initiative of rich Elena-citizens. The building started in 1836 and was completed in 1838. The construction was performed by master Miho of the Gorni Bolerci hamlet, neat Elena. It is entirely built by stone, using the material of the destroyed fortress. The impressive size (33 m length, 21 m width, and 25 m in height) and architecture of the temple make it one of the most important examples of the church construction from the National Revival Period. It was the biggest temple in Northern Bulgaria by the Liberation (1878) and is still one of the biggest in the country. The belfry tower is a separate construction built 1912.