St. Stephen’s Bulgarian Orthodox Church

St. Stephen’s Bulgarian Orthodox Church, located in the historic neighborhood of Balat in Turkey, is an impressive example of the Eastern Orthodox architectural style. The church, dedicated to the Apostle Stephen, has a creamy white façade with golden domes and cupolas, the latter being a symbol of power and eternity. Inside the church, visitors will find intricate wall and ceiling decorations, painted in great detail by the renowned Bulgarian artist Vassil Zograf. The church serves today as a place of pilgrimage and a spiritual center for the Bulgarian community in Istanbul. Visitors can also explore the nearby grounds, which include an old cemetery where many well-known Bulgarian intellectuals, public figures and priests have been buried.