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

Mirela Ivanova, Prof. Greddy Assa and Prof. Suzana Klincharova

The Bulgarian Cultural Institute in London will organize meeting with Bulgarian ambassadors of culture

On the eve of one of the brightest Bulgarian holidays - the Day of the National Awakeners of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in London is inviting Bulgarians living in the UK to a meeting-conversation with three contemporary artists -..

published on 10/29/25 3:00 PM

Nuuttipukki vs Kukeri - an exhibition in Pori, Finland

On 17 November 2025, the Finnish-Bulgarian Association will present the exhibition Nuuttipukki vs Kukeri in the city of Pori, Finland, as announced by the Bulgarian Embassy in Finland via its official Facebook page. The exhibition will take place at..

published on 10/28/25 4:13 PM

Bulgarian poem takes part in the exhibition “EU Poetry-Verses Across Borders” in Qatar

Bulgaria participated in the international exhibition titled “EU Poetry-Verses Across Borders”, the Embassy of Bulgaria in Doha announced on Facebook. The event was organized by the Katara Public Diplomacy Center, the Delegation of European Union..

published on 10/24/25 10:06 AM