The church was constructed using private donations specifically at the location where Vanga believed she received her visions.
The iconography inside the church is unconventional, with faces of the saints painted in a realistic and non-canonical style by Svetlin Rusev.
The local mineral springs were once used as part of a Soviet-era volcanic research project due to the area's geothermal activity.
The temple was consecrated in 1994, two years before Vanga’s death.
The surrounding park features a variety of sub-Mediterranean vegetation, including rare species that thrive in the microclimate of the volcanic caldera.
The church is located near the ancient Roman city of Heraclea Sintica, which is currently undergoing active archaeological excavation.
St. Petka of the Bulgarians is a church commissioned by the Bulgarian mystic Vanga and built in 1994 near her final residence in the Rupite area. The site sits within the caldera of a dormant volcano, characterized by geothermal springs and mineral pools that maintain a constant temperature of 75°C. Svetlin Rusev, a prominent Bulgarian artist, created the interior icons, which depart from traditional Eastern Orthodox iconography. The church architecture incorporates elements of modern design, featuring a distinctively unconventional dome and structural layout. It serves as a pilgrimage site for those associated with Vanga's legacy and those visiting the surrounding thermal landscape. The church grounds are part of a larger park complex that includes the house where Vanga lived and a statue dedicated to her.
The elevated path leading to the church entrance offers a framing of the building against the backdrop of the volcanic hill Kožuh.
Combine your visit with a short walk to the nearby ruins of Heraclea Sintica, which are accessible from the same site area.
Carry a light jacket even in summer as the proximity to the mineral springs and the caldera floor can create unpredictable localized temperature shifts.
Visit on a weekday to avoid the heavy crowds of weekend pilgrims.
Do not attempt to swim in the boiling geothermal springs directly at the source, as the temperatures are hazardous; use only designated pools.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; head coverings for women are traditionally expected but not strictly enforced; photography inside the church is generally prohibited.
