St Panteleimon Rock Church

The Church of St Panteleimon is a rock-cut church hollowed into limestone near the village of Mihalich in Svilengrad Municipality, Bulgaria. This cultural monument is of national significance and is the only one of its kind in the country, with a unique triconch form. It dates from the 10th century and is thought to have been used by monks and hermits who followed various heresies.

The church lies in a limestone massif known as Ay Pando, meaning St Pando in Greek, about 1.5 km south of Mihalich.

Its features include a triconch form cut entirely into limestone. Interestingly, the church gives the impression of a cross-domed building despite being rock-cut. Part of this illusion is created by a central dome 5.5 metres in diameter and 6 metres high. The conches are almost equal in size, although the eastern one has been enlarged by the breaking away of rock. To emphasise the architectural illusion of a constructed building, column capitals, or pilasters, were carved between the conches instead of squinches or pendentives, creating the impression that columns support the dome. A cross with arms widening inwards is carved in the corner between the eastern and left-hand conches. The church contains an altar consisting of a wall of flat stones.

The Church of St Panteleimon offers a unique architectural experience and is also the subject of a local legend. According to local people, water flowing down its walls has healing properties. It is also said that the church is inhabited by two guardian snakes, which appear whenever someone with bad intentions tries to enter.