church john baptist bulgarian known locally small medieval eastern orthodox church town south central bulgaria church located cliff west town dates 12th 14th centuries exterior decorated blind arches interior features 18th century fragments 14th century murals high position north wall church suitable defensive outpost location history church john baptist known locals located high cliff western outskirts belong old town allow construction terrain foundations reinforced church lies close ancient chapel entry holy mother god temple nearby 17th century water fountain remains medieval fortifications date 11th 13th century buildings contribute medieval atmosphere church dated art historian placed 14th century scholar dated 13th century archaeologist opinion theories equally likely architecture writer gives possible range 12th 14th century belonged northern fortifications medieval known greek continuous operation late 18th early 19th century suffered significant damage ottoman raids reconstruction works carried soon roof upper parts church modified interior time church protected national antiquity enlisted bulgaria monuments culture national importance church reconstructed 2000s team architect restoration efforts restored windows interior took days architecture decoration church john baptist relatively small measuring metres metres height metres terms design follows byzantine cross square style church lacks features single triangular small windows eastern wall carries clearly divides interior altar altar includes housed bays east wall church built rows stones facing blind arches form important church exterior decoration north south walls additional west wall walls metre thick architecture church closely resembles medieval religious buildings close surroundings notably fortress south unique feature north wall enabled church quickly converted defensive tower surviving church interior walls date 18th century include images mother god jesus christ john baptist painted church reconstruction restoration works carried 2000s uncovered 14th century murals depicting meeting elizabeth mary
Church of St John the Baptist, Asenovgrad