-

Kyustendil is a town with ancient traditions and seven thousand years old history. With its healing mineral springs, the town offers excellent conditions for rest and disease treatment. The town offers many landmarks left since ancient times until nowadays- ancient Roman baths II-III century, the Fortress "Hisarlaka", Pirgova Tower, the mosques "Fatih Mehmed" and "Ahmed Bei". The Osogovo region "Tri Buki" with modern hotel and developed sports and ski base is situated 20 km away from the town.

-

The church dates back to the end of X century and the beginning of XI century. It is a national monument of culture with great archaeological, art and historical value as the oldest preserved Medieval church in South-western Bulgaria. Inside of it are discovered frescoes from the beginning of XII, XV-XVI and XIX centuries, which are rare monuments of the church mural painting. The medieval iconography, which is work of master icon-painters from the Solun schooling, is presented by Saints- Healers- St. Panteleimon and St. Ermolai, St. Damyan and St Kozma, St. Mina as well as by the painters St. Varvara, St. Nedelya, St. Petka and St. Ekatherina. The best preserved image is that of St Nikolay. Since XV-XVI century have been preserved the icons of St. Sava the Serb and St. John the Babthian. A bigger part of the exhibited objects belong to the Revival Mural paintings since the end of XIX century. In close vicinity to the church is situated the Revival building, where a part of the preserved Revival period icons are exhibited and other monuments and records of the church mural painting.

The first restoration of the church is made in 1882, after the church was destroyed by the Ottomans nearly to the base of the vaults a few decades before that. An additional part - vaulted roof, entrance and bell tower were built when the church was functioning. Since the 70-es of XX century a new restoration has been started, which due to lack of money was finished yet in 2003. The church was restored in its Medieval original view.