Church of Christ Pantocrator, Nesebar

The Church of Christ Pantocrator (Bulgarian: църква „Христос Пантократор“, tsarkva „Hristos Pantokrator“ or църква „Христос Вседържател“, tsarkva „Hristos Vsedarzhatel“, Byzantine Greek: Ναός Χριστού Παντοκράτωρος) is a medieval Eastern Orthodox church in the eastern Bulgarian town of Nesebar (medieval Mesembria), on the Black Sea coast of Burgas Province.

Part of the Ancient Nesebar UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Church of Christ Pantocrator was constructed in the 13th–14th century and is best known for its lavish exterior decoration.

The integrated bell tower has been built on top of the narthex, as was customary in contemporary Byzantine church architecture, and extends from the rectangular main structure.

[2][3] The best-known feature of the Church of Christ Pantocrator is the rich and colourful decoration of its exterior walls.

Interchanging strips of three or four rows of bricks and carved stones, which create an optical pattern, are the most basic type of decoration used.

[13] Rows of blind arches, four-leaved floral motifs, triangular ornaments, circular turquoise ceramics and brick swastika friezes run along the east wall.

The dome, which also exhibits a large number of ornamental details and ceramics, features eight windows, one for each of its sides.

A richly decorated triple church apse
View of the elaborately decorated apse from the east
A Byzantine-style church decorated with blind arcades and missing entrances on this side
North facade
Details of the west facade.