The church of St.George

Old christian church Originally uploaded by andygavin.

Recently I went on a quick trip to look round Bulgaria, who are soon to enter the EU. I stumbled upon this church sheltered in a government courtyard in Sophia. The church of St. George was rebuilt, with the help of the EU, in the 90's. Much of the original chuch is still in ruins. It dates from the early days of christianity and dates from the 4th or 5th century.

Under the city in the underpasses near the government buildings there are Roman ruins, and Bulgaria could more of it's historical past. Many of the buildings, although under-maintained, have a very european look about them.

It was striking how run down things had got under communism. Many in the west would like to take the credit for the fall of the wall, but looking round the fall of European Communism looks almost self-inflicted. As infrastructure begun to decay it wasn't sustainable.