Boyana Church

◎熊娟娟

Track 5

博雅纳教堂，是保加利亚13 世纪以来唯一一个保存完整、体现保加利亚宫廷艺术特点的文物建筑，被誉为“索非亚王冠上的明珠”，是保加利亚著名的东正教教堂。其古老神秘的壁画、独特非凡的建筑、赏心悦目的周遭风景无一不令人神往。1979 年，它被列入联合国教科文组织世界遗产名录。

Boyana Church is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church located on the1)outskirts of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.It is renowned for its stunning2)frescoes, which are considered some of the most important examples of medieval Eastern Orthodox art in the world.The church was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979,recognizing its outstanding cultural and historical significance.

The church consists of three buildings that date back to different periods in history.The eastern church was constructed in the 10th century, while the central church was built in the 13th century.The western church, a residential wing, was added in the 19th century.The frescoes inside the church are the main attraction, with the oldest ones dating back to the 11th century.These frescoes are considered masterpieces of Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox art and are known for their vivid colors, detailed portrayal of religious scenes, and the emotional depth of the characters depicted.

The frescoes in Boyana Church are divided into several layers, each representing a different historical period.The oldest layer, dating back to the 11th–12th centuries,features images of saints,apostles, and scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.The second layer, from the 13th–14th centuries, includes depictions of historical figures and rulers.The Last Supperand the portraits of saints were particularly renowned.These paintings of the second layer were created by an3)anonymous artist in 1259.Despite the strict religious conventions of the time, the artist boldly employed a more liberated form of expression.The facial expressions of the figures in the frescoes,including the various saints, Carolingian figures, and members of the royal family, are remarkably vivid.They are no longer mere stereotypical idols, but rather portray individuality and distinctive features, displaying a clear sense of realism and bearing a striking4)resemblance to local folk art.This represents one of the most outstanding achievements of medieval Bulgarian art.

Teeming with its artistic significance, Boyana Church is also important for its architectural and historical value.The church’s design reflects the transition from the Byzantine tradition to a more distinct Bulgarian architectural style.The church has survived numerous earthquakes and invasions over the centuries, and its preservation is a testament to the5)resilience of Bulgarian cultural heritage.

The church is surrounded by a beautiful natural setting, with lush greenery and scenic views of Vitosha Mountain.Visitors to Boyana Church have the opportunity to explore the rich history and cultural heritage of Bulgaria while enjoying the peaceful and picturesque surroundings.Its exquisite frescoes, architectural significance, and historical value make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of Bulgaria.

1) outskirtn.郊区；市郊

2) frescon.壁画

3) anonymousadj.匿名的

4) resemblancen.相似

5) resiliencen.弹力；恢复力

博雅纳教堂是一座位于保加利亚首都索非亚郊外的中世纪保加利亚东正教教堂。它以令人惊叹的壁画而闻名，被认为是世界上中世纪东正教艺术最重要的范例之一。该教堂于1979 年被列入联合国教科文组织世界遗产名录，以表彰其杰出的文化和历史意义。

博雅纳教堂由三座建筑物组成，这三座建筑物分别在不同的历史时期建造。东侧的教堂建于10 世纪，而中间的教堂建于13 世纪，西侧的教堂是19 世纪增加的住宅翼。教堂内的壁画是博雅纳教堂主要的景点，最古老的壁画可追溯到11 世纪。这些壁画被认为是拜占庭和东正教艺术的杰作，以艳丽的色彩、对宗教场景的详细描绘和所描绘人物的情感深度而闻名。

博雅纳教堂的壁画分为几层，每一层代表不同的历史时期。最古老的一层可追溯到11～12 世纪，描绘了圣徒、使徒和耶稣基督生平的场景。第二层来自13～14 世纪，包括历史人物和统治者的描绘,尤以《最后的晚餐》和圣像画最为著名。第二层的这些画由一位佚名的画家于1259 年绘成。尽管当时的教规十分严厉，画家还是大胆地采用了自由的表现形式。壁画中的人物，包括众圣徒、卡洛林王朝成员和皇族成员的面部表情非常生动，不再是因袭的、刻板的偶像，而是有个性和有特色的人物，具有明显的现实主义色彩，且十分接近当地民间艺术，是中古保加利亚艺术最杰出的成就。

除了其艺术意义，博雅纳教堂的建筑和历史价值也很重要。教堂的设计反映了从拜占庭传统到更为独特的保加利亚建筑风格的过渡。教堂经历了数个世纪的多次地震和入侵，其保存是对保加利亚文化遗产韧性的证明。

教堂周围是美丽的自然环境——郁郁葱葱的绿地和维托沙山的如画风景。前往博雅纳教堂的游客有机会探索保加利亚丰富的历史和文化遗产，同时享受一派宁静和秀丽的风景。博雅纳教堂精美的壁画、建筑意义和历史价值使其成为对探索保加利亚丰富文化遗产感兴趣的人士必游之地。