History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
Contemporary portrait, 1259
Contemporary portrait, 1259

Second Bulgarian Tsardom · Tsar

Konstantin Tih Asen

1257–1277

His long reign ended with Ivaylo’s uprising.

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Konstantin Tih is the ruler represented at Boyana Church. He and Irina have a different role from Kaloyan and Desislava: one pair rules, the other supports the church. Scholars interpret the crowns and robes through Byzantine court expressions of authority. That reading does not reveal the sitters’ private relationships. Ruled Bulgaria in the thirteenth century. Is portrayed beside Tsaritsa Irina. The portrait displays royal insignia and ceremonial clothing. Distinguishing ruler from donor helps read the mural without confusing its figures.

Sources · 8

Open · Konstantin Tih

Achievements

  • Ruled Bulgaria in the thirteenth century
  • Is portrayed beside Tsaritsa Irina
  • The portrait displays royal insignia and ceremonial clothing

In our stories

Sources

  1. Ian S. R. Mladjov Bulgaria (Bălgarija): kings and emperors of the Bulgarians; princes of Bulgaria and kings of the Bulgarians Ian Mladjov’s Resources, Chronologies. Author’s working chronology, updated March 2024, 6 pp. · 2024
  2. Ian S. R. Mladjov Monarchs’ Names and Numbering in the Second Bulgarian State Studia Ceranea 5 (2015), pp. 267–310. Łódź University Press. · 2015 · 5 · 267–310
  3. Emmanuel Moutafov; Margarita Kuyumdzhieva; Ivan Vanev; Alexander Kuyumdzhiev; Maya Zaharieva; Tereza Bacheva; Anna Shoyleva-Chomakova Visual testimonies of élite Patronage from the 13th to the 15th century in Bulgaria PDF The Silk and the Blood. Images of Authority in Byzantine Art and Archaeology. Eds Isabella Baldini, Claudia Lamanna, Giulia Marsili, Lucia Maria Orlandi. Bologna: Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Storia Culture Civiltà; ISBN 9788854970021 · 2019 · 65–80; Boyana 66–69
All sources (10)
  1. Национален исторически музей; Фондация „Балканско наследство“ БОЯНСКАТА ЦЪРКВА / THE BOYANA CHURCH boyanachurch.info · 2026
  2. Национален исторически музей; Фондация „Балканско наследство“ Боянската църква / Boyana church boyanachurch.info
  3. Sebastian Kempgen Remarks on the Patron’s Inscription of the Boyana Church: Reproductions and Unicode-based Wikipedia Representation Scripta & e-Scripta: The Journal of Interdisciplinary Mediaeval Studies. Sofia: Institute for Literature, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. ISSN 1312-238X · 2010 · 8–9 · 27–36
  4. Национален исторически музей Боянска църква „Св. Никола и св. Пантелеймон“ Национален исторически музей
  5. Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria Boyana Church Ministry of Tourism
  6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre Boyana Church (World Heritage List, no. 42bis) UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  7. Национален исторически музей; Фондация „Балканско наследство“ Visitors Information boyanachurch.info

Images

Contemporary portrait, 1259

Unknown author · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons · CC0. Group portrait from the person’s lifetime · detail