Nessebur is located on a small peninsula in the Black Sea which is linked with the land only by a long and narrow isthmus. It has existed for more then 9,000 years. It emerged as a fortified Thracian settlement; afterwards it was a Creek polis, then a Roman colony, a Byzantine town. No one can say for sure whether the isthmus is natural or man-made. the largest number and best-known buildings date from 11^th  to 14^th centuries. Almost all the churches are in the so- called “picturesque” style: walls intersected by pilasters and lunettes with stone, brick and ceramic ornaments and arches along the cornice. Some of the churches have stunningly beautiful facades and interiors and are among the best preserved ones on the Balkan Peninsula. The oldest one is the Sveti Ioan Krestitel (St. John the baptist, 10^th - 11^th centuries).