Mystery model

**Diderick A. den Bakker** · #1 02-01-2013, 04:20 AM

I found this in a collection of pictures of a Russian paper model exhibition, and am very interested to find out about the model on the left. Any tips of information, anyone?

**Yale** · #2 02-01-2013, 09:50 AM

It immediately reminds me of St. Sofia, in Istanbul, but I don't think that's quite right. I don't know of any other churches/mosques in the same style, but that would make sense. I'll follow this thread with interest.

**Mike Stamper** · #3 02-02-2013, 04:34 PM

Diderick,

I am reasonably sure it's the Rila Monastery in Bulgaria. It looks very much like the model I made some years ago. The kit is made by a Bulgarian company.

The colours are "garish" on all their models. One of the kits I have has a base that looks as if the building is in the middle of an active volcano.

I can't give you more much help because all the writing on the cover of the kits I have are in Cyrilic. I bought mine in Burgas when we were on holiday.

If you want more, let me know direct - I hope you have my email?

Cheers
Mike

**Diderick A. den Bakker** · #4 02-03-2013, 03:47 AM

Mike,
thanks for your reaction - you were near. I had a mail yesterday with all the information I needed. It is the 'St Visarion Smolenski' Cathedral in Smolyan, Bulgaria. I have contacted the publishers to try and get some of their kits for my internet shop - Hope to hear from them.

**Tapcho** · #5 02-03-2013, 09:18 AM

The model Mike mentions must be the monastery of St John the Precursor. Publishers name is Design Kamea and here is their site. Many nice architectural models plus simpler ones and some for children too.

Tappi

**KCinKC46** · #6 02-03-2013, 01:54 PM

Wow! Either a volcano or a cheese pizza for a base. Wonder what they were thinking.

**Mike Stamper** · #7 02-04-2013, 11:07 AM

Tappi,

I tried the web site and it looks as if their latest kits are a better quality than the old ones.

I tried to buy a couple, and was sent to a Bulgarian version of Paypal. Now, I'm sure there's nothing wrong with their systems, but for a few kits, it seems a bit much to register with a local payment service - especially when they want a credit card number.

Diderick - I hope you will let us know if you are successful in importing these kits - they are quite cheap with an exchange rate where BUL 10 equals about £4 and a bit more for Euro. Plus postage of course.

Cheers
Mike

**Tapcho** · #8 02-04-2013, 12:22 PM

Your right Mike, I tried it too but didn't feel to finish the purchase (PayPal is ok but I don't want to distribute my credit card number any more). There are couple of models that I'd like to buy and those are in PDF format so lets see if Diderick gets those too in his inventory.

Tappi