Church is a single nave, oneapsis, vaulted church with a two-slope brick roof, partly dug into the earth. An ancient Roman tomb, probably dating back to the fourth century AD, was also found under the church. It is one of very few active medieval churches in Sofia which were not turned into a mosque during Ottoman rule. It was built in the 14th century with stone and bricks by the influential craft-guild of samardzhii – masters in the preparation of horse packsaddles.

The requirements of the Ottoman conquerers were taken into account in its construction – it is low, windowless and without a bellfry or external decoration which could attract attention with its Christian symbols.
It was dedicated to St. Paraskevi (Petka) of Iconium.

The frescoes were painted in the 14th, the 15th and 18th centuries. It is believed that St. Pimen Zografski worked here (1540-1620). Remarkable among the frescoes is the scene Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which is rare for Bulgaria and is on the northern wall.

The artists probably belong to the group of Cretan icon-painters who worked in the monasteries in Mount Athos around the middle of the 16th century.