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Archaeological excavations whisper Bulgaria's History
Since the founding of the Bulgarian kingdom, Pliska has been the main political, cultural and economic centre. Pliska is considered one of the most impressive landmarks of the European town-building. Its castle was constructed using massive bulwarks about 12m high and deep ditches. The castle is located strategically in an area featuring many hills.The castle was built during several stages. At first it was the residence of ruler Han Krum and covered an area of 500 sq m. It had many secret passages and was considered modern for its time.
With the second stage and Han Omurtag came the great decoration of the throne room and the extremely complicated heating installation.
The third stage brought early Christian cult buildings with impressive sizes. The most remarkable heritage from this period is the Great Basilica. It was about 2920 sq m and was the biggest Orthodox church on the Balkan peninsula. The basilica was part of a big monastery with very delicate and compound architecture.
The Valley of Thracian Kings, Kazanluk area
Many Thracian tombs and excavation areas are located in the area surrounding the town of Shipka.. Sasheva Mogila is a Thracian Tomb dating back to the 3rd century BC. Astonishingly, this tomb was not robbed and all of the burial artifacts are still located within it.
Our second stop would be Sevtopolis. This is a part of the capital of the Odrysian kingdom (the Odrysians were a part of the Thracian tribes. The ancient city was named after king Sevt III and the city was built in 3rd century BC. Sevtopolis is built according to the so called Hipodamian layout, which is believed to be the greatest urban achievement of the Hellenes. Based on excavated objects Sevtopolis is considered to have been a great cultural and economic centre.
Objects that date back to the 5th century BC are located there. Among them is the gold mask of king Teres, which weighs about 700g of pure 23 carat gold. Other unique objects include the 15g gold ring with carved Olympian-waterman with oars in a boat on its front. These and more ancient objects can be seen in Sofia’s National Museum of History.
Many Thracian tombs and excavation areas are located in the area surrounding the town of Shipka.. Sasheva Mogila is a Thracian Tomb dating back to the 3rd century BC. Astonishingly, this tomb was not robbed and all of the burial artifacts are still located within it.
Our second stop would be Sevtopolis. This is a part of the capital of the Odrysian kingdom (the Odrysians were a part of the Thracian tribes. The ancient city was named after king Sevt III and the city was built in 3rd century BC. Sevtopolis is built according to the so called Hipodamian layout, which is believed to be the greatest urban achievement of the Hellenes. Based on excavated objects Sevtopolis is considered to have been a great cultural and economic centre.
Objects that date back to the 5th century BC are located there. Among them is the gold mask of king Teres, which weighs about 700g of pure 23 carat gold. Other unique objects include the 15g gold ring with carved Olympian-waterman with oars in a boat on its front. These and more ancient objects can be seen in Sofia’s National Museum of History.
Thracian Tomb in Kazanluk
The Thracian Tomb in Kazanluk is one of the nine Bulgarian landmarks listed in UNESCO World Heritage. It was built in 4th - 3rd century BC. This tomb is known and valued for the incredibly preserved frescoes and mural paintings.
A special building provides constant temperature through air conditioning and thus aids the preservation of the frescoes. An exact copy of the original building is built by its side. It is open for visitors.
The Thracian Tomb in Kazanluk is one of the nine Bulgarian landmarks listed in UNESCO World Heritage. It was built in 4th - 3rd century BC. This tomb is known and valued for the incredibly preserved frescoes and mural paintings.
A special building provides constant temperature through air conditioning and thus aids the preservation of the frescoes. An exact copy of the original building is built by its side. It is open for visitors.
Medieval Castle in LovechAfter Romans conquered the land of where nowadays the town of Lovech is located, they built a castle called Presidium (traveling station) about 3rd century CE. At this time Lovech was called Melta. It was the 4th city in size and importance.
More on www.lovech.bg
The castle of Shoumen
You can spot it from almost every corner of the city, the Castle of Shoumen. Its construction time is still unclear but supposed to be about 700 CE. This castle is one of the most preserved excavation sites of cities. You can clearly see the street and house structure. Many stone writings are kept in the Museum of Shoumen.
Later, when Ottomans conquered Bulgaria, a big part of the castle was destroyed, but yet not enough to delete the history of the people that lived in the lands of Bulgaria in ancient ages.
You can spot it from almost every corner of the city, the Castle of Shoumen. Its construction time is still unclear but supposed to be about 700 CE. This castle is one of the most preserved excavation sites of cities. You can clearly see the street and house structure. Many stone writings are kept in the Museum of Shoumen.
Later, when Ottomans conquered Bulgaria, a big part of the castle was destroyed, but yet not enough to delete the history of the people that lived in the lands of Bulgaria in ancient ages.
Beglik Tash in Primorsko – the mystical ritual sacrifice altar In the beginning of 21st century excavations in Varna and Primorsko uncovered an old Thracian altar from the 14th century BC. Some specifically shaped stones show that this place was used to perform ritual sacrifices to Thracian gods.
Some scientists compare Beglik Tash with Stonehenge in Great Britain. The Thracian altar is way less popular, about 15 centuries younger, but the main characteristics are very similar. Monumental stones are present at both sites. About the functions of Beglik Tash can be made clear statements based on archaeological excavations.
Roman Thermal Springs
The biggest public building from Roman times on the territory of Bulgaria, the Roman Thermal Springs, is located in the coastal city of Varna. The architecture shows that the thermal springs were built in the period 2nd or 3rd century CE. The size of the building is said to be indicative of the importance of the city, archaeologists said.
One other fact indicating the significance of Varna is the early Christian tomb. The Nekropol, the Christian tomb, was used in the period from 2nd to 6th century AD. Artifacts found at burial sites can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Varna.
The biggest public building from Roman times on the territory of Bulgaria, the Roman Thermal Springs, is located in the coastal city of Varna. The architecture shows that the thermal springs were built in the period 2nd or 3rd century CE. The size of the building is said to be indicative of the importance of the city, archaeologists said.
One other fact indicating the significance of Varna is the early Christian tomb. The Nekropol, the Christian tomb, was used in the period from 2nd to 6th century AD. Artifacts found at burial sites can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Varna.
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