Cultural Corridors of South East Europe

South East Europe / Western Trans-Balkan Road

Ancient Serdika

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Ancient Serdika

About the site


Corridor: Diagonal Road, Western Trans-Balkan Road, Sofia-Ohrid Road
Country: Bulgaria, Sofia
Type: Ancient Site
Epoch: Antiquity
Theme: Antiquity
World Heritage:
AntiquityAntiquityAncient Site

Layers of human history lie under the present streets and buildings of Sofia. Ulpia Serdika was one of the biggest and best-developed towns in the East Roman provinces – not by chance called by Constantine the Great “My Rome”.
During the 2nd c. were built a stone fortification wall with four main defense towers – round, triangular and pentagonal, which existed in the course of 12 centuries. Large pubic ensembles were built in the inner town, new territories to the east were developed. In the centre of the present town is preserved and exhibited the oldest church in Sofia – the “St. George” Rotunda, assumed to have been a central element in a much larger ensemble. Close to, in an underpass is exhibited the Eastern Gate of Serdika with fragments of the street pavement, made of huge stone blocks. In a number of present public spaces (built or open) are exhibited a number of fragments from various buildings and structures. Th exhibition of numerous remains of urban structures, necropolises, tombs, temples, baths and other public buildings and ensembles is forthcoming.

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