The Roman Thermae /or the Roman Baths/ located in the south-east part of the modern city of Varna are the largest public antique building ever to be discovered in Bulgaria. The relatively well preserved walls outline the imposing building which occupied an area of more than 7 000 sq. m. Its thick walls are built by a specific technology - a stone wall and 5-6 rows of bricks made of dense clay are alternating. The inner staircases and the door vaults are formed by huge stone blocks, and in certain places the fragments of magnificent mosaics can still be seen. The mosaics along with the numerous decorative marble fragments, the columns and the capitals, hint the lavish decoration, the building possessed.
The grandeur of the construction, the flawless execution of the brilliant architectural plan, and the rich decoration determine the thermae to be a remarkable monument of the antique architecture. These features evidence the floorishing of culture in the city in 2nd - 3rd century, its wellness and wealth. The thermae of Odesos are among the largest in the European part of the Roman Empire. Their plan bears a resemblance to the most famous thermae, builtin the capital of the emperors Caracala and Diocletian and an evidence for the important position Odesos used to occupy in the life of the Balkan provinces. The thermae's architecture help get an idea as of what did the ancient town of Odesos looked like, and the findings, revealed during excavation give information about the everyday life of its citizens.
Passing through spacious halls, a natural barrier against the cold air, the visitors would then enter a huge hall, called ballestra. Even today it is curious how the thermae heating system used to operate - it represents a double floor with vesicles especially designed to lead the warm air all the way to the roof!
Address: On the corner of the streets of San Stefano and Han Krum
Telephone: 052 60 00 59
Fax: 052/68 10 25
Working time:
May-October: 10am through 5 pm/ Closed on Monday!
November - April: 10 am through 5 pm/ Closed on Monday and Sunday!
Source: moreto.net
Pictures: Mirela Ltd.
The reserve is one of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria. It is established in 1973 to preserve the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria. In 1977 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves under the program "Man and Biosphere".
See on the mapWater Holes Cave is located in Apriltsi Municipality, within the Central Balkan National Park on the northern slope of the massif of Botev Mount.
See on the mapAlbotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.
See on the mapUzana - the heart of the Balkans. In its embrace, the mountains has kept this extraordinary place where you can fully take charge with power and hours to enjoy its grandeur and beauty of nature.Far from the urban vanity you will find abundance of colors and shades, serenity and peace of mind. Here the warbling of the birds and the whisper of wild grasslands will put a spell on you forever.
The natural phenomenon Chervenitsa is a molded boulder, rising more than 150 m above the terrace of the river Iskar in village of Kunino. It is located about 46 km east of Vratsa and approximately 120 km northeast of Sofia.
See on the mapThe Lopushanski monastery is located in the Balkan Mountain in the valley of Dalgodelska Ogosta river. It is operational and consists of a church, residential and farm buildings and a white stone fountain, all surrounded by a stone wall.
See on the mapA unique museum in the whole Eastern Europe dedicated to the production of salt by solar evaporation of sea water, Pomorie
See on the mapNatural Reserve Taukliman typical landslide with length of about 4 km, formed between the edge of the Dobrudzhansko plateau and the coast.
The Early Christian basilica Sveta Sofia is an active Orthodox church in the center of Sofia city. The church was probably built in the early VI century on the ruins of early Christian tombs from II - IV century and the ruins of two earlier churches from IV-V century. It is located among the necropolis of the ancient Serdica.
See on the map"Monyak" fortress is one of the largest and high located fortresses in the Rhodopes near the village of Shiroko pole, Kardzhali Region
See on the mapVakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.
See on the mapA unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region
See on the mapThe megalithic complex "Gluhite kamani" is one of the largest Thracian sanctuaries since BC, whose strength continues to act today to anyone who visits it.
See on the mapA medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region
See on the mapThe monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is situated close to Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad
See on the mapRakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa was was found in X-XI century and during the Middle Ages was an important literary and cultural center in Bdin area.
See on the mapThe Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.
See on the mapElenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop
See on the mapA unique monument of culture with extremely precious frescoes and icons included in UNESCO's list with the World Cultural Heritage, village of Dobarsko, Blagoevgrad Region
See on the mapOne of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya
See on the map