10 Ancient places to visit in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a perfect travel destination. The culture, history, landscapes, food, events of Bulgaria consistently draw in visitors from all parts of the world. There are numerous ancient sites, but these are the top 10 worth visiting who would make your trip even more memorable.

Perperikon

Perperikon is an archeological complex in the Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria. The complex consists a large megalithic sanctuary, monuments from antiquity and a medieval fortress.

Perperikon has inhabited in the Chalcolithic era 8 000 years ago. His peak moment is when in the late Antiquity is urban venter in the Thracian province of the Roman Empire.

In the late Bronze and early Iron Age on the hill was built a sanctuary. According to some believes it was dedicated to the god Dionysus. Perperikon is built on a rock on top of a hill, 470 meters above sea level. It’s located 15 km away from Kardzhali. The megalithic complex is the largest in the Balkans.

Ancient theater Plovdiv

The Ancient theater is among the best preserved ancient theaters in the world. It was built in the 90s of the first century B.C. The place is adapted to contemporary the culture life of Plovdiv and it held different types of performances.

The Ancient theater is located in Old town of Plovdiv and it’s one of the main tourist attractions in the city. Plovdiv, itself is also one of the places you need to visit in Bulgaria.

Kabile

Kabile is an ancient Thracian town founded around the 4 th  century B.C. His location was a hub at the intersection of important roads in antiquity. With this strategic location, Kabile gradually grew into a town that was formed as important political, religious and economic center of the Roman Empire. The ancient town of Kabile is located 10 km away from Yambol.

Serdika

Serdika Fortress is an archeological site. It was turned into a stronghold of Emperor Marcus Aurelius with a wall with round and triangular towers and four gates at the four cardinal points.

Serdika is located right in the center of the capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia, in the underpass of the former Party House.

Sveshtari tomb

The Seveshtari tomb was discovered in 1982. It’s a royal tomb, which probably buried Getic ruler Dromihet.The tomb is built of smooth-cut stone blocks of soft limestone. It is a part of the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage list.

The tomb is located in northeastern parts of Bulgaria, 42 km away from Razgrad and 2.5 km away from the village of Sveshtari.

Hisarya

Hisarya is a town in the south parts of Bulgaria, in the region of Plovdiv. The town is known for its 22 springs with different characteristics and temperatures. One of the symbols of Hisarya is the Colonnade, which is a replica of a Roman Colonnade. The prehistoric settlement was existing here before V-IV thousand B.C.

Kaleto

The archaeological complex Kaleto stores 70 centuries of history. The hill is naturally protected and located in a place where intersect major roads used since ancient times to today. At this crossroads of civilizations collected the remains of human history from the Stone – Copper Age to the Middle Ages.

Kaleto is located in Mezdra, northwest Bulgaria, on a high rocky hill towering over the left bank of the Iskar river.

Old Nessebar

The Historical-Architectural Reserve Nessebar is located in the Old Town and is a peninsula about 850 meters long and 350 meters wide. From Antiquity to nowadays the city changes a couple of names. For centuries old history of Old Town testify numerous archaeological finds. Nessebar is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, originated more than 3 200 years.

Nessebar was declared as an archaeological reserve in 1956 and in 1983 it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sozopol

Sozopol is another one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria. It was founded in the 7 th  century B.C. by greek colonists. Since 2010 the old part of the city conducted archaeological excavations that led to the discovery and restoration of the eastern and southern walls, the southern fortress gate, etc. Nowadays Sozopol is one of the major seaside resorts in the country.

Ancient villa Armira

The Ancient Villa Armira is an impressive complex of commercial buildings. During the excavations were found well-preserved mosaics and etc. They found also numerous pottery, jewelry, and household items.

Villa Armira is located close to the city of Ivaylovgrad. Nowadays it’s a cultural monument of national importance.

About the guest author:
Bilyana is a travel blogger, mountain lover, and full-time dream chaser. She follows her dreams and wants you to do the same. Her goal is to help you to travel more & worry less and inspire you to get out of your comfort zone and see this beautiful world we live in one adventure at a time. You can follow her adventures on her blog.

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