City and settlementRazgrad Province · Razgrad
Abritus
An ancient city with defensive walls, substantial buildings and inscriptions establishing its identity.
Roman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
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BULGARIA, LAYER BY LAYER
Archaeology of Bulgaria
Ancient cities, tombs and sanctuaries. Explore celebrated reserves and lesser-known places through their discoveries, history and unanswered questions.
Explore the sites88researched sites28provinces5eras
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88 sites in this selection
City and settlement
City and settlementStara Zagora Province · Stara Zagora
Augusta Traiana
The Roman town remains visible in central Stara Zagora through streets, a gate and a forum complex.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexBurgas Province · Burgas Mineral Baths
Aquae Calidae
The mineral-bath town preserves layers of ancient and medieval bathing.
Roman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
MonasteryVarna Province · Golden Sands Nature Park
Aladzha Monastery
A rock monastery with cells, churches and evidence of medieval monastic life.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
TombHaskovo Province · Alexandrovo, Haskovo Municipality
Alexandrovo Tomb
A Thracian tomb with hunting murals, displayed through an accurate replica in the adjacent museum centre.
Thracian era
History and discoveries
City and settlementBurgas Province · Nessebar
Ancient and Medieval Nessebar
A peninsula town with ancient defences, early basilicas and medieval churches.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexPlovdiv Province · Plovdiv
Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
The Ancient Theatre combines Roman public architecture with a functioning modern stage.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveriesKyustendil Province · Sapareva Banya
Ancient Germaneya
Ancient Germaneya lies beneath modern Sapareva Banya.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementSofia City Province · Sofia
Ancient Serdica
Streets, houses, baths and mosaics reveal Roman urban life beneath central Sofia.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementBurgas Province · Sozopol
Apollonia–Sozopol
Ancient Apollonia and medieval Sozopol emerge through museum finds and urban remains.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressVidin Province · Vidin
Baba Vida Fortress
A Danube-side medieval castle preserves building phases above the remains of Roman Bononia.
Roman eraMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
SanctuaryBurgas Province · Near Primorsko
Beglik Tash
A rock complex with archaeological traces of human activity and interpretations as an ancient sanctuary.
PrehistoryThracian eraRoman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
NecropolisVarna Province · Varna
Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis
A Copper Age cemetery with exceptional gold finds and evidence of varied burial practices.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
City and settlementShumen Province · Veliki Preslav
Veliki Preslav
A medieval capital with palace remains, churches and celebrated painted ceramics.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
TombStara Zagora Province · Shipka, Kazanlak Municipality
Golyama Kosmatka
A monumental Thracian complex associated with Seuthes III through inscriptions, coins and a portrait head.
Thracian era
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexVratsa Province · Vratsa, Vratsata Gorge
Gradishte at Vratsata
An ancient settlement and medieval fortress by the gorge illuminate the history of Vratitsa.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressGabrovo Province · Gabrovo, Gradishte
Gradishte, Gabrovo
A Late Antique fortified settlement with houses, church architecture and evidence of everyday life.
Late antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementBurgas Province · Debelt, Sredets Municipality
Deultum–Debelt
A Roman veterans’ colony with baths, streets and a medieval afterlife.
Roman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
City and settlementPlovdiv Province · Hisarya
Diocletianopolis
Walls, baths and early Christian buildings outline the ancient town around Hisarya’s mineral springs.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexDobrich Province · Durankulak
Durankulak–Hamangia
The Big Island settlement and cemeteries trace millennia beside Lake Durankulak.
PrehistoryMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexSilistra Province · Silistra
Durostorum–Drastar
Layers of Roman Durostorum and medieval Drastar preserve defences, residences and basilicas.
Roman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
City and settlementPazardzhik Province · Vetren, Septemvri municipality
Emporion Pistiros
Pistiros reveals trade connections between inland Thrace and the Greek world.
Thracian era
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexBlagoevgrad Province · Sandanski
Episcopal Basilica of Sandanski
The episcopal complex preserves architecture, mosaics and installations of the early Christian town beneath Sandanski.
Late antiquity
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexPlovdiv Province · Plovdiv
Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis
Two mosaic layers illuminate the artistic and religious life of late antique Philippopolis.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveriesDobrich Province · Abrit, Krushari Municipality
Zaldapa
A fortified late antique town with churches, crypts and evidence of an important Christian centre.
Late antiquity
History and discoveries
MonasteryRuse Province · Ivanovo
Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo
A rock-hewn monastic complex with medieval wall paintings inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
TombSliven Province · Karanovo, Nova Zagora Municipality
Eastern Mound at Karanovo
A first-century burial complex with a chariot, distinct from the village’s prehistoric tell.
Roman era
History and discoveries
City and settlementYambol Province · Kabile, near Yambol
Kabile
A Thracian town, Roman military centre and early Christian settlement beside Zaychi Vrah.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
TombStara Zagora Province · Kazanlak
Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
A Thracian tomb with Hellenistic murals, interpreted for visitors through a nearby replica.
Thracian era
History and discoveries
FortressMontana Province · Montana
Kaleto Fortress, Montana
The fortified hill preserves prehistoric houses, Roman defences and later settlement remains.
PrehistoryRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
City and settlementSliven Province · Karanovo, Nova Zagora Municipality
Karanovo Settlement Mound
A settlement mound whose layers underpin an important prehistoric chronological system.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
FortressVidin Province · Kula
Castra Martis
A Late Roman fortress in central Kula guarded the route between Bononia and Singidunum.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
FortressDobrich Province · Cape Kaliakra, Kavarna Municipality
Kaliakra Fortress
A coastal fortress where ancient and medieval remains meet local legends.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressPernik Province · Pernik
Pernik Fortress — Krakra
The fortress above Pernik connects archaeological remains with written accounts of Krakra’s resistance.
Thracian eraMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressSliven Province · Sliven
Tuida Fortress
A late antique fortress with an early Christian complex and medieval occupation.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressPazardzhik Province · Dorkovo
Tsepina Fortress
The fortress above Dorkovo is associated with the medieval rule of Despot Alexios Slav.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressLovech Province · Lovech, Hisarya Hill
Lovech Fortress
A fortress above old Lovech associated with the 1187 truce and much earlier occupation layers.
PrehistoryThracian eraMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexShumen Province · Madara
Madara and the Madara Rider
The rock relief and surrounding reserve reveal a long-lived sacred and fortified place.
Roman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveriesYambol Province · Voden, Bolyarovo Municipality
Malkoto Kale at Voden
A small fort whose finds point to a medieval aristocratic residence.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
MonasteryKardzhali Province · Kardzhali, Veselchane
Monastery of Saint John the Baptist
Saint John the Baptist Monastery preserves medieval church layers and evidence of high ecclesiastical status.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
City and settlementVarna Province · Devnya
Marcianopolis and the Museum of Mosaics
Ancient Marcianopolis is revealed through an urban house with richly decorated mosaic floors.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementTargovishte Province · Near Targovishte
Misionis
A late antique and medieval town also known locally as Krumovo Kale.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressSmolyan Province · Gradat
Momchil Fortress
The fortress above Gradat connects late antique defence, medieval rule and the memory of Momchil.
Thracian eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressPlovdiv Province · Plovdiv
Nebet Tepe
Nebet Tepe preserves defences and successive stages in Plovdiv’s long history.
PrehistoryThracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
NecropolisSofia City Province · Sofia
Necropolis beneath Saint Sofia
Tombs and earlier Christian churches survive beneath the functioning Saint Sofia basilica.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementStara Zagora Province · Stara Zagora
Neolithic Dwellings – Stara Zagora
A museum above a burned Neolithic house with remarkably preserved household equipment.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
City and settlementSofia City Province · Sofia, Slatina
Slatina Neolithic Settlement
Slatina’s early Neolithic houses reveal the domestic life of early farming communities in the Sofia basin.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
MuseumSofia Province · Chavdar
Chavdar Neolithic Settlement and Topolnitsa Park
Topolnitsa Park interprets an excavated early Neolithic settlement near Chavdar through reconstructions.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
City and settlementVeliko Tarnovo Province · Nikyup
Nicopolis ad Istrum
A planned Roman city with streets, a civic square, water infrastructure and inscriptions.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementBlagoevgrad Province · Garmen
Nicopolis ad Nestum
The city of victory beside the Mesta preserves fortifications and traces of Roman town planning.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexVeliko Tarnovo Province · Near Svishtov
Novae
A Roman legionary camp, civilian settlement and Late Antique town beside the Danube.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementVratsa Province · Ohoden
Ohoden–Valoga
An Early Neolithic settlement and ritual complex with burials and a clay structure containing deer skulls.
Prehistory
History and discoveriesArchaeological complexKardzhali Province · Gorna Krepost
Perperikon
Rock-cut structures, urban quarters, churches and defensive walls reveal Perperikon’s many historical layers.
PrehistoryThracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
CaveGabrovo Province · Near Dryanovo Monastery, Dryanovo
Bacho Kiro Cave
A Palaeolithic cave with directly dated Homo sapiens remains, tools and ornaments approximately 45,000 years old.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
CaveVidin Province · Belogradchik area
Kozarnika Cave
A cave with a long Palaeolithic sequence, human remains and tools informing research into the early peopling of Europe.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
CaveVidin Province · Rabisha
Magura Cave
Cave paintings and occupation remains reveal a layered prehistoric past within Rabisha Hill.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
CaveKardzhali Province · Tangardak Kaya, Kardzhali area
Utroba Cave
Utroba Cave combines a natural rock fissure, worked surfaces and a debated religious interpretation.
Thracian era
History and discoveries
City and settlementShumen Province · Pliska
Pliska
Bulgaria’s first capital preserves palaces, defences and the early Christian state centre.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
City and settlementVarna Province · Provadia
Provadia–Solnitsata
A prehistoric complex shaped by the production and exchange of salt.
PrehistoryThracian era
History and discoveriesSmolyan Province · Gela
Early Byzantine Basilica at Gela
An early Byzantine three-aisled basilica has been excavated at Manastira near Gela.
Late antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementVidin Province · Archar
Ratiaria
The Roman city near Archar combines monumental finds with a difficult history of damage and conservation.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
TombSilistra Province · Silistra
Roman Tomb of Silistra
A fourth-century painted tomb depicting a master couple, attendants, animals and plant motifs.
Late antiquity
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexVarna Province · Varna
Roman Baths of Odessos
The public baths reveal the scale and daily life of Roman Odessos.
Roman era
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexKyustendil Province · Kyustendil
Roman Baths of Pautalia
The Roman baths show how mineral water shaped the architecture of ancient Pautalia.
Roman era
History and discoveries
FortressBurgas Province · Rusokastro, Kameno Municipality
Rusokastro
A medieval fortified town with a citadel, water reservoirs and the legend of Rusa.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
SanctuaryKardzhali Province · Tatul, Momchilgrad municipality
Tatul Sanctuary
At Tatul, rock-cut burial installations and masonry architecture form a complex interpreted as a cult site.
PrehistoryThracian era
History and discoveries
SanctuaryHaskovo Province · Kasnakovo, Dimitrovgrad Municipality
Sanctuary of the Nymphs and Aphrodite at Kasnakovo
A spring sanctuary with a dedicatory inscription, part of a larger Roman complex.
Roman era
History and discoveries
TombRazgrad Province · Sveshtari, Sboryanovo Reserve
Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari
A third-century-BC Thracian tomb with caryatids and paintings, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Thracian era
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexRuse Province · Ruse
Sexaginta Prista
A Roman fort above the Danube occupying an earlier ritual and settlement landscape.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
City and settlementPazardzhik Province · Yunatsite
Tell Yunatsite
A prehistoric settlement mound reveals fortification, crafts and exchange in the Copper Age.
Prehistory
History and discoveriesSmolyan Province · Smolyan, Turluka locality
Smolyan Kaleto Fortress
The late antique fortress at Turluka illustrates mountain defence and communication in the Rhodopes.
Late antiquity
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexLovech Province · Lomets, Troyan Municipality
Sostra
A Roman military camp and roadside complex on the route between Oescus and Philippopolis.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexRuse Province · Cherven
Medieval Cherven
A medieval town above the Cherni Lom with a surviving tower, churches and water-supply structures.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
MonasteryYambol Province · Voden, Bolyarovo Municipality
Medieval Monastery at Voden
An excavated monastery with a disputed identification as Gregory of Sinai’s foundation.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
TombPlovdiv Province · Starosel
Starosel — Chetinyova Mound
The monumental building beneath Chetinyova Mound reveals elite Thracian architecture and ritual activity.
Thracian era
History and discoveries
FortressPleven Province · Pleven, Kaylaka
Storgosia
A fortified settlement in Kaylaka with an Early Christian basilica and public granary.
Roman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
TombHaskovo Province · Mezek, Svilengrad Municipality
Thracian Tomb at Mezek
A monumental stone tomb with a long passage and a domed burial chamber.
Thracian era
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexVeliko Tarnovo Province · Veliko Tarnovo
Trapezitsa
A fortified district of Tarnovgrad known for churches, wall paintings and a complex urban layout.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
City and settlementPleven Province · Gigen
Ulpia Oescus
A Roman city with a forum, temples, streets and the theatrical “Achaeans” mosaic.
Roman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
City and settlementBlagoevgrad Province · Rupite, Petrich municipality
Heraclea Sintica
An inscription and urban remains reveal ancient Heraclea Sintica near Rupite.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquity
History and discoveries
FortressKyustendil Province · Kyustendil
Hisarlaka Fortress
The hilltop fortress above Kyustendil preserves late antique and medieval building phases.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexGabrovo Province · Near Sevlievo
Hotalich
A citadel and lower settlement with residential quarters and churches above the Rositsa valley.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
SanctuaryPernik Province · Garlo, Breznik municipality
Garlo Well Temple
An underground stone chamber and well raise questions about water cults, dating and ancient construction.
Prehistory
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexVeliko Tarnovo Province · Veliko Tarnovo
Tsarevets
A fortified core of the medieval capital containing royal, patriarchal and residential complexes.
Middle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressSofia Province · Belchin
Tsari Mali Grad
A late antique fortress above Belchin illustrates basin defence and successive Christian places of worship.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
Archaeological complexSofia Province · Samokov, near Dospey
Shishmanovo Kale
A fortified settlement and Christian buildings are intertwined with local legends about Tsar Shishman.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressShumen Province · Shumen
Shumen Fortress
A multilayered fortress whose streets and churches preserve a medieval town plan.
Thracian eraRoman eraLate antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries
FortressRuse Province · Krivina, Tsenovo Municipality
Iatrus
A Late Roman fort near the Yantra mouth with subsequent early medieval occupation.
Late antiquityMiddle Ages
History and discoveries