This year brought three exciting new opportunities for archaeology and culture enthusiasts to discover the ancient heritage beneath the hills. From the underground tunnels of the Odeon, which tell stories of Ancient Philippopolis, through the magnificent Late Antiquity building "Irini" with its intricately displayed mosaics, to the Eastern Gate that revives the memory of the grandeur of Roman roads — these newly discovered sites unveil unexpected layers of the past. They offer a unique encounter with history, guaranteed to captivate and inspire every visitor.
The Tunnels Beneath the Odeon
The Odeon was discovered in 1988 by archaeologists Z. Dimitrov and Maya Martinova. In 1995, it was declared a cultural monument of national importance as part of the forum complex. The presence of a building with such a functional purpose in the central part of the ancient city suggests the significant role of Philippopolis as a cultural and political center.
In the modern city, the Odeon is also used for various cultural events—it hosts theatrical performances, concerts, literary readings, and even alternative film screenings.
The opening of the tunnels beneath the city council seat of the ancient city—the Odeon—allows visitors to travel back thousands of years in time.
The Late Antiquity Building "Irini"
The ancient street network with an intersection and the Late Antiquity building "Irini", now exhibited in situ (on-site) in the so-called "Archaeological" underpass, were discovered by archaeologists Zdravko Karov and Mina Bospacieva during rescue excavations in 1983–1984 related to the reconstruction of the former "Georgi Dimitrov" Boulevard (now "Tsar Boris III Unifier") and the construction of a collector and underpass facility.
After the archaeological research of the site, a large-scale campaign was conducted to conserve the archaeological structures and mosaics. A representative part of the "Irini" building was designated as a separate hall to ensure the necessary conditions for the preservation and display of the findings.
The ancient streets — cardo (north-south) and decumanus (east-west) — were leveled and conserved and now serve as the main road of the underpass, while rooms from ancient buildings along them have been adapted for use as shops.
The Eastern Gate
This is a must-visit stop when exploring the area under the hills. Its exceptionally wide and perfectly preserved Roman road leading to the gate of the ancient city, along with architectural elements from the majestic colonnades on both sides of the street, once welcomed visitors to Philippopolis in ancient times.
The Eastern Gate is the best-studied of the three discovered entrances to the ancient city—the eastern, northern, and southern gates. Its ruins can still be seen today on “Tsar Ivan Shishman” Street, at the northeastern foot of the Three Hills (Trichalmiye). The gate served as a link between Philippopolis and Byzantium.
The complex is remarkable for its authentically preserved pavement on the widest ancient street, which is 13 meters wide. Additionally, layers from the Hellenistic era (4th–3rd century BC) have been uncovered at the site. Later, an honorary arch was built here in honor of Emperor Hadrian's visit to Philippopolis, followed by the construction of a fortress wall during Marcus Aurelius's reign. The impressive complex, many authentic elements of which can still be seen in their original locations today, was built after the Hun invasions. For the next five years, there will be no entrance fee to the Eastern Gate.
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