Bulgaria - Bishop's Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis, Roman Province of Thrace

The serial property Bishop's Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis, Roman Province of Thrace is located on the territory of Plovdiv (Philippopolis in Antiquity). It consists of three immovable cultural monuments: Bishop's Basilica, Small Basilica and Late-Antique Irene Building, which were built and functioned during the 4th-6th centuries. The city is strategically situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia Minor, in the middle of the Thracian lowlands, around seven unique hills. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, much older than ancient Troy.

Over the years, remains of ancient Philippopolis have been discovered during archaeological excavations. These include: fortified walls, a forum complex with an odeum in its northern end, a theatre, a stadium, an aqueduct, several early-Christian basilicas, etc. These monuments have been completely or partially preserved on site in order to be integrated into the modern city's environment. The floor mosaics from ancient Philippopolis, which have already been excavated and investigated, come from two basic periods: 2nd-3rd centuries and 4th-6th centuries. The first period mosaics belonged to thermae and representative buildings and have an air of western influence. By contrast, the early-Christian basilicas, residences and private homes of the second period bear the influence of eastern early-Christian centers. The mosaics have been preserved, investigated and published to different extents, depending on the possibilities of the time and the circumstances of their discovery.

Bulgaria - Croatia - Romania - Serbia - Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Croatia)

In Roman times, the Danube acted as the border (limes) between the Roman Empire and barbaric lands almost in its full length. The Croatian part of the Danubian limes stretches from Batina Skela to Ilok and is 188 km long. This section of border was secured by forts and watchtowers. These were connected by military roads and Danube itself forms the border marking. It goes through two areas that do not have just different names (Baranja and Slavonija) but also different geomorphologic structure. The north-western Baranja is a flat area dominated by the Baranja Hill (243 m), while the area between the rivers Danube and Drava is covered by marshland of Kopacki Rit. In Slavonian region the limes is marked by steep and high banks of the Danube. The Croatian part of the Danubian limes can be separated in two areas: the "belt" immediately by the river (one has to bear in mind that the Danube has changed its flow in this area to some extent) and the hinterland. In the hinterland of this part of limes there was a number of local roads, but also three very important land corridors that went along important rivers such as the river Sava (Emona – Siscia – Sirmium) and Drava (Poetovia – Mursa - Cibale – Sirmium), as well as the road that linked Klosterneuburg/Cannabiaca and Zemun/Taurunum, constructed by Romans to increase the flow of army and goods. That road went along the right bank of the Danube. CROATIA Components: 1 Batina-Gradac, (Ad Militare II), Fort 2 Batina-Sredno, (Ad Militare I) Fort, Cemetery 3 Popovac (Antianae?) Fortification 4 Zmajevac-Gradac/ Várhegy, (Ad Novas), Fortification 5 Zmajevac-Gradac/ Mocsolás, (Ad Novas?), Cemetery 6 Kneževi Vinogradi-Crvena ćuprija, Military installation 7 Kneževi Vinogradi-Dragojlov brijeg, (Donatianae?), Fort, Cemetery 8 Lug-Gradina, (Albanum), Fortification, Cemetery 9 Kopačevo-Mali Sakadaš, (Báksad), (Ad labores?), Fortification 10 Bilje-Biljska cesta, Road 11 Osijek-Roman bridge, Bridge over the Drava river, (vis-à-vis Roman Mursa) 12 Osijek-Donji grad, (Mursa), Military installation, Civil settlement, Road 13 Dalj-Banjkas, Fort 14 Dalj-Šljivici, Military installation 15 Dalj-Beglučarica, Military installation 16 Borovo-Gradac, Military installation 17 Borovo-Šanac, Military installation 18 Sotin-Popovo brdo, (Cornacum), Fort 19 Sotin-Jaroši, Fort 20 Šarengrad-Gradac, Watchtower 21 Ilok-Bišket, Watchtower 22 Ilok-Česta, Military installation 23 Ilok-Gornji grad, (Cuccium), Fort, cemeteries ROMANIA Components: 1 Pojejena Pojejena, Caraș Severin couty 1 Șitamiţa auxiliary fort 228700.152 369602.083 2 Grojdibodu Grojdibodu, OLT county 1 auxiliary fort 439925.882 245071.691 3 Corabia Celei, OLT county 1 auxiliary fort 456596.145 251758.443 4 Corabia Celei, OLT county 2 bridgehead 456386.742 251655.450 5 Traian Traian, Teleorman county 1 Flămânda fort 498775.294 248298.281 6 Islaz Islaz, Teleorman county 1 Racoviţa fort 480575.693 248194.860 7 Drobeta-Turnu Severin Insula Banului, Mehedinți county 1 Insula Banului auxiliary fort 305634.970 354190.755 8 Drobeta-Turnu Severin Drobeta-Turnu, Severin, Mehedinți county 2 auxiliary fort, legionary fortlet 315095.375 349922.248 9 Drobeta-Turnu Severin Drobeta-Turnu, Severin, Mehedinți county 3 brigehead 315008.351 349797.060 10 Hinova Hinova, Mehedinți county 1 Tarină auxiliary fort 323013.272 340915.200 11 Desa Desa, Dolj county 1 auxiliary fort 336298.125 259972.637 12 Bistreţ Bistreţ, Dolj county 1 Grindu Cetate auxiliary fort 383301.669 258730.749 13 Ostrov Ostrov, Constanța county 1 Durostorum auxiliary fort 684700.645 292791.731 14 Lipniţa Canli, Constanța county 1 Dervent auxiliary fort 698709.577 295612.216 15 Lipniţa Canli, Constanța county 2 auxiliary fort 700656.131 297334.052 16 Oltina Satu Nou, Constanța county 1 Pârjoaia auxiliary fort 705473.317 301262.774 17 Oltina Satu Nou, Constanța county 2 Capu Dealului auxiliary fort 710488.941 302536.075 18 Oltina Oltina, Constanța county 3 Măciuca auxiliary fort 715045.809 302117.604 19 Ion Corvin Viile, Constanța county 1 Beilic auxiliary fort 721273.276 300718.161 20 Aliman Dunăreni, Constanța county 1 Dunăreni auxiliary fort 727667.891 308487.516 21 Rasova Rasova, Constanța county 1 auxiliary fort 731820.338 307647.418 22 Cernavodă Cernavodă, Constanța county 1 Hinog auxiliary fort 740912.003 317069.291 23 Seimeni Seimeni Mari, Constanța county 1 auxiliary fort 744138.687 325696.996 24 Topalu Capidava, Constanța county 1 Capidava auxiliary fort 745873.562 337377.878 25 Topalu Topalu, Constanța county 2 auxiliary fort 741462.601 347434.266 26 Hârșova Hârșova, Constanța county 1 auxiliary fort 734143.590 357845.971 27 Gârliciu Gârliciu, Constanța county 1 auxiliary fort 742615.299 362762.975 28 Ostrov Piatra, Tulcea county 1 auxiliary fort 748095.887 382230.354 29 Peceneaga Peceneaga, Tulcea county 1 auxiliary fort 748242.865 391428.768 30 Cerna Traian, Tulcea county 1 auxiliary fort 755169.175 397572.215 31 Turcoaia Turcoaia, Tulcea county 1 La Cetate auxiliary fort 751330.344 409837.570 32 Măcin Măcin, Tulcea county 1 auxiliary fort 745649.497 420305.004 33 Jijila Jijila, Tulcea county 1 auxiliary fort 746824.947 428891.833 34 Jijila Garvăn, Tulcea county 2 Cetatea Dinogeţia auxiliary fort 745883.240 435838.294 35 Lucaviţa Lucaviţa, Tulcea county 1 Dealul Milan auxiliary fort 756637.410 428917.465 36 Lucaviţa Rachelu, Tulcea county 2 auxiliary fort 761867.847 425690.658 37 Isaccea Isaccea, Tulcea county 1 Noviodunum auxiliary fort 774136.028 424915.777 38 Tulcea Tulcea, Tulcea county 1 auxiliary fort 799873.725 416701.805 39 Mahmudia Mahmudia, Tulcea county 1 auxiliary fort 820150.143 408194.135 40 Murighiol Murighiol, Tulcea county 1 auxiliary fort 830843.950 400274.756 41 Murighiol Dunavăţu de Sus, Tulcea county 2 Dunavăţu de Sus auxiliary fort 833053.209 399889.720 42 Murighiol Dunavăţu de Jos, Tulcea county 3 Cetatea, Zaporojenilor auxiliary fort 827662.344 395176.391 43 Galaţi Galaţi, Galați county 1 auxiliary fort 734098.624 438285.275 44 Galaţi Galaţi, Galați county 2 fort 735151.743 438725.033 45 Braniște / Șendreni Traian, Șerbeștii Vechi, Galați county 1 Valul lui Traian 4 earthen rampart 724437.746 438445.462 46 Braniște / Șendreni Traian / Șerbeștii Vech, Galați county i 2 Valul lui Traian 3 earthen rampart 724530.374 439919.248 47 Smârdan / Vânători Mihail Kogălniceanu / Odaia Manolache, Galați county 1 Valul lui Traian 2 earthen rampart 727937.444 450643.343 48 Smârdan Mihail Kogălniceanu / Cișmele, Galați county 2 Valul lui Traian 2a earthen rampart 726520.944 447950.240 49 Vânători / Tulucești Odaia Manolache, Tulucești, Galați county 1 / 2 Valul lui Traian 1 earthen rampart

Bulgaria - The late ancient tomb of Silistra

The tomb is located in the town of Silistra, in the region of the ancient necropolis. It has one chamber, built rectangularly, a semi-cylindrical vault and its entrance is from the East. The walls are made of stone and the vault - of bricks. Its measurements are: 3.30/2.60m/2.30 m. The walls on the inside are entirely covered with murals in the al fresco technique with details in impera al seco. Over a low plinth there runs the basic frieze of 11 panels with human figures on them, whereas over them there are painted trimmer joists at the base of the vault, and compositions are painted in the lunettes and on the vault. The husband and wife buried here are painted on the central panel. A procession of servants with garments and gifts in their hands is depicted on both sides of the couple. In addition, the decoration features peacocks, candle-sticks and birds Hunting scenes, birds, animals and vegetal motifs are painted on the vault. The style shows ancient elements, but it also reflects traits of art in the 4th century to which the tomb is dated. The Silistra Tomb is a rare, wholly preserved monument of late ancient painting. It shows the characteristics of the provincial style It is a unique example of art and life of that particular period in the Thracian lands.

Bulgaria - The Roussensky Lom National Park

A unique combination of natural scenery and cultural elements. This is a sizable area inhabited by rare species and such threatened by extinction in European fauna, such as: Falco cherrug, Neophron perenopterus Aguilla chrysaetos, Buteo rufinus, etc;

Bulgaria - The royal necropolis of the Thracian city of Seuthopolis – a serial site, extension of the Kazanlak Thracian tomb

Cult-mortuary complex in Ostrusha mound - Center Point Coordinates 42°41'23.5"N 25°21'03.8"E Tomb in Golyama Kosmatka mound - Center Point Coordinates 42°42'00.2"N 25°20'00.5"E Tomb in Shushmanetz mound - Center Point Coordinates 42°42'24.7"N 25°20'55.5"E Tomb in Golyama gola mogila mound, the so-called “The Griffins” - Center Point Coordinates 42°42'19.5"N 25°20'40.6"E Tomb in Malka gola mogila mound, the so-called “Helvetia” - Center Point Coordinates 42°42'19.9"N 25°20'47"E Tomb in the so-called Golyama Arsenalka mound - Center Point Coordinates 42°41'58"N 25°18'33.8"E Tomb in the so-called Sarafova mogila mound (Kran 2) - Center Point Coordinates 42°40'32.1"N 25°22'53.3"E Masonry grave in the so-called Svetitzata mound - Center Point Coordinates 42°41'16.7"N 25°22'07.9"E Balkan hollows lying between the Stara planina (the Balkan) and Sredna gora. Its area is about 780 square kilometres (94 km in length with an average width of 10 km), the average altitude is 350 meters. It is drained by Tundzha and Tyzha rivers. Typical forms of relief are the alluvial cones, located in its northern areas. They are joined together to form a convex accumulation surface sloping south. According to the climatic zoning of Bulgaria, the territory of Kazanlak hollow belongs to the European continental climatic region, temperate continental sub-zone. According to the administrative division, it includes the municipalities of Kazanlak, Pavel Banya and Muglizh with 47 settlements. The first attempts to map and describe the archaeological monuments in the Kazanlak hollow are made still in the second half of the 19th c., but the beginning of their targeted study started in the 90s of the 19th century. The scientific searches in this area became more intense during the period up to the World War II, but the exceptional archaeological discoveries in the 40s and 50s of the 20th century – the Kazanluk tomb and the Thracian city of Seuthopolis, naturally provoked the interest of a large group of researchers who contributed to the expansion of knowledge about the historical development of the region from prehistory to Middle Ages. The most famous tomb among those discovered in the valley is exactly the Kazanlak tomb, a monument, inscribed under No. 42 in the World Heritage List in 1979 under criteria I, III and IV, dating back to the 4th - 3rd century BC, which is the only one in Europe of its kind with preserved murals. The discovery and complete study of the Thracian city - the capital of the realms of the Odrysian king Seuthes III, in the region of today Koprinka dam, is a fact of exceptional scientific importance. The building of Seuthopolis has started at the beginning of the last third of the 4th c. BC, while the boom in its development began in the Early Hellenistic era. With this time is also connected the building of the most impressive tomb facilities for prominent Thracian aristocrats.

Bulgaria - Thracian Tomb with Wall Paintings beside Alexandrovo village

The tomb beside Alexandrovo village, discovered in December 2000, is a unique example of the domed Thracian tombs. Its construction was preliminarily dated from middle IV century B.C. and the wall painting decoration - from the second half of IV century B.C. (G. Kitov, 2001). It is situated under a mound of 60 m diameter and around 15 m high. It has East-West orientation, the entrance is from the East side and is composed of a dromos of above 9 m length, a rectangular antechamber with width of 1,85 m, length of 1,20 m, and a round camera with diameter of 3,30 m and 3,30 m height. The type of construction is stone one with a dry joint (dry walling). Particular decision represents the long dromos, covered with stone plates, and the low entrances to the antechamber and the chamber. The vault arch of the antechamber and the dome of the round chamber are of “artificial vault” type with console protruding stone quadrates. All the premises were entirely decorated with wall paintings. From the wall-paintings in the antechamber separate fragments remained, but the decoration of the round chamber is very well preserved. The decoration scheme is elaborated in horizontal zones of alternating monochrome sections, ornamental friezes and figural compositions, thus the system of decoration shows elements of the so called structural style. On the precise hewed stone construction a double layered lime plaster is impasted and smoothed up. The monochrome zones are performed in “stucco lustro” technique and their plaster surface is precisely polished. The painting technique can be determined as “fresco”. The differences in the line and proportions between the painted figures in the antechamber and in the dromos are most probably due to the participation in the painting process of at least two masters. The decoration of the round chamber is the richest one. From below upwards it consist of a figural frieze, a monochrome girdle, a high plinth in a Pompeian red, a drip with three elements – a cima lesbos, a meander and a cordon, second figural frieze with four groups of hunt-scenes, a belt of cima lesbos, above which the dome is painted in ochre. The plate in the zenith is divided in four colored sections. The low-situated figural frieze is considerably damaged. Of great interest is the very well preserved upper figural frieze. The painting represents four realistic and dynamically decided scenes of boar and deer hunting, which give rich information about the Thracians’ way of life, of their physical appearance, arms, horse-trappings etc.

Bulgaria - Two neolithic dwellings with their interior and household furnishings and utensils completely preserved

They are located in the city of Stara Zagora, in the district of the Higher Institute of Medicine.The two dwellings stand side by side. They date back to the 6th millennium before our era. They were discovered in the course of excavations. By a rare chance, all the furnishings and household utensils have been preserved intact since discovery. At present, they are the best preserved dwellings of that period found in Bulgaria or in any other country. The furnaces, hand-grinders, the numerous ceramic vessels, stone implements, ornaments and the like are in very good condition. The dwellings offer a complete idea of the life of a neo--lithic family - its number, economic life and everyday occupations, the nature of home furnishings and utensils, the manner of building, maintenance, the preparation of food, etc. The neo-lithic dwellings of Stara Zagora are a unique monument of culture in Europe and Hither Asia from that early era. They have been declared monuments of culture. All findings have been preserved and conserved in the exact position in which they were discovered. A special museum has been built above them. The public has access to the archaeological monument through a roundabout corridor. An exhibition room and other rooms attached to the museum, have been built as well.

Bulgaria - The Bachkovo Monastery

The monastery is located in the Rhodope Mountains, not far from the town of Assenovgrad. Founded in the 11th century, it is one of the oldest monas-teries in the Balkan Peninsula.It was connected with three cultures: Byzantine, old Georgean and Bulgarian. It has preserved unique and highly valuable monuments of architecture and painting, typical of Eastern Orthodox culture. The monastery ossuary (11-12th century) is a two-storied chapel with murals in both stories. It is unique in the entire Eastern Orthodox world. The Church of the Holy Archangels is a rare example of a two- storied building from the 12th-14th centuries. The refectory (17th century) contains a picturesque ensemble wholly and splendidly preserved which could be compared to only one or two similar monuments in the territories of the Eastern Orthodox regions. The main monastery Church of Our Virgin contains murals of the 17th century which are very well preserved. The frescoes of the Church of St.Nicholas and of some of the monastery buildings are closely related to Balkan culture in the l9th century. There are several auxiliary buildings, chapels and of the shrines in the vicinity situated against varied and pleasant mountain natural scenery. The complex nature of this monument, its high degree of authenticity , its role in the cultural interrelationship of three nations during the Middle Ages, and the presence of valuable and unique monuments of architecture and painting determine its extraordinary significance.

Bulgaria - The ancient town of Nicopolis ad Istrum

This ancient town is located near the village of Nikyup, the district of Veliko Turnovo, at 20 km from the town of Veliko Turnovo. Nicopolis ad Istrum was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan after his victories over the Dacians in 101 and 106. It was built over an area of 30 hectares and is surrounded by fortress walls. The villas the craftsmen's workshops and necropolises are to be found outside the walls. The town was planned according to the orthogonal system. The network of streets, the forum surrounded by an Ionic colonnade and many buildings, a two-nave room later turned into a basilica and other public buildings have been uncovered in this town. The rich architectures and sculptures show a similarity with those of the ancient towns in Asia Minor, Ephesus, Milletus, Palmyra, etc. NICOPOLIS AD ISTRUM minted its own coins - 900 different emissions for one century, bearing images of its own public buildings. It was an episcopal centre during the early Byzantine period and was destroyed b the Avar invasions at the end of the 6th century. A Bulgarian medieval settlement arose upon its ruins later (10-14th cent.). NICOPOLIS AD ISTRUM is an important site and is visited by thousands of Bulgarian and foreign tourists and many specialists. It has been declared a monument of culture and scrupulous care is taken of further excavations, investigation and popularization.

Bulgaria - Central Balkan National Park

The National Park includes territories from 5 administrative districts: Lovech (28 827,5 ha), Gabrovo (3 192,4 ha), Stara Zagora (10 550,7 ha): Plovdiv (25 702,1 ha) and Sofia (3 396,8 ha). Central Balkan National Park, situated in the heart of Bulgaria, includes the central and highest parts of Stara Planina Mountain (The Balkan Mountain Range). The park extends in East-West direction for about 85 km, covering a 10 km wide stripe and altitude from 550 m up to the highest peak of Stara Planina mountains - Botev peak - 2 376 m a s. l. Central Balkan National Park contains forests with total area of 44 000, 8 hа (61 %), and mountain pastures and meadows with total area of 27 668,7 hа (39%). The park was established to protect the unique wilderness of Central Stara Planina Mountains and the local traditions and livelihoods linked to it.