Description of the attraction
The ruins of the Roman amphitheater in the Bulgarian capital Sofia are a famous archaeological site in the very center of the modern city. Serdika is the ancient name of Sofia; the amphitheater was located three hundred meters from the eastern gate of this ancient city.
The complex, consisting of several unique ancient buildings of the 2-3 century (theater and amphitheater), was opened in 2004 by accident, during the construction of the hotel. But much earlier - in 1919 - a stone slab was found here, on which a scene of a gladiatorial battle was depicted.
The theater was built here earlier - at the end of the second - beginning of the third century. It was a semicircular wide space with several brick rows facing east. It was lined with sand and river stones and was called "orchestra" - the stage of the theater. As a result of archaeological research, the age of the theater was established - based on coins, ceramics and medallions dating back to the time of the emperors Geta and Caracalla. The theater existed until about 270 when the Goths destroyed it during the invasion of Serdica.
At the end of the 3rd century, an amphitheater was erected on the ruins of the theater - a special structure for public meetings, gladiator fights, and military processions. After a couple of decades, the amphitheater was repaired and expanded. However, at the end of the 4th century, as a result of the reforms of Theodosius I against pagan games and cults, the amphitheater gradually fell into decay. Until the 7th century, the construction of the amphitheater was used as warehouses, stables, barns and camps for Byzantine soldiers.
The Roman amphitheater in Sofia is the 77th monument of its kind in the world, the size of the amphitheater brings it closer to the Colosseum (the length of the structure is sixty and a half meters, the width is forty three meters). The unique monument is made by the combination of ancient theater and amphitheater in one place.
The ruins are accessible for visiting, today you can see not only the ruins of an ancient structure, but also archaeological finds discovered in this area. The study of this unique antique complex has now been discontinued due to the cessation of funding. The infamous five-star hotel "Arena di Serdica" was erected on the ruins.
