Archaeology News: Secrets of the Bulgarian Pompeii

Archaeologists have begun to explore the Bulgarian Pompeii, an ancient city of Nikopolis-ad-Istrum near Veliko Tarnovo deriving its name from one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, Pompeii. If you interested in finding out more about exhibits featuring Pompeii, check out my Worlds Most Popular Archaeology Museums.


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Archaeologists are exploring a building dating back to the ruling of Roman emperor Septimus Severus. According to experts, the building was used as temple by the worshippers of Cybele, who was widely known as the goddess of caverns, of the Earth in its primitive state; worshipped on mountain tops.
“So far the archaeologists have found fragments of wall paneling, details of door cases, windows and niches. They are expecting expert results that would enable them to restore the architectural layout of the settlement at the beginning of its history - early 2nd cent. during the reign of Emperor Trajan.”

The classical town of Nikopolis-ad-Istrum was planned according to the orthogonal system. A perfectly orthogonal grid would have entailed significant differences in the distance from the houses to particular structures, or a basilica to outlying public buildings.

“The rich architecture and sculptures show a similarity with those of the ancient towns in Asia Minor.”