ROMAN FORUM (РИМСКИ РИМСКИ)

Under the cobblestones, the stadium! In the heart of the modern city center, anachronistically, we discover the exhumed ruins of the Philippopolis stadium, built in the early ^2nd century AD under the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Measuring 240 m long and 50 m wide, the facility could accommodate up to 30,000 spectators, who thrilled to the spectacular games organized by the General Assembly of the Province of Thrace. In their honor, the Philippopolis mint struck coins depicting the face of the ruling emperor and the types of sporting events held in the ancient stadium. Since 2021, the archaeological finds in the eastern sector of the Philippopolis Ancient Stadium, located beneath the Star Gallery shopping center (H&M store in the main pedestrian street) and Excelsior shopping center, have been open to visitors. All the excavated parts of the Roman stadium are on display. Spread over an area of 11 ha, surrounded by stores and public buildings, the Roman stadium stretched over what is today the heart of the modern city, a stone's throw from the Great Mosque. The site has been perfectly preserved and enhanced. In the basement, 3D projections on a large screen are programmed, with a reconstruction of a missing part of the stadium and ancient sports games. Night-time illumination of the stadium. A clash of eras and a contemporary integration of Antiquity with today's bustling city life.