Bulgaria Inside

An ancient beehive tomb is situated near the entrance of the coastal town of Pomorie. The tomb has been found under a mound in the Palekastro region. According to historians, it dates back to the 2nd to 4th centuries AD and was probably a mausoleum tomb of a rich family, where religious rituals took place.

The tomb was discovered in 1888 and is the biggest ancient burial place discovered in Bulgaria. The unique monument has a circular chamber of 11.6 m in diameter and 5.5 m in height. Its hallway is 22 m long and 2.4 m high.

Stone and bricks were used in the construction. Archaeologists found traces of paint, meaning that the central chamber was covered in drawings. The central column is of interest since it is hollow and expanding to merge with the circular wall. Five niches were used for the placement of urns.

Architecture of the construction, including a chamber, a hallway and connecting premises, is typical for the Thracian construction style. Yet, the semi-cylindrical vault is unique only for this tomb and does not appear in other findings from the same time period.

The ancient beehive tomb is situated 300 m away from a first-class road and is easily accessible. Visitors can explore it from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm during the summer. During the winter, you have to call in advance if you plan to visit.