Bulgaria Inside

Abrittus preserve is situated several kilometers away from the town of Razgrad and holds the remains of an ancient Roman settlement. A Thracian settlement was initially located there. In the 1st century, Roman conquerors came to the area and established a military camp. A century later, the camp turned into a city.

Its apogee came in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Later, the city got a wall having 35 towers and four gates. Once the empire accepted Christianity, Abritus turned into a bishop’s center.

In the end of the 6th century, the city experienced decline because of barbaric assaults. A Bulgarian fortification appeared in time, but was destroyed during the conquest of the Kiev prince Svetoslav.

Archaeological work in the region began in the end of the 19th century but major discoveries were made from the 50s to the 70s of the 20th century. Scientists looked for decades for the ancient city that was mentioned so often in historic writings.

Today, Abrittus has turned into one of the best explored and renovated ancient cities. One of the biggest ancient treasures was discovered there. It consists of more than 853 gold coins.

A museum in the complex puts on display some of the artifacts discovered in the region.