The excavations of the ancient therms in Bourgas are almost completed

information by HoReMag

After the end of the archaeology season, the ancient therms in the mineral baths nearby Bourgas are almost completely uncovered, announced the municipality. The depth of the culture layers is almost 9 metres and specialists already discover findings from the IV-I century BC. The historical sources announce that the today’s neighborhoods in Bourgas – Vetren and Banevo used to be a famous Thermopolis – Aqua Kalide, build in the beginning of the II century by the roman emperor Trayan over an ancient Thracian village.
The most important result from the discoveries is that the mineral baths of Thermopolis turn out to be the biggest in the eastern part of the Balkans. The total area of the excavations is already 3 800 square metres. During the new excavations, scientists uncovered the central hall of the baths, called “caldaria” in ancient times – a site for hot procedures with mineral water. The heating system “hypocaust” was also uncovered, together with the antique catchment of two hot springs with temperature between 53 and 42 °C and the catchment for cold water in the northern part of the complex. It was also used for healing procedures in the so called “frigidarium” – a swimming pool with lukewarm water.

8 halls form the eastern wing of the complex, where the shops and kitchens were situated, are also uncovered. They are connected with the last stage of the functioning of the medieval baths – between Xth and XIII th century, before they are completely burned down in the XIIIth century. Over 80 coins, glass and bronze bracelets, rings, spindles, stone cast for small bronze jewels, candlestick and balsamario for different tufis, ethereal oils for massages. Among the most valuable finds are a lead stamp of the Byzantium strategist from the XIth century and a ring-stamp with a griffon.

The final marking of the borders of the property, where construction works will be prohibited is about to take place. The region still boasts with enough quantity mineral water, whose debit has even increased during the past years. Bourgas municipal plans to develop the already existing sanitary-resort complex uncover and preserve the archaeology findings. Thus the whole region will be transformed into a resort zone for history, recreation and spa tourism. The municipal will propose to include the mineral baths into the movement “Learn Bulgaria – 100 national tourism sites.”