It presents Roman and early Byzantine mosaics discovered in ancient Marcianopolis, and is built directly over part of the remains of a large late Roman town house. The museum is site No. 10 on the list of the "100 National Tourist Sites".
If you are travelling from Sofia to Varna or north-eastern Bulgaria, a visit to the Mosaic Museum is an interesting stop for anyone who wants to see up close traces of life in Roman Marcianopolis.
Marcianopolis – the ancient city beneath Devnya
Present-day Devnya is the successor of ancient Marcianopolis – an important military, administrative and cultural centre in the Roman era. The city developed particularly actively in the 3rd and 4th centuries, when it also became an important centre of the Roman province. Archaeological research in the area has revealed the remains of residential and public buildings, fortifications, necropolises and an ancient amphitheatre.
Many of the finds that can be seen today in the Mosaic Museum come from this ancient city.
The ancient town house
The museum's story begins in 1976, when archaeologists discovered a large late Roman building richly decorated with mosaics. It was built in the late 3rd – early 4th century on the site of earlier buildings destroyed during the Gothic invasions.
The building was impressive for its time. It occupied the area of an entire ancient city block and had 21 roomsarranged around an inner courtyard with a well and a covered colonnade. The total area of the rooms is about 1,400 sq. m.
Part of the museum today follows the architecture of the ancient building itself, allowing visitors to view the mosaics in their original historical setting.
The mosaics of Marcianopolis
The main reason tourists visit the museum is its impressive multicoloured mosaics. They are made of small stone and glass cubes – so-called tesserae, made of marble, limestone, fired clay and coloured glass.
Classical Roman techniques were used opus tessellatum and opus vermiculatum, and the colour palette includes 16 different colours. The images depict scenes from Greco-Roman mythology, animals, birds, plant motifs and intricate geometric ornaments.
Three of the mosaics have been preserved and displayed in situ – in the places where they were found. Others were carefully conserved and moved onto a new base.
The Medusa mosaic
One of the most recognisable mosaics in the museum depicts the shield of the goddess Athena Pallas with the head of the Gorgon Medusa. According to Devnya Municipality, it adorned the floor of the dining room of the ancient house.
The image was not merely decorative. Medusa had a protective function and was believed to guard the occupants of the home from ill-wishers.
Stories from Greco-Roman mythology
Among the most interesting images are scenes involving mythological figures. The mosaics show how strongly Greco-Roman culture was present in the daily life of the well-off residents of Marcianopolis.
Besides the mythological scenes, visitors can see images of exotic animals, birds, plants and geometric compositions. The details are especially fascinating – even the smallest tesserae were chosen to create depth and different shades in the images.
The Marcianopolis gold coin hoard
One of the newer highlights of the exhibition is the Marcianopolis gold coin hoard, found during archaeological research between 2019 and 2023.
The hoard includes 20 gold solidi, minted in the name of Emperor Theodosius II, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th century. It is linked to a late antique building burnt down during the great Hunnic invasion of 447.
This makes a visit to the museum more than a look at beautiful mosaics – the exhibition shows different aspects of the life and history of the ancient city.
What else to visit in Devnya?
The Mosaic Museum can be part of a wider walk around Devnya and the area. Interesting places include:
- The remains of ancient Marcianopolis – archaeological structures linked to the ancient city.
- The ancient amphitheatre – part of the archaeological heritage of Marcianopolis.
- The remains of the fortress walls of the ancient city.
- The Devnya Springs – a natural attraction linked to the river and the history of the area.
- Varna – a fitting continuation of the route, with many museums, the Sea Garden and coastal sights.
For tourists arriving by air in the capital, a transfer from Sofia Airport to the Mosaic Museum in Devnya is a convenient option for travelling directly to north-eastern Bulgaria.
Instead of arranging several separate journeys, you can travel directly from Sofia Airport to Devnya, stating the Mosaic Museum in advance as your final destination. The transfer suits individual tourists as well as families and groups.
A comfortable journey to the Mosaic Museum with Tsenov Group
With Tsenov Group you can arrange a direct transfer from Sofia Airport to Devnya and back. If needed, the route can be tailored to your schedule – a visit to the museum, a hotel in Varna, other sights in the area or onward travel to another destination.
If you are planning a visit to ancient Marcianopolis, you can combine a transfer from Sofia Airport to the Mosaic Museum in Devnya with a visit to other historical and natural sights in the area.
For information and bookings:
0888 867 779 / 0887 606 185
