The ancient city impresses with its well-organised street grid, forum, public buildings, fortress walls and archaeological finds.
For tourists arriving in Bulgaria through the capital, a transfer from Sofia Airport to Nicopolis ad Istrum is a convenient way to reach the archaeological reserve directly, without having to arrange several separate journeys.
The history of Nicopolis ad Istrum
The city was founded by the Roman emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajan in the early 2nd century, after his victory over the Dacians in 106. The name Nicopolis ad Istrum can be translated as "City of Victory on the Istros" – Istros being the ancient name of the Danube.
The location was not chosen by chance. Nicopolis ad Istrum stood at the crossing of important roads in Lower Moesia. One of them linked Odessos, present-day Varna, with the interior of the empire and Serdica, while another led from Novae to the passes of the Haemus and to Byzantium. This made the city an important trade and communications hub.
The city of straight streets
Nicopolis ad Istrum was planned on an orthogonal grid – the streets were straight and crossed at right angles. The main city arteries were the cardo maximus and the decumanus maximus, around which the individual districts took shape.
This layout recalls the way many large Roman cities were built. Archaeological research has uncovered streets, squares, public buildings, shops and residential districts.
Particularly impressive are the preserved sections of ancient streets built of large limestone slabs. Beneath them were channels for carrying away waste water – another example of the city's developed infrastructure.
The agora – the centre of the ancient city
In the central part of Nicopolis ad Istrum stood the agora – the main city square and the place of public life.
Around it were various public buildings, shops and administrative rooms. On the north side was a large civic basilica, used for public activities, commercial transactions and the administration of justice.
In the western part of the agora stood the bouleuterion – the city council building. To the south of it was a small theatre, known as the odeon.
A walk through the remains of the forum shows what a Roman city centre looked like nearly two thousand years ago.
The fortress walls
At first Nicopolis ad Istrum had no fortress walls. They were built after the attack by the Costoboci in 172
The fortifications were serious for their time – the walls reached about 8 metres in height and the towers up to 12 metres. The city had several protected gates, and the main western gate was known as Porta Romana.
From the gates the main streets of the city led to the centre, making the fortification system part of the overall urban structure.
Life in Nicopolis ad Istrum
The population of the ancient city was diverse. Thracians, Roman veterans and settlers from Asia Minor lived here, and the official language was ancient Greek. The city worshipped both Greco-Roman and eastern deities – among them Zeus, Hera, Athena, Heracles, Asclepius, Dionysus and Mithras.
The city enjoyed a particularly strong economic boom during the Severan dynasty. The local mint struck more than 1,000 types of bronze coins, some of which depict temples and public buildings of Nicopolis ad Istrum itself.
These finds provide valuable information not only about the economy but also about the architecture of the city.
What else can be seen at the archaeological reserve?
When you visit Nicopolis ad Istrum you can explore different parts of the ancient city:
- the ancient agora and the forum complex;
- the remains of the main streets;
- the fortress walls and gates;
- the bouleuterion – the city council building;
- the small theatre – the odeon;
- the remains of the public bath;
- the building known as the thermoperipatos;
- the ancient necropolis and the preserved mounds in the surroundings;
- remains of villas, settlements and production centres within the city territory.
Nicopolis ad Istrum and Veliko Tarnovo
The location of the archaeological reserve makes it a fitting part of a tourist route around Veliko Tarnovo. After visiting the ancient city you can continue to Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, the Samovodska Charshiya or Arbanasi.
In this way a single route lets you follow different periods in the history of the region – from the Roman era to the medieval Bulgarian capital.
For tourists arriving by air, a transfer from Sofia Airport to Nicopolis ad Istrum is a convenient option for travelling directly to the archaeological reserve.
You can travel directly from Sofia Airport to Nicopolis ad Istrum, without changing buses or trains. If needed, the route can also be tailored to include a visit to Veliko Tarnovo or other sights in the area.
This is a suitable solution for families, tour groups and individual visitors who want to make the most of their time.
A comfortable journey to Nicopolis ad Istrum with Tsenov Group
With Tsenov Group you can arrange a direct transfer from Sofia Airport to Nicopolis ad Istrum and back. The route can be tailored to your schedule, including a visit to Veliko Tarnovo and other historical sites in the region.
If you are planning a historical tour, you can combine a transfer from Sofia Airport to Nicopolis ad Istrum with a visit to Tsarevets, the Regional Historical Museum, Trapezitsa and Arbanasi.
For information and bookings:
0888 867 779 / 0887 606 185
