Roman residential buildings and barracks complex in Hisarya

Dear fans of "Photo Moments", in this travel post I will introduce you to the ancient ruins, remains of a Roman residential building and the nearby barracks complex, located along the southern fortress wall of the ancient city of Diocletianopol in today's Hisaria.

The foundations of a late Roman residential building

Our joint journey into antiquity begins at the most famous symbol of Hisaria - the huge southern gate of Diocletianopolis, later called "Camels" because of its uncanny resemblance to these animals, at the time when the imposing arch was divided.

Main southern fortress gate "The Camels"

How do you get to the remains of the ancient Roman barracks complex?

Today, "Ivan Vazov" boulevard passes under the giant and massive fortress gate.

We will not leave the boundaries of the ancient city of Diocletianopol, but we will go for a pleasant walk on the inside of its southern fortress wall.

We take the small and quiet alleys winding around the Lily of the Valley Park, which starts here.

The foundations of the Roman barracks complex

Here are the remains of ancient Roman residential buildings and old barracks, where the numerous Roman soldiers who guarded the emperor during his visits to the warm mineral healing springs of Hisaria stayed.

Of particular interest is the Roman barracks complex, built in the second half of the IV century.

The foundations of Roman barracks

The complex was located along the entire length of the southeast wall and in the southern part of the northeast wall.

The barracks were built after the construction of the walls and were attached to them.

The barracks complex of Diocletianopol included nine oblong buildings with walls almost a meter thick.

Seven of these buildings are located on the southeast wall, and two on the northeast.

They were built at the same time in the middle of the IV century and were burned down and rebuilt several times.

The extreme southwestern building, after its second consecutive destruction, was rebuilt into a two-nave basilica.

The remaining barracks existed until the 7th century, when they were destroyed again, probably during the Avaro-Slavic invasions.

In the Middle Ages, residential buildings were built on the ruins of the barracks.

An army of about 600 men was permanently garrisoned in the barracks.

Remains of a late Roman residential building

Directly opposite the barracks you will find the remains of a Roman residential building with an open courtyard and a beautiful colonnade.

The ruins of the former Roman building cover an area of 2,637 square meters.

It is a typical representative of Roman civil architecture of the type of Italian town houses.

In the Archaeological Museum of the city of Hisarya, it is possible to see a reconstruction of the late Roman residential building.

It was built in the second half of the 4th century, and in the middle of the 5th century it was destroyed by the Huns, after which it was rebuilt and expanded to the north.

In 1976, with Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 199, the area surrounded by the fortress walls of the Roman city of Diocletianopol was declared a National Archaeological Reserve!

I wish you wild beauty, a fabulous walk and magical emotions!