Roman Forum of Philippopolis

The Roman Forum of Philippopolis lies partially exposed at the heart of the modern city, revealed by excavations that began in the 1980s. It was a large rectangular plaza surrounded by colonnades, administrative buildings, and temples — the civic centre of the Roman city of Philippopolis in its 2nd and 3rd century heyday.

The forum's footprint is visible from walkways above the excavation, which sits several metres below the current street level. Some sections are open to enter; interpretive panels explain the original layout. This is not a polished museum experience — it's an archaeological site embedded in a working city centre — but that rough authenticity is part of what makes it interesting. The nearby Great Basilica, a 4th-century Christian church also visible in excavation, completes the picture.

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A story
The Roman forum of Philippopolis was discovered during construction work on what is now the central pedestrian street. Rather than build over it, the Bulgarian authorities excavated and preserved it in an open-air underground complex visible through glass sections in the pavement and from a dedicated viewing area. Shoppers and office workers walk directly above one of the largest Roman forums ever found in Eastern Europe.