Antique Forum Augusta Trayana

Welcome, fellow travelers, to an astonishing portal into classical antiquity: the Antique Forum of Augusta Trayana. Here, in the very geometric center of modern Stara Zagora, the ground falls away to reveal the breathtaking,…

We commence our journey by stepping directly onto the Decumanus Maximus, the primary east-west axis of Augusta Trayana. To walk upon these colossal limestone slabs is to physically connect with the second century. …

Directly facing the square, we encounter the most striking and structurally intact feature of the entire complex: the semicircular, amphitheater-style seating arrangement known as the auditorium. Ten rows of heavy, carefully…

Let us shift our attention to the imposing, heavily reinforced stone structures marking the western periphery of the forum. These formidable ruins represent the Western Gate and the defensive walls of Augusta Trayana. …

Just south of the main thoroughfare, the ground opens to reveal a complex labyrinth of low brick walls and subterranean pillars. We are looking at the extensive remains of the municipal Thermae, the public Roman baths. …

While the monumental stone architecture forms the rugged skeleton of the Antique Forum, the true artistic soul of Augusta Trayana is found in its exquisite mosaics. Although many of the finest examples have been carefully…

For our final detailed examination within the Antique Forum, direct your attention to the scattered, heavy stone blocks featuring deeply carved Latin and ancient Greek inscriptions. These are the surviving pedestals that once…

As our exploration of the Antique Forum of Augusta Trayana concludes, take one final, sweeping look across this magnificent archaeological basin. We have walked the ancient rutted stones of the Decumanus Maximus, sat upon the…