Sights

Novae Roman Town - Svishtov

The camp appeared in 45 AD and initially provided accommodation to the 8^th legion of Augustus, and in 69AD the First Italic Legion arrived and stayed there till late Antiquity. The site is 4 km east of Svishtov.

           The fortification is 485m wide and 365 m long and was raised in close proximity to the high bank of the Danube. Southwest and west of it there was a civil village where veterans of wars, tradesmen and craftsmen lived with their families. Another village has been discovered 2 km east of Novae, which probably gained a statute of a municipum, or a town with its own government. Towards the end of the 3^rd and the beginning of the 4^th century, the military camp gradually became a fortress town with mixed military and civil population. Joint Bulgarian-Polish excavation works have been carried out on its territory since 1960. As a result, the fortifying system of the camp has been discovered, the Principia (or the headquarters of the legion), as well as many bases of statues, inscriptions, pieces of bronze statues, coins from the beginning of the 4^th century, and a rare sculpture portrait of Emperor Karakala (311-317AD). The finds discovered in the quarters of the officers, coins, pottery, and glass ware, are among the ancient items discovered in Novae. Medical instruments have been found while examining the military hospital, in addition to dedication inscriptions, frescos, clay lamps, etc. Other finds of excavation works include the bath of the legion, a building outside the camp, which might have been a residence of the legion’s legate. Two full-size bronze statues were discovered there and a peristyle building, probably the residence of a prominent citizen or a high-rank military officer.

            During the 5^th and 6^th century, Novae was known as a bishop’s town. Many basilicas were discovered, and currently one of the biggest basilicas on the Balkans from the second half of the 5^th century is being examined.

            The latest data about Novae is to be traced back to the beginning of the 7^th century.

            At present, Novae is the best examined Roman camp in Bulgaria and some of the most impressing finds are exhibited in the archaeological display.

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