Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Excavations resumed at the Thracian sanctuary after a 15-year hiatus

Archaeologists unearth large cult complex near the grave of Orpheus by the village of Tatul

The Thracian sanctuary of Orpheus near the village of Tatul.
Photo: Anelia Kryndeva

After a 15-year hiatus, excavations have resumed at the Thracian sanctuary of Orpheus near the village of Tatul. They were financed by the municipality of Momchilgrad with 11 250 euros, reports BNR-Kardzhali. 

"The site near Tatul has been functioning since ancient times. Over the years, we have managed to explore the part located around a large rock with a carved sarcophagus," said archaeologist Nikolai Ovcharov, who led the research. He noted that the great Bulgarian archaeologist prof. Ivan Venedikov had a hypothesis that this was the grave of Orpheus, which was later proven during the excavations.
Nikolay Ovcharov (left) and his team have resumed excavations of the Thracian sanctuary of Orpheus near the village of Tatul.
Currently, the expedition is exploring a hill a hundred meters from the rock tomb of Orpheus. According to one testimony from the early 20th century, there were remains of a medieval church there. Today, archaeologists came across walls that testify to the presence of a large cult complex. In the course of the excavation they will be able to better estimate its size.

Every year tens of thousands of tourists visit the historic site associated with the name of the mythical Orpheus. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Dr. Petar Beron

Dr. Petar Beron speaks about the first steps of the Bulgarian transition and democracy today

On November 10, 1989, at a plenum of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party, Todor Zhivkov was removed from the position of General Secretary - the highest position in the party and the state. What happened at the..

published on 11/10/24 6:45 AM
Photo: National Archaeological Reserve Deultum - Debelt

A bottle featuring an image of the myth of the Chimera monster discovered in a 2nd-century Roman necropolis

Archaeologists have discovered a very rare and valuable glass bottle in a 2nd-century tomb in the southern necropolis of the Roman colony Deultum near the village of Debelt (Southeastern Bulgaria). What makes it unique is that it depicts the myth of..

published on 11/9/24 6:55 AM

Days of Croatian Archaeological Heritage start in Sofia

The Days of Croatian Archaeological Heritage, which will last until 8 November, begin today at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) in Sofia. The event is organised by the Croatian Embassy in..

published on 11/6/24 7:55 AM