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Aya Radwan
Aya Radwan
Serdica is the old name of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The name originated from the Thracian founders of the city back in 2,000 BC. The Celtic tribe Serdi bestowed their name on the city they chose as residence, as they mainly settled around the mineral springs.
The name Serdica also refers to the district in the centre of Sofia. The district is divided into four neighbourhoods and has different public service facilities for citizens. The Central Railway Station, Central Bus Station, and the Lion’s Bridge (Lavov Most) also exist in the district of Serdica.
Serdica in History
Early History of Serdica
The first documented inhabitants of Serdica, even before it acquired such a name, were from the 30th millennium BC. The city became the residence of the Thracian Tilataei, who were the first to settle there. After that, the city became part of a Thracian state union: the Odrysian kingdom. Serdica suffered destruction for the first time at the hands of Phillip II of Macedon in 339 BC.
Under Roman rule, starting in 29 BC, Serdica was an important fortress and an economic and administrative centre. During the reign of Emperor Trajan, the city expanded with additions of turrets, protective walls, public baths, administrative and cult buildings, a civic basilica, a theatre, a circus, the City Council, a large forum, and a giant circus or theatre. The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius ordered the city’s fortification with defence walls between 176 and 180.
Serdica’s importance increased as it was an important city on the Roman road Via Militaris, which connected Singidunum and Byzantium. This was following the Edict of Toleration issued in 311, in which Emperor Galerius decreed a policy of tolerance towards Christianity. The edict was the first to legislate Christianity, preceding the Edict of Milan by two years. Serdica became one of the first Roman cities where Christianity was recognized and embraced as an official religion.
Serdica before the decline of the Roman Empire
Constantine the Great used to say, “Serdika is my Rome,” as he fell in love with the city. He reigned from there until the city of Constantinople was established, before the decision to move the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire from Serdica to Constantinople was made. Serdica was fortified by building a wall with four gates and observation towers that looked at the four directions of the world.
During the decline of the Roman Empire, the city was raided by many forces: the Huns, Visigoths, Avars, and Slavs. The city was completely destroyed after the attack by the Huns in 447, after which Serdica was left in ruins for a century. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I rebuilt the city, after which it flourished. He ordered the building of another fortified wall around it, the remains of which can still be seen today.
Serdica was incorporated into the First Bulgarian Empire in 809 by Khan Krum after a long siege. The city’s fall led to the invasion of Bulgaria at the hands of the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I. Since then, the city has been permanently integrated into Bulgaria, and its name has changed to the Slavic name Sredets.
Byzantine rule continued over Sredets until it was taken over by the Ottomans in the 14th century. Renamed Sofia, the city maintained its administrative and economic relevance. The Ottoman grip on the city began to slip with revolutionary movements rising up, and the whole of Bulgaria was free from the Ottomans after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.
Serdica Today
Evidence of the old city of Serdica can still be found around the current city of Sofia. Accidental digging led to the planned excavation of the remains of one of the most important buildings of the old city, the Amphitheater of Serdica. Several findings from that period are on display at the Serdica Metro Station.
1. Amphitheater of Serdica – Arena di Serdica Hotel:
Discovery of the Amphitheater of Serdica:
Once located outside the walls of the ancient Serdica, the theater was discovered by accident during early construction works in 2004 of what is now known as Arena di Serdica Hotel. The existence of a Roman amphitheatre has been debated for years.
After the discovery of a stone plate near what is now the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria, the debate heated up, the stone plate showed the façade of a theater and fights between gladiators and wild animals such as crocodiles, bulls, and wild cats.
The parts of the arena discovered during the hotel’s excavation were preserved and incorporated into the hotel’s ground floor. These include the eastern entrance and a section of the amphitheatre, which is accessible to the public during the day except on Mondays. This amphitheatre section consists of a small collection of coins and ceramics discovered at the site.
The remaining part of the ruins were discovered while digging for a National Electric Company office in 2007. After the discovery, a campaign advocated for preventing the company’s construction work. The parts discovered were the western entrance and the adjacent part of the arena.
The Structure of the Amphitheater of Serdica:
The theater was originally built on the ruins of an earlier Roman theatre from the 2nd or 3rd century AD. The theatre’s ruins were discovered 5 meters under the amphitheatre ruins. It is believed the theatre was built at the same time as the city’s defensive walls around Serdica under the reign of Commodus and was in use until it was ravaged and burned by a Gothic raid in the first half of 268.
Coin and ceramic findings indicate that the theater was constructed on the ruins of the theatre through two stages in the late 3rd century and early 4th century AD under Roman Emperors Diocletian and Constantine the Great. The theater is believed to have been in use for less than a century, most probably because of the anti-pagan policies of Theodosius I.
Barbarian invaders in the 5th and 6th centuries built homes within the former arena. During the Ottoman period, the abandoned amphitheater was used as a source of building materials for new housing.
The amphitheatre was designed to host a maximum of 20,000 to 25,000 people and was east-west oriented, similar to arenas in the Mediterranean region. It had two main gates, one from the west and one from the east, and was connected by an underground water canal.
Among the excavated and preserved ruins is the main entrance of the theater, the underground level, part of the central section with about seven spectator seats and gates with sliding doors that let animals into the arena. Other excavated items include bear and boar bones, hundreds of bronze coins and clay stones imprinted with footprints of goats, cats and dogs.
2. The Ancient Serdica Archeological Complex -Open Air Museum:
Location and opening of the Ancient Serdica Archeological Complex:
Located at The Largo, the square between the Council of the Ministers and The Presidency, this restored ancient Roman complex of Serdica was opened in 2016. Dubbed the Lost Roman city of Serdica, the unveiling of this fascinating archaeological site was the fruit of years of excavation and restoration work carried out by the Bulgarian government.
The preserved site offers visitors a glimpse into the history of this once-significant Roman city. The complex’s structure is unique, as some parts were partially covered by glass domes, giving the area an even more majestic appeal. Other parts are visible from the streets outside of Sofia.
Components of the Ancient Serdica Archeological Complex:
Much of the revealed complex exists underground, below street level. The complex consists of 8 streets and what was an early Christian Basilica—which is believed to have been built over two stages, from the 4th to late 5th centuries and 5th to late 6th centuries. There’s the largest and earliest find from ancient Serdica: six large buildings and a late Medieval Church.
Visitors can walk around the ancient city, marvelling at its beauty. The 2,000-year-old pavement is almost completely preserved. A building called Felix House is among the city. It is a 650-square-meter building with several rooms around an inner courtyard dating back to the 4th or 6th centuries. An inscription on the mosaic floor of the house was interpreted as the name of its owner, Felix, an important resident of Serdica.
Another house is believed to have been the home of Leontius. Archaeologists who worked on the site believe it to be that of the Archbishop of Serdica in the late decades of the 6th century. The house was presumably built between the 4th and 6th centuries.
Under the Glass Domes – The Open Air Museum of Ancient Serdica:
Under one of the glass domes between the Council and the Presidency, there’s a stage intended for use as a theatre, concerts, and other events. One of the most important attractions is Decumanus Maximus, one of the two main streets of the ancient city of Serdica.
Of the many challenges that arose during the restoration works was how to preserve the ruins at the same time as the construction of the Sofia Subway because the tunnels had to pass beneath the preservation site. More expansion work is to be done on the site to fully recover a sizeable Roman mosaic which still lies under the ruins.
3. Serdica Metro Station Archeological Exhibits:
Several archaeological finds are on display at Serdica Metro Stations. There are two Serdica Metro Stations, both located six meters underground in the centre of the discovered ruins of Serdica. Some archaeological findings are stored in protective glass chambers and placed at different locations.
In Serdica II Station, the historical findings are arranged chronologically to tell the story of Sofia’s past from the Neolithic era to the date of the station’s construction. Information labels in Bulgarian and English are fortified by excellent maps that help explain Sofia’s archaeological history.
City of Serdica – History of Sofia, Bulgaria – Connolly Cove
Historical Buildings near Serdica
Around the Serdica metro station are many famous landmarks that are must-sees during your visit to Sofia. Most notable is “The Triangle of Peace,” which witnesses the existence of three worship places of three major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These buildings are the Sofia Synagogue, the Sveta Nedelya Church, and the Banya Bashi Mosque.
1. The Sofia Synagogue:
The Sofia Synagogue is the oldest in Southeastern Europe and is one of two functioning synagogues in Bulgaria, the other being in Plovdiv. Construction began in 1905 and finished in 1909. The synagogue has been home to the Jewish Museum of History since 1992, which displays exhibits on the Jewish community in Bulgaria, the Holocaust, and the Rescue of the Jews in Bulgaria.
2. Sveta Nedelya Church:
This church has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history. The originally wooden church was demolished in 1856 to start the foundations of a new church. The new church was finished in 1863 and inaugurated in 1867. After the assault of 1925, restoration works were carried out between 1927 and 1933.
3. Banya Bashi Mosque:
It is currently the only functioning mosque in Sofia, built over natural thermal spas. The steam from the spas near the mosque can be seen from outside. The famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan designed and completed the mosque in 1566.
4. St. George Church:
Close to the district of Serdica is this church, one of the oldest buildings in modern-day Sofia. The church was originally built as a Roman bath and later converted into a church during the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Experts consider the church one of the most beautiful buildings in the so-called Constantine district of Serdika-Sredets.
The church is part of an enormous archaeological complex of ancient ruins, which includes a Roman street with preserved drainage, the foundations of a large basilica, and some smaller buildings.
Food in Serdica
The old Sofia district of Serdica offers delicious meals to properly end your day of historical exploration. Some vegetarian-friendly restaurants will also accommodate their customers’ tastes. A meatless version of some traditional Bulgarian dishes is served during Christmas, such as Sarmi, cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with rice and ground meat, and Byurek Peppers, peppers stuffed with rice and ground meat.
1. Hadjidraganov’s House:
Located near the Lion’s Bridge, this restaurant has a very homey feel and affordable prices. Main dishes range from 5 Euro (10 BGN) to 13 Euro (25 BGN). A reservation is best to avoid being crowded.
2. Capo Mediterranean Restaurant:
This restaurant serves a great variety of fish and other dishes. The atmosphere is inviting, the staff is excellent, and the prices are affordable. If you’re unsure what to order, you can just ask the waiter, and they’ll help you out.
3. Edgy Veggy:
This small, cosy restaurant will quickly become one of your favourites. The food is delicious, and the manager is the sweetest person. Since the place is relatively small, most people get the takeaway food, or you can cross the street to the archaeological park and enjoy your meal. You can enjoy an Un’chikn wrap (seitan-based), a quesadilla (they use Violife cheese), or a delicious homemade burger.
4. Soul Kitchen:
Close to Eagle’s Bridge outside of downtown, this restaurant promises vegan dishes without compromising deliciousness. Soul Kitchen is perfect for a special meal as it is pricier than other vegan restaurants in the city. The restaurant offers excellent dishes, from pizza to pasta, and even some traditional vegan Bulgarian dishes! Their version of the classic Bulgarian soup Tarator is made using cashew yogurt, adding extra nuttiness.
5. Restaurant Kring:
This buffet-style restaurant is another place that offers vegetarian dishes among regular meaty dishes. The price depends on how much you eat as you pay by weight. They label everything, explaining which dishes are vegan and which aren’t. They make their tempeh and seitan, which they use in their dishes.
The historical and food scene in Serdica is very diverse and inviting; you’re guaranteed to enjoy your time in the streets of this district.
