The Stadium of Philippopolis was the ancient Roman stadium of Philippopolis, built in the 2nd century AD, during the Roman imperial period. It is among the largest and best preserved buildings from the time of the Roman Empire in the Balkan peninsula.
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Great place. essing eastwards along the Via Diagonalis, the Roman highway connecting Central Europe and the Bosporus. He was after a dream. Muscular in appearance, brutal in character and in his 20s, Caracalla believed to be a reborn Alexander the Great. He was eager to repeat his predecessor's military success in the East and was planning a war against the Partian Empire, one of the many reincarnation of Persia.
His thrust, however, was halted as all cities on the route tried to please him, and he gladly succumbed into the pleasures on offer. Philippopolis was one of those.
The great and prosperous Thracian city greeted the sovereign with gifts, girls and feasts, minted a special coin emission with Caracalla's portrait on it and organized sport games in his honor. The two-day extravaganza featured contests in pankration(type of martial art); pentathlon, which combined long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, sprint and wrestling; and also competitions in wrestling, boxing and long-distance running. There were contests in poetry reciting, singing and even heralding. The best athletes from the East arrived to compete although, in the best tradition of respectable sport games, the winners would be awarded with wreaths and fame only. What should have pleased vain Caracalla more that anything else, however, is that the council named the games after him - Pythian Alexandrian Games. The "Alexandrian" part was reflecting Caracalla's obsession with...
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⭐ Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis – A Fascinating Journey into History
Visiting the Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis is an incredible experience for history lovers and curious travelers alike. The well-preserved ruins offer a glimpse into the grandeur of Roman-era Plovdiv, with impressive stone seating and the stadium’s original layout still visible.
The site is clean, informative, and thoughtfully maintained, with clear signage that helps you understand the historical significance. It’s amazing to stand where thousands once cheered on athletic events centuries ago.
Located in the heart of Plovdiv, it’s easily accessible and perfect for a quick cultural stop during your city exploration.
Overall: A must-see landmark that beautifully connects the present with the ancient past. Highly recommended for anyone visiting...
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The center of Plovdiv sits over the ancient ruins of Philipopolis and the Ancient Stadium is just a small portion of the excavated complex. The stadium is right next to the Djumaya mosque and the visible part of a non-excavated hiphodroome. There used to be a nice cafe here overlooking the ruins, before the site was devoted to its historic significance. The remaining portion of the hiphodroome runs to the post office building on the opposite side of the main walking street, where one can see the ruins of the Episcopal palace. There is a working elevator at the side of the Djumaya mosque to the ground level and a video explaining the layout of the stadium in ancient times. Not to be confused with the working Ancient Theater at just a short walking distance in...
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