Roman City of Nicopolis ad Istrum | Veliko Tarnovo

Information

Landmark: Roman City of Nicopolis ad Istrum
City: Veliko Tarnovo
Country: Bulgaria
Continent: Europe

Roman City of Nicopolis ad Istrum, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, Europe

Nicopolis ad Istrum is a ruined Roman and early Byzantine city situated 20 km north of Veliko Tarnovo, near the village of Nikyup. Founded by Emperor Trajan around 101–106 AD, the site occupies a plateau overlooking the Rositsa and Yantra river valleys.

Visual Characteristics

The site consists of limestone ruins featuring a classic Roman orthogonal street grid (cardo and decumanus) paved with large stone slabs. Extant structures include the remains of an agora (central square) surrounded by Ionic colonnades, a small theater (odeon), a bouleuterion (council chamber), and a public bath complex. The city walls, constructed from large ashlar blocks, are approximately 3 meters thick and encompass an area of roughly 21 hectares.

Location & Access Logistics

Access the site via Road 504 from Veliko Tarnovo, heading toward the village of Nikyup. It is located 3 km north of the main E85 (Ruse-Veliko Tarnovo) highway intersection. A small asphalt road leads directly to the entrance gate, where a gravel parking area is available. Public transport is limited; the nearest railway station is 10 km away in Samovodene, making private vehicle or taxi transport the primary access method.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Emperor Trajan established the city to commemorate his victory over the Dacians. The architect is unknown, but the city was built following the model of Asia Minor urban centers. It served as a major administrative and economic hub in the province of Moesia Inferior until its destruction by the Avars and Slavs in the late 6th century.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can walk the original Roman street pavements and view the subterranean drainage system. The lapidarium contains stone inscriptions and architectural fragments with Latin and Greek text. Guided walking paths connect the agora, the theater, and the remains of the commercial shops.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The site features a small administrative building with a ticket office and basic restroom facilities. Shade is minimal throughout the ruins, as the site is largely open fields with few trees. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is stable. No food vendors operate on-site; the nearest amenities are located in the village of Nikyup, 2 km away.

Best Time to Visit

The site is best visited between May and October during daylight hours. Early morning or late afternoon provides optimal lighting for architectural photography and avoids midday heat. Spring offers the best visibility of the site layout before vegetation density increases in the summer months.

Facts & Legends

Nicopolis ad Istrum is known as the "Birthplace of Germanic Literacy." In the 4th century, the Gothic bishop Ulfilas settled here and translated the Bible from Greek into the Gothic language, creating the Gothic alphabet specifically for this purpose.