EditBulgaria’s Heraclea Sintica reveals treasures after restoration
The ancient city dating back from Thracian times, one of the Balkans’ most captivating archaeological sites, shines with its Hellenistic and Roman legacy
The ancient city of Heraclea Sintica, located near the Bulgarian town of Petrich, continues to astonish archaeologists and historians alike. On 5 August, a second marble statue, discovered during excavations at the site, was officially presented after undergoing over eight months of intricate restoration and conservation work.
Heraclea Sintica, founded in the 4th century BC in the territory of the Thracian Sinti tribe, carries the name of the mythical hero Heracles (Hercules), revered as the progenitor of the Macedonian royal dynasty. The city played a strategic role in the northeastern reaches of the ancient Macedonian kingdom and later under Roman rule, enjoying imperial patronage from figures like Octavian Augustus.
After decades of scholarly debate over its exact location, a Latin-inscribed marble slab discovered in 2002 confirmed the site as Heraclea Sintica. The inscription, a letter from Emperors Galerius and Maximinus Daza dating back to 307-308 AD, addressed the city’s citizens and their plea to restore their lost municipal rights.
Systematic excavations began in 2007, under the leadership of Professor Lyudmil Vagalinski and the Historical Museum of Petrich. Archaeological research has revealed that Heraclea Sintica boasted a sophisticated urban layout, vibrant socio-economic life, and a rich cultural heritage.
The latest find, a marble statue of a young man, adds to the site’s impressive collection. The statue was transported to the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) in December 2024, where restorer Reneta Karamanova led the meticulous conservation efforts. The process faced significant challenges, including numerous cracks along the statue’s legs and structural elements, which necessitated the use of advanced carbon reinforcement rods imported from Italy.
The statue’s head, found separately, has now been reattached, revealing the full image of a youthful male figure. Although younger by approximately 150 years than the first statue unearthed at Heraclea Sintica, this piece rivals it in craftsmanship and aesthetic value. The first statue, depicting the grandson of Octavian Augustus represented as the god Hermes, was already restored and displayed in Petrich’s museum.
“These are among the earliest sculptures of their kind in Bulgaria. Their presence enriches the cultural narrative not only of the region but of the entire country,” professor Vagalinski noted.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, attending the unveiling of the restored statue in Sofia, praised the relentless work of Bulgarian archaeologists. He highlighted how major infrastructure projects, such as the vertical gas corridor, have inadvertently facilitated archaeological discoveries, unearthing treasures that had remained hidden for centuries.
Heraclea Sintica continues to captivate visitors with its well-preserved urban structures, laid out according to the Hippodamian grid plan. The archaeological team’s philosophy has been to preserve the site’s authenticity, with minimal reconstruction, ensuring that what is displayed remains true to its ancient origins.
Following its presentation in Sofia, the second statue will return to Petrich at the end of September, where it will become a centerpiece in the city’s Historical Museum, further establishing Heraclea Sintica as a cultural landmark of the Balkans.
Caption: Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov [L]attended the unveiling of the restored statue in Sofia. For the first time during the archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Heraclea Sintika an entire marble sculpture was discovered, which is over two meters and dated from the 2nd century AD. [Council of Ministers]
Updated: August 6, 2025 - 07:04
