The Roman Stadium of Plovdiv, a Hadrianic Arena in the City Centre
The Roman Stadium of Plovdiv is the ancient stadium of Philippopolis, built in the early second century AD under the emperor Hadrian. It is among the best preserved Roman buildings of the Balkans, and its curved northern end, the sphendone, can be seen on Dzhumaya Square in the heart of the city. Most of the track and seating lie beneath the buildings of the main street.
A Roman stadium for up to 30,000 spectators lies under Plovdiv's busiest pedestrian street, and shop basements still show pieces of it. Only its curved northern end stands in the open.
The history of the Roman Stadium of Plovdiv
Plovdiv was known to the Romans as Philippopolis, and by the time the stadium was built in the early second century AD it was the capital of the Roman province of Thracia. The building went up under the emperor Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138. It was set within the fortified city, close to the walls, which was unusual, since most stadiums elsewhere were placed outside the walls. The builders used a natural bowl-shaped dip in the terrain between the hills Taksim Tepe and Sahat Tepe.
The stadium measured roughly 240 to 250 metres in length and 50 metres in width, and could seat up to 30,000 spectators. The running track was one stadion long, 600 Greek or 625 Roman feet, about 180 metres. The seats were arranged in 14 rows, crossed by stepped aisles leading down to the track. They were cut from solid marble blocks, and the fronts were carved with stylised lion paws. The lowest row was faced with massive marble plates 1.8 metres high, and the top row had backrests. Seats of honour were marked with Greek inscriptions, showing that places were reserved for people of high public standing.
The main entrance was framed by masonry pillars clad in marble pilasters. Their reliefs show busts of Hermes with prize vases topped by palm branches, and the attributes of Heracles: his lion skin, club and quiver. In front of the entrance lay a pavement of hexagonal granite blocks. The outer walls were built of granite ashlars, some marked with letters, and the marble elements were tied together with iron clamps set in lead. Under the curved seating ran a vaulted passage that linked the track with a Roman road next to the city walls.
The stadium was a stage for festive games. Inscriptions and coins show that contests modelled on the Pythian Games of Greece were held in the city. When the emperor Caracalla visited in 214, the games were called Alexandrian, and for Elagabalus in 218 they became the Kedrisian Games. The provincial assembly of Thrace organised them, and the local mint struck coins with the ruling emperor and scenes of athletic events. A marble slab found in the sphendone proves that games were also held in honour of Antinous, the favourite of Hadrian. Athletes competed in two age groups, men and boys, and the games began with a contest for heralds and trumpeters, often joined by music, poetry and art competitions.
In the fourth century AD a Roman aqueduct crossed the area, and a section of the city wall, built in the second century and repaired in the third and fourth, was uncovered beside the passage. Over the centuries the stadium vanished beneath the growing city. It was rediscovered in 1923, and about half a century later the archaeologist Liliya Botusharova led more thorough excavations. In 1995 it was listed as a cultural value of national significance, and in 2010 to 2013 the area around it was renovated, including a new information centre, a café-bar and a small cinema.
Curious facts about the Roman Stadium of Plovdiv
- Most of the stadium still lies under the main pedestrian street, and parts of it can be seen in the basements of several shops.
- It was unusually built inside the fortified city, close to the walls, while most Roman stadiums stood outside.
- The marble seats have fronts carved as stylised lion paws, and the top row had backrests.
- The entrance pillars carry busts of Hermes and symbols of Heracles: a lion skin, a club and a quiver.
- Games here were named “Alexandrian” for a visit by Caracalla in 214 and “Kedrisian” for a visit by Elagabalus in 218.
- A votive tablet for games in honour of Antinous, found in the excavations, is now displayed in the Plovdiv Regional Archaeological Museum.
Tours near Plovdiv Roman Stadium
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting the Roman Stadium of Plovdiv: what to expect
- The curved northern end, the sphendone, is on view at Dzhumaya Square, right beside the Dzhumaya Mosque.
- Most of the arena runs south beneath the buildings of the main pedestrian street, with fragments visible in the basements of some shops.
- The renovated area includes a terrace with an information centre, a café-bar and a small cinema screening films about Plovdiv; check what is open on the day.
- A 3D reconstruction and virtual tour are available on the official website of the ancient sites of Plovdiv.
- The stadium is a short walk from the Dzhumaya Mosque and the Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis; check the current opening hours before you go.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Plovdiv Roman Stadium is
Photos of Plovdiv Roman Stadium
Questions
What is the Roman Stadium of Plovdiv?
It is the ancient stadium of Philippopolis, as Plovdiv was called in Roman times. It was built in the early second century AD under the emperor Hadrian and could hold up to 30,000 spectators.
Where is the Roman Stadium in Plovdiv?
It lies in the city centre, under the main pedestrian street. The curved northern end is visible on Dzhumaya Square.
How much of the Roman Stadium of Plovdiv can you see?
The northern curved part, the sphendone, is exposed and partly restored. The larger part still lies beneath the buildings, with some sections visible in shop basements.
How big was the stadium?
It was about 240 to 250 metres long and 50 metres wide. The track measured one stadion, around 180 metres, and the seats rose in 14 rows.
What games were held at the Philippopolis stadium?
Games modelled on the Greek Pythian Games, named Alexandrian in 214 and Kedrisian in 218 after imperial visits. Athletes competed as men and boys, and the games included music, poetry and art contests.
When was the Roman Stadium of Plovdiv discovered?
It was found in 1923, with larger excavations about fifty years later. It was listed as a cultural value of national significance in 1995.
Also nearby
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Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis
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