The Hissar region has been an ideal area for settlement throughout the ages. Situated between the Sredna Gora hills and Thracian lowlands, the region has a favorable climate with mild winters and hot summers. Twenty-two thermal springs provide water with temperatures ranging from 37-51°C.
In 1993, Roman baths and outlying buildings dating to the third and fourth centuries A.D. were discovered in Hissar. The structures, which have been preserved up to four meters, cover an area of 1,600 square meters.
Recently, a Thracian settlement was discovered 35 kilometers west of Hissar, near the village of Krustevich. The settlement offers insight into the architecture, rituals, and daily lives of the Thracians.
Note: The well-known Thracian Cult Complex near the village of Starosel is located 10 kilometers from Krustevich. During your visit, we will tour this ancient site.
Current Archaeological Excavations
The following sites have been identified as areas where visitors could assist with excavations.
Site 1: Roman Baths
In 1993, Roman baths and outlying buildings dating to the third and fourth centuries A.D. were discovered in Hissar. The structures, which have been preserved up to four meters, cover an area of 1,600 square meters.
Structural walls were built using a system of mixed masonry. Interior walls were covered with marble, which was secured to the structure with metal bracing.
A clay piping system, which provided potable water, and artifacts from late antiquity were also discovered.
Site 2: Thracian Settlement
A Thracian settlement was recently discovered in a wooded area near the village of Krustevich.
Archaeologists believe Thracians living in this area were involved in commercial trading and in the production of metal tools. A team uncovered a canal used for sifting metals—a crucial step in the production of tools.
Currently, a building dating to the fifth century B.C. is being excavated. The foundation, which was built using stones from a nearby river, covers an area of 100 square meters. Excavated sections of the walls reach 0.40 meters and massive boulders forming a staircase lead to the center of the building.
Beyond the excavated building, archaeological surveys revealed many private residences, including servants’ quarters, existed within the settlement.
Notable artifacts were also unearthed, including unique silver coins minted on the Greek island of Thassos, fragments of clay vessels, and a spindle fashioned from an animal’s vertebra.
Perhaps the most attractive finding is a round cult object made of basalt, with markings representing the two main Thracian cults: the cult of the sun and the cult of the immortal soul.
Itinerary
8-Day Tour
Day 1
Depart Sofia for Hissar.
Accommodations
• Option 1: 3- or 4-star hotel
• Option 2: Family-run hotel
Day 2
Morning: Visit Roman archaeological sites in Hissar and Thracian archaeological sites in Starosel and Krustevich.
Afternoon: Participate in archaeological excavations at the site of your choice.
Days 3 - 4
Participate in archaeological excavations.
Day 5
Choose one of the following activities: Archaeological excavations, an excursion to the city of Plovdiv (including a visit to the Old Town and Roman amphitheater), or spa treatments using the local mineral water of Hissar.
Days 6 – 7
Participate in archaeological excavations.
Day 8
Depart Hissar for Sofia.
Price (with a minimum of three participants)
• Option 1: 1050 Euros per person
• Option 2: 918 Euros per person
The price includes: Transportation from Sofia Airport to Hissar; transportation from Hissar to Sofia Airport; seven nights accommodation with breakfast; box lunch for six days working at the excavation site; transportation to the excavation sites; necessary supplies for six days spent working at the excavation site; an English-speaking consultant who will provide information about the excavation work at the excavation site; bottled water at the excavation site; entrance fee for the Thracian tomb in Starosel; either an excursion to Plovdiv or spa treatments in Hissar; entrance fees for the Ethnographic Museum and Trakart Gallery in Plovdiv; and an English-speaking guide during the excursion to Plovdiv.
The price excludes: Airfare, dinner, and entrance fees for attractions not included in the itinerary.
Itinerary
14-Day Tour
Day 1
Depart Sofia for Hissar.
Accommodations
• Option 1: 3- or 4-star hotel
• Option 2: Family-run hotel
Day 2
Morning: Visit Roman archaeological sites in Hissar and Thracian archaeological sites in Starosel and Krustevich.
Afternoon: Participate in archaeological excavations at the site of your choice.
Days 3 - 4
Participate in archaeological excavations.
Day 5
Choose one of the following activities: Archaeological excavations, an excursion to the city of Plovdiv (including a visit to the Old Town and Roman amphitheater), or spa treatments using the local mineral water of Hissar.
Days 6 – 7
Participate in archaeological excavations.
Day 8
Visit Koprivshtitsa, a town known for its Bulgarian National Revival architecture.
Day 9, 10, & 11
Participate in archaeological excavations.
Day 12
Visit the village of Tatul, home of a Thracian rock tomb, and the village of Perperek, home of several Thracian and Byzantine excavation sites.
Day 13
Participate in archaeological excavations.
Day 14
Depart Hissar for Sofia.
Price (with a minimum of three participants)
• Option 1: 1862 Euros per person
• Option 2: 1610 Euros per person
The price includes: Transportation from Sofia Airport to Hissar; transportation from Hissar to Sofia Airport; thirteen nights accommodation with breakfast; box lunch for ten days working at the excavation site; transportation to the excavation sites; necessary supplies for ten days spent working at the excavation site; an English-speaking consultant who will provide information about the excavation work at the excavation site; bottled water at the excavation site; either an excursion to Plovdiv or spa treatments in Hissar; excursions to Koprivshtitsa, Tatul, and Perperek; entrance fee for the Ethnographic Museum and Trakart Gallery in Plovdiv; entrance fee for the museum in Koprivshtitsa; entrance fees for Tatul and Perperek; and an English-speaking guide during the excursions to Plovdiv, Koprivshtitsa, Tatul, and Perperek.
The price excludes: Airfare, dinner, and entrance fees for attractions not included in the itinerary.
Notes:
The price includes: Transportation from Sofia Airport to Hissar; transportation from Hissar to Sofia Airport; thirteen nights accommodation with breakfast; box lunch for ten days working at the excavation site; transportation to the excavation sites; necessary supplies for ten days spent working at the excavation site; an English-speaking consultant who will provide information about the excavation work at the excavation site; bottled water at the excavation site; either an excursion to Plovdiv or spa treatments in Hissar; excursions to Koprivshtitsa, Tatul, and Perperek; entrance fee for the Ethnographic Museum and Trakart Gallery in Plovdiv; entrance fee for the museum in Koprivshtitsa; entrance fees for Tatul and Perperek; and an English-speaking guide during the excursions to Plovdiv, Koprivshtitsa, Tatul, and Perperek.
The price excludes: Airfare, dinner, and entrance fees for attractions not included in the itinerary.
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