Aleksandrovo Tomb
Haskovo
The Aleksandrovo Tomb, located near the village of Aleksandrovo in Haskovo Province, Bulgaria, is an ancient Thracian burial mound dating back to the early 4th century BCE. Discovered accidentally in 2000, the tomb features a dromos corridor, a rectangular antechamber, and a round burial chamber with a bell-shaped vault. Its walls are adorned with exceptional frescoes illustrating hunting scenes, funerary feasts, and mythological figures, including a naked man wielding a double-axe, symbolizing royal power and possibly representing the Thracian solar god Zalmoxis. The tomb reflects the cultural transition influenced by Greek art, visible in the depiction of clothing and accessories. Although the original tomb is preserved and closed to visitors, an exact replica is exhibited at the Museum Center of Thracian Art in the Rhodope Mountains, showcasing the vivid Thracian artistic heritage. This site, alongside the museum, was honored with the European Heritage Label in 2021, marking it as a significant cultural landmark in Bulgaria.
Planifiez votre voyage en Bulgarie avec l'IA
Créez un itinéraire détaillé en quelques minutes. L'IA suggère les meilleurs endroits, restaurants et un itinéraire optimisé.
Astuce: Visitors are encouraged to explore the exact replica of the tomb at the Museum Center of Thracian Art in the Rhodope Mountains, as the original site is closed to the public. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when the weather is mild. Booking tickets in advance for the museum is recommended. Discounts may be available for students and seniors. Guided tours can enhance understanding of the frescoes and Thracian culture.
Faits intéressants
- •The frescoes depict a hunting scene where a boar is attacked by a mounted hunter and a naked man wielding a double-axe, symbolizing royal power and the Thracian solar god Zalmoxis.
- •A graffito inscribed with the Thracian name Kozemases was found inside the tomb, possibly naming the tomb's patron or its artist.
- •The tomb's frescoes show Greek artistic influence, with changes in clothing and accessories such as Greek footwear replacing traditional boots.
- •The Museum Center of Thracian Art in the Rhodope Mountains houses an exact replica of the tomb, allowing visitors to experience the frescoes without damaging the original site.
- •The Aleksandrovo Tomb and the museum center were awarded the European Heritage Label in 2021, the first Bulgarian sites to receive this honor.
Histoire
The Aleksandrovo Tomb was accidentally discovered in December 2000 by earth-moving machinery near the village of Aleksandrovo.
Bulgarian archaeologist Georgi Kitov led the rescue excavation in 2001, revealing the tomb's architectural complexity and remarkable frescoes.
The tomb is dated to the early 4th century BCE and is believed to have belonged to a Thracian king or noble aristocrat.
Over time, the tomb suffered looting, damaging some frescoes, but its artistic and cultural significance remains unparalleled among Thracian burial sites.
In 2009, a museum center was established to house an exact replica, preserving the heritage and making it accessible to the public.
Guide du lieu
Dromos Corridor4th century BCE
The 10-meter-long entrance corridor leading into the tomb, transitioning from an open passage to the enclosed burial chambers, setting the stage for the funerary rituals.
Rectangular Antechamber4th century BCE
A rectangular room following the dromos, decorated with frescoes depicting hunting scenes and funerary feasts, reflecting Thracian beliefs about the afterlife.
Round Burial Chamber4th century BCE
The main circular chamber with a bell-shaped vault, richly decorated with frescoes including the notable hunting scene with a mounted hunter, a naked man with a double-axe, and a boar.
Contact
Téléphone: 038 666 444