Plovdiv to begin restoring Odeon archaeological site
After nearly one year, Bulgaria’s National Institute for Cultural Heritage has issued a permit to Plovdiv municipality to begin repairing the Odeon archaeological site, a 250 000 leva project, mayor Ivan Totev said.
The Odeon archaeological site is centred on a theatre built between the second and fifth centuries CE.
In parallel with the reconstruction, during which marble seats – with seating for 200 spectators – and a soundproof wall will be installed, there will be parallel excavations in a zone behind a nearby restaurant.
The contractor plans to start work on March 15.
The development provides for an accessible environment for people with disabilities.
Totev said that repair work on Plovdiv’s Vassil Aprilov Boulevard had unearthed an archaeological find, of a wall, the second such find since one in early February. At the time, speculation was that the find was of an ancient tomb.
The municipality has concluded a framework contract worth 10 000 leva with the Archaeological Museum. A team of archaeologists is to begin immediately examining on-site archaeological finds, but this will proceed in parallel with the roadworks and will not delay the repairs.
(Photo of the Odeon archaeological site, Plovdiv: (c) Clive Leviev-Sawyer)
