Roman Villa Armira

The unique ancient Roman villa is situated close to the town of Ivaylovgrad. The archaeological survey in the 60ies of the 20th century discovered the remains of by-town villa. It became known as "Villa Armira", by the name of the small river, along which it was built. Villa Armira is a peculiar villa-palace, determined as unique example of Roman provincial architecture and art in South Eastern Europe due to its exceptional plan, gorgeous marble decoration and original floor mosaics. Built during the second half of the 1st century, Villa Armira is one of the earliest and richest villa complexes from the Roman age, that have been studied up-to-now in Bulgaria. It is assumed to have been erected by a prominent Thracian aristocrat. The imposing two-storey building is composed of a great number of premises – sleeping rooms, reception rooms, a hall for feasts, living rooms for the women, bathrooms etc. At the beginning of the 3rd century the villa expanded by the erection of a spacious guestroom (triclinium). Part of the building has an under-floor heating system – floor heating.