The Plovdiv Forum Complex

A new city structure plan was prepared for Plovdiv, then known as Philipopolis, not later than in 1 century AD. The city was planned to have a center after the Roman pattern, which was discovered in the 70s of XX century in the heart of Plovdiv. Situated on both sides of the Central Post Office, the forum complex consists of two parts – the Ancient Forum and the Odeum. The Forum is the biggest forum complex on the territory of Bulgaria. The administrative, economic, cultural and religious life was focused on it. Meetings, debates, celebrations, state doings took place on the Forum. The Odeum is situated in the Northwest corner of the complex. The Ancient Odeum with its 300-350 seats, is one of the latest archaeological findings in Plovdiv. It posses all elements of a covered theatrical building and has performed as a site for the city council of Philipopolis. During its exploration the archaeologists discovered marble fragments from the building, signing from a pedestal of an imperial statue, a gallery with preserved ancient walls, original marble semi-pylons, as well as 87 silver coins, most probably hidden during the Gothic Invasion.