AN INN FROM THIRD CENTURY DISCOVERED IN THE CENTRE OF PLOVDIV

Archeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient inn in the centre of the second largest Bulgarian city of Plovdiv. 200 coins, glasses and clay cups were found.

The find was made during excavations of an impressive building for its time, which had an ancient toilet equipped with urinal.

The discovery of the inn is an evidence that in those times the residents of Plovdiv enjoyed a luxurious life and spent time having fun and entertainment.

The room for various games was with coloured glass to protect visitors from the hot sun and the walls had two coats of plaster. The place may appear to be the first casino in Bulgaria. Archeologist Zheni Tankova says that a large amount of pools made of clay and marble were revealed, which suggests they were used for board games, checkers and chess.

The ancient toilet called “laterina” is in better condition than some modern analogues, she added and said that it was equipped with urinal to be used by the soldiers who came back tired from crusades.

The reveal of the inn shows that the place was part of the commercial and cultural centre of the Philippopolis (the old name for Plovdiv, named after Philip II of Macedon, who was Alexander the Great’s father). This is also the location of the house of the courtesan with a painted bathroom. Next to it is the Roman bath, similar to the baths of Pompeii. The first antique temple of the ancient city and over 200 terracotta figures of Greek-Roman Gods were discovered nearby.

Marble heads of deities from Asia and Upper Egypt are evidence about the relations of Philippopolis with the East.