Thracian dome tomb in Pomorie

The Thracian dome tomb in Pomorie is unique to the Balkan Peninsula. Archaeologists date it at the end of the III and the beginning of the IV century AD. For this reason, it is defined as the latest representative of the Thracian tombs for the territory of Bulgaria. Also, it is the most massive Thracian tomb in Bulgaria.

Where is the Thracian dome tomb in Pomorie – map



Its location is at the beginning of the town of Pomorie, near the newly built Aqua Park. So, on the road, as shown in the picture, in the direction of Burgas – Pomorie, turn on the left. After driving 250 m along an asphalt road will reach the tomb. In case of significant traffic, can avoid the dangerous turning on the left if you continue around 200 m along the way where there is a roundabout (just opposite the Aqua Park). There you can safely reverse.

The place on the road Burgas-Pomorie where you have to turn left for the Thracian tomb
The place on the road Burgas-Pomorie where you have to turn left for the Thracian tomb

The road to the Thracian dome tomb
The asphalt road after the turnpike, passing the vineyard and fruit growing field. After 250 m you reach a parking space in front of the Thracian tomb
The Thracian dome tomb in a view from the outside with restored vestibules
The Thracian dome tomb in a view from the outside with restored vestibules

It is popular among the locals as “Kuhata mogila” ( “The Hollow Mound” in translation).

The tomb consists of a dromos (corridor) 22 metres long and a round cell with a diameter of 22.60 metres, covered with a mound. The cell and the dromos were built with bricks and stone, that are soldered with mortar mixed with crushed bricks.

The corridor to the round cell - dromos
The corridor to the round cell – dromos
Plan of the tomb

The hollow column

In the centre of the cell, there is a hollow column with an opening at the top. For this reason, sunlight passes through this opening and illuminates the chamber. Probably, on the inside of the hollow column, once, there was a spiral staircase leading to the top.

Pomorie ladnamrks - Thracian dome tomb
The hollow column

At the place where the column reaches the dome, it expands similar to a sponge so that it can bear the full weight of the mound piled on top. As a matter of fact, this architectural solution is unique and unparalleled in its time. As a result, the construction has been stable for more than 1600 years.

There are five niches located on the outer circular wall that are supposed housed urns in the past.

 The round cell with niches that once housed urns with the dust of the dead
The round cell with niches that once housed urns with the dust of the dead
A look from the cell to the dromos
A look from the cell to the dromos

The Thracian dome tomb at Pomorie – the mausoleum of the last Thracian rulers

Footsteps on the entrance step are indicative of the presence of an entrance gate that was opened repeatedly. This circumstance, together with the two vestibules, which are now entirely renovated, probably intended for guards, give reasons for archaeologists to believe that the facility was not only a tomb but also a sanctuary. It is a so-called heroon. Here Thracians performed ritual activities related to the cult of the dead – perhaps a wealthy family that had lived in Pomorie or a Thracian royal dynasty.

The tomb is open for visitation between April and October with a working Time – 9.00.-17.00 from Tuesday to Sunday, and Monday is a day off. During the rest of the year, it works only by prior request, for contacts call from Monday to Friday on 0596 / 2-20-08 – Pomorie History Museum.

In case you are planning a more extended stay in the area, it is a good idea to choose Pomorie as a city for staying. There are many hotels and lodgings and can offer many entertainments to diversify your Holliday at the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast.

Continue of the walk

In Pomorie you can also visit:

  1. Hiking trail around the Pomorie Lake and the sea
  2. Pomorie Lake Information Centre where can watch birds with provided binoculars

Besides, the nearest fascinating cities with landmarks are:

  1. Nessebar (20 km to the north) with its unique old atmosphere and many preserved historical buildings
  2. St. Vlas (25 km to the north), which has a mountain hiking trail with sea views. The path has different branches, and one of them leads to the resort village of Elenite
  3. The regional city of Burgas (20 km to the south) and Poda Bird Watch Center (30 km)

USEFUL: To get a quick and easy idea of ​​where these places are – see the destinations marked on our Google map. There all the landmarks we’ve written about, are marked as tags with links.

To plan your trip to them, you can use the selection of assistive tools: Google Road Map with calculator in km, flights to Bulgaria, rental cars, weather forecast, hotel search, timetables of buses in the region.

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