The Roman Tomb in Silistra, a Painted Chamber of Late Antiquity
The Roman Tomb of Silistra is a small underground burial chamber of the ancient city of Durostorum, in the Danube town of Silistra in north-eastern Bulgaria. Its walls and floor are covered with frescoes, making it the best-preserved architectural monument of the Roman city. For fans of late antique art it is one of the most important and most discussed monuments in Bulgaria.
A wealthy family of ancient Durostorum had this tomb painted in rich colours, with servants bringing gifts to their masters, yet it seems nobody was ever buried inside.
The history of the Roman Tomb in Silistra
Silistra stands on the southern bank of the lower Danube, in the historical region of Dobruja, and in Roman times the city on this spot was called Durostorum. Of the buildings of that city, the tomb is the best preserved. It belongs to a necropolis of Late Antiquity, and the ruins of other similar structures lie around it, a reminder that the family who ordered the tomb was one of several prosperous households of the town.
The tomb dates to the 4th century. Although the influence of Christianity had already reached Silistra by then, the paintings are clearly pagan art, commissioned by a pagan owner. For this reason scholars consider it likely that the tomb was made before the persecution of Roman paganism under Emperor Theodosius I. Its construction probably also came before the Gothic invasion of Durostorum in 376–378, which caused great turmoil in the city. Polish sources add that the tomb was built and painted for a distinguished citizen of Durostorum but was in the end never used.
One explanation offered for the empty chamber is that the invasion made the family shown on the wall flee the city, which would explain why no burials were found. Others have studied the tomb for decades because of the quality and range of its paintings, and it has been described as one of the most investigated and most discussed monuments of late antique art in Bulgaria and the Balkans.
The tomb came to light by chance in 1942, on the southern outskirts of Silistra. The town had only just been handed back by Romania to Bulgaria under the Treaty of Craiova of 1940. In 1984 the Roman Tomb of Silistra was entered on the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
The structure itself is modest in size. It is a stone chamber measuring 3.30 by 2.60 metres, oriented west to east, with the entrance in the east wall and a semi-cylindrical brick vault. Rectangular ceramic plates painted in the fresco-secco technique cover the floor. Unlike most other known Roman tombs of the period in the Balkans, the whole interior is covered with multi-coloured paintings. A procession of servants runs along the north, south and east walls, while the west wall, opposite the entrance, shows the master and his wife. A frieze of 11 panels portrays male and female servants bringing gifts and garments, and the decoration also includes hunting scenes, candlesticks, plants, peacocks and pigeons.
Curious facts about the Roman Tomb in Silistra
- The tomb seems never to have received a burial, even though it was built and decorated for a distinguished citizen of Durostorum.
- Even the floor is painted: rectangular ceramic plates decorated in fresco-secco cover it from wall to wall.
- A frieze of 11 panels shows servants carrying gifts and garments towards the master and his wife, who face the visitor from the west wall.
- Most Roman tombs of the period in the Balkans are not painted over the entire interior, which makes this one stand out.
- It was found by pure coincidence in 1942, just after Silistra returned to Bulgaria under the Treaty of Craiova.
- Peacocks and pigeons, hunting scenes and candlesticks are among the motifs on its walls and vault.
Tours near Roman Tomb in Silistra
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting the Roman Tomb in Silistra
- The tomb stands at the crossing of Sedmi Septemvri and Boyka Voyvoda streets in Silistra.
- Because of the fragile paintings, visits are possible only by prior arrangement with the Regional Historical Museum of Silistra, and may depend on the weather, so ask before you travel.
- The chamber is small, about 3.3 by 2.6 metres, so expect a short but concentrated look at the frescoes.
- Silistra also has the remains of a medieval fortress and an Ottoman fort, which fit easily into the same day.
- Check the current visiting conditions before you go; this guide does not list opening hours.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Roman Tomb in Silistra is
Questions
What is the Roman Tomb in Silistra?
It is a late Roman burial chamber of the ancient city of Durostorum, dating to the 4th century. Its interior is covered with well-preserved frescoes.
Where is the Roman Tomb in Silistra?
It is in the town of Silistra on the Danube, at the crossing of Sedmi Septemvri and Boyka Voyvoda streets.
Can you visit the Roman Tomb in Silistra?
Yes, but only after a prior reservation at the Regional Historical Museum of Silistra, and visits may depend on the weather for conservation reasons.
What do the paintings in the Roman Tomb show?
A procession of male and female servants brings gifts to the master and his wife, shown on the west wall. There are also hunting scenes, candlesticks, plants, peacocks and pigeons.
Was anyone buried in the Roman Tomb in Silistra?
No burials were found. One explanation is that the family fled during the Gothic invasion of 376–378, and Polish sources say the tomb was in the end not used.
Is the Roman Tomb in Silistra a UNESCO site?
It has been on UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites since 1984, which is a preliminary step and not a full inscription.
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