Sveshtari tomb

The most significant discovery on the territory of the historical and archeological reserve "Sboryanovo" is the Sveshtari Thracian royal tomb. It was found in 1982 during excavations of Mound №7 from the Eastern mound necropolis of Sboryanovo (Ginina mound). It was built in the first quarter of the third century BC. and is a unique monument of Thracian cemetery architecture. It has impressive dimensions. Its length is 7.5 m, the width of the facade is 6.5 m, and the height of the tomb chamber (inside) is 4.45 m. The tomb is built of large limestone blocks. It consists of a dromos (corridor) and three chamber rooms, each chamber being covered with a separate vault.

The decoration of the tomb is in the spirit of Hellenistic culture, but refracted through the views and beliefs of the Getae (Thracian tribe). The body of the dead ruler was placed in the chamber. The unfinished decoration on the walls and ceiling shows that he died before his eternal home was completed. The ceiling of the chamber is supported by statues of women with raised hands - caryatids, whose faces and hair still preserve the remnants of colored ornaments. A scene of deification of the ruler is depicted on the ceiling.

Thanks to its remarkable architecture and artistic decoration, the Sveshtari Tomb has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.