The ruins of the Roman amphitheater in the Bulgarian capital Sofia - a famous archaeological site in the heart of the modern city. Serdika - the ancient name of Sophia, the amphitheater was three hundred meters from the east gate of the ancient city.

The complex, which consists of several unique ancient buildings Ages 2-3 (theater and amphitheater), was discovered by chance in 2004, during the construction of the hotel. But much earlier - in 1919 - there was found a stone slab on which was the scene of gladiatorial combat.

The theater was built here before - in the late second - early third century. It was a building, which is a semi-circular wide space with a few rows of brick facing east. It was lined with sand and river stones and called "orhestra" - a theater stage. As a result of archaeological research it has been established the age of the theater - on coins, medallions and ceramics dating back to the Emperors Caracalla and Geta. The theater existed until about 270, when the Goths destroyed it during the invasion of Serdika.

At the end of the 3rd century on the ruins of the theater was built amphitheater - a special building for public meetings, gladiatorial combat, military processions. After a couple of decades amphitheater we renovated and expanded. However, at the end of the 4th century, as a result of the reform of Theodosius I against the pagan cults and games, an amphitheater gradually fell into disrepair. Before the 7th century the construction of the amphitheater was used as a warehouse, stables, barns and camp for Byzantine soldiers.

Roman amphitheater in Sofia - the monument to the 77th of its kind in the world, the size of the amphitheater bring it to the Coliseum (length construction and sixty and a half meters, width - forty-three meters). The unique combination of the ancient monument of making theater and amphitheater in one place.

The ruins are available to visit, today it is possible to see not only the ruins of ancient buildings, but the archaeological finds discovered in the area. The study of this unique ancient complex is now due to stop funding terminated. On the ruins it was built the notorious five-star hotel "Arena di Serdica".