Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari

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Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari
State Party	Bulgaria
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, iii
Reference	359
Region†	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	1985 (9 Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

The Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari is situated 2,5 km southwest of the village of Sveshtari, Razgrad Province, which is located 42 km northeast of Razgrad, in the northeast of Bulgaria.

Discovered in 1982 in a mound, this 3rd century BC Thracian tomb reflects the fundamental structural principles of Thracian cult buildings. The tomb's architectural decor is considered to be unique, with polychrome half-human, half-plant caryatids and painted murals. The ten female figures carved in high relief on the walls of the central chamber and the decorations of the lunette in its vault are the only examples of this type found so far in the Thracian lands. It is a remarkable reminder of the culture of the Getae, a Thracian people who were in contact with the Hellenistic and Hyperborean worlds, according to ancient geographers.

[edit] References

Alexander Fol, M. Čičikova, T. Ivanov, T. Teofilov: The Thracian Tomb near the Village of Sveshtari, Sofia 1986.
Alexander Fol: Die thrakische Orphik oder Zwei Wege zur Unsterblichkeit, in: Die Thraker. Das goldene Reich des Orpheus, Ausstellung 23. Juli bis 28. November 2004, Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Zabern, Mainz 2004, p. 177-186.

v • d • e World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria

Boyana Church · Madara Rider · Nesebar (Nessebar) · Pirin National Park · Rila Monastery · Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo · Srebarna Nature Reserve · Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak · Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari