The Sveshtari royal tomb
The Sveshtari royal tomb ( end of 4th- beginning of the 3rd c. B.C.), unearthed in 1982 is one of the most sensational discoveries in the field of the Thracian archaeology and the Hellenistic architecture. It was included in 1985 in the UNESCO World Heritage list. It has three chambers covered by independent semi-cylindrical vaults.
The burial chamber demonstrates a unique architectural decoration in real Doric style, combined with sculptural decoration of 10 caryatides images of the Mother Goddess in high relief and a painted scene on the lunette showing the deification of the king-horseman A royal couple had been buried there. A triple stone door in front of the funeral bed of the king is considered to be the predecessor of the later altar walls of the Christian churches.
The naiskos is also the only one known till now which is an archaeological reality. After a strong earthquake it had been reused in 3rd c. B.C.
In 2000 The Sveshtari tomb was opened for visiting. It is protected by a special monumental construction, isolating the monument from the environment. The temperature and the microclimate are under permanent automated control.
