Constantine the Great’s Palace to be Displayed in Bulgaria’s Capital
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The palace, called by historians Constantine’s city residence, was built in the Roman town of Serdika, the predecessor of present-day Sofia. According to historical accounts, Serdika was the favourite town of Constantine (who was born in Niš, in present-day Serbia) and he even intended to move there the Empire’s capital from Rome, reportedly having said “Serdika is my Rome.”
According to historical accounts, Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor, came to Serdika many times and spent many months in his palace. In the fourth century, it spread over an entire neighbourhood of the city, roughly located between the present-day streets Kaloyan, Pozitano, Lege and south of the Presidency, where the Sheraton Hotel now stands.
In the thirteenth century, what survived of the imperial palace was turned into the city residence of the Byzantine feudal lord Sevastokrator Kaloyan.
According to Dikov, it is possible that the remains of the palace could be displayed underneath a glass covering. The square of the Sheraton Hotel will become a pedestrian zone, and the parking lot that currently occupies it will be closed down.
Opening photograph: 2000 years old anicent street between the Saint Georgi rotonda church and the remains of Costantin the Great's palace
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excellent smugs