Medieval church found during subway construction

Published on March 23rd, 2010 | by Sevaan Franks

Excavation of a subway line in Bulgaria has revealed a 12th-century church as well as other buildings dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries.

The new findings, located right next to the TZUM department store, include the remains of a church with preserved murals dating back to the twelfth century, the remains of early medieval buildings dating to the fifth and sixth centuries and several medieval graves.

Stating he was impressed with the discoveries, Rashidov said that the authorities have to do whatever is needed in order to preserve them.

According to Goryanova, a temporary shelter must be constructed in order to preserve the finds.

There are, according to archaeologist Mario Ivanov, two ways to preserve the discoveries – either by taking them out of the site and placing them in a museum, or by keeping them on their original spot and putting the metro line deeper below them.

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Tags: Buildings, Bulgaria, Church, Construction, Graves, Medieval, Subway