Roman Wall

Sofia, Bulgaria

The Roman Wall is the popular but incorrect name for an early Ottoman-era architectural monument in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Part of a 16th or 17th-century Islamic religious building, it now stands in the middle of a small marketplace in the Lozenets neighbourhood.

The Roman Wall is a rectangular structure of straight rows of bricks and stones. It exhibits a characteristic Ottoman construction method of surrounding the large cut stones with sets of bricks. The wall is situated with an east–west orientation and features two windows, with a mihrab niche in between. A notched brick cornice decorates the top of the wall.

The Roman Wall was built in the 16th or 17th century, the time of the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria. The wall's exact purpose is unclear, though it is agreed that it performed an Islamic religious function. It may either be the preserved part of an eminent Ottoman Turk's tomb, or it may have formed part of a namazgâh, an open-air religious structure where the imam would perform a prayer for those embarking on the Hajj.

In the late 19th century, after the reestablishment of the Principality of Bulgaria in 1878, the Old Wall remained as a lone marker in the abandoned Turkish graveyard. In 1957, the wall underwent a reconstruction and was enlisted as a monument of culture.

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Address

Nerazdelni 16, Sofia, Bulgaria
See all sites in Sofia

Details

Founded: 16th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Bulgaria

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Vladimir Todorov (2 years ago)
You can find good natural food products for direct consumption and cooking.
WONDERWALL (2 years ago)
Like the rest of the Roman sites, its very interesting. Every Saturday they have a farmers market.
Hans Johnson (3 years ago)
Worth a stop. The plaque here says the wall is Turkish rather than Roman in origin.
Gaye Blain (3 years ago)
Not quite as grand as expected but nice to walk around and get off the beaten track
Noel Nugteren (4 years ago)
What an amazing place! The tables outside are cozily positioned around the Roman wall. We were concerned about the upcoming rain, but the terrace was covered well enough to not be bothered by it. The seafood is outstanding and freshly imported. Small note: The place itself has no toilets, but asking the personnel for a coin to the (fairly clean!) public toilet 5m away takes care of that. Can pay by cash or card/(phone)chip. Certainly going back there again!
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