With the Museum of Mosaics, Devnya offers a clear focus for a culture-oriented trip: it displays Roman and Early Byzantine mosaics from ancient Marcianopolis. Archaeological remains, the Pobiti Kamani protected area, and the ethnographic collection in Kipra add different perspectives to the theme. You can plan your stay around your particular interest in ancient art, landscapes, or local traditions.
Mosaics and the History of Marcianopolis
The museum was built over the foundations of a large Late Roman villa urbana, uncovered during archaeological excavations. Five rooms and the portico of the ancient building are covered with multicoloured floor mosaics. They are considered some of the finest examples of Roman mosaic art of their time found in Bulgaria. Three mosaics are displayed in situ, in the rooms where they were discovered; the others have been conserved and transferred to new supports.
The Seasons Mosaic brings together allegories of the four seasons. The bust of Autumn has also been preserved, depicted as a young woman wearing a gold-woven garment. Another mosaic shows Athena’s shield with the severed head of Medusa. The motif was intended to protect the household from evil. Other exhibits include models of ancient Marcianopolis, its amphitheatre and the mosaic building, as well as pottery, lamps, and a sundial found during excavations. The museum is listed as Site No. 10 in Bulgaria’s national movement, the “100 National Tourist Sites.”
Archaeological finds outside the museum also offer insight into the ancient city. Excavations in Devnya have brought to light an ancient amphitheatre, sections of the fortification walls of Marcianopolis, necropolises, temple remains, and residential and public buildings. The Marcianopolis gold treasure was discovered during investigations from 2019 to 2023 at a Late Antique building that burned down during the great Hun invasion of 447. The treasure comprises 20 gold solidi minted in the name of the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II; the coins are described as 24-karat and exceptionally well preserved.
Another find is the silver treasure discovered in Devnya in 1929, containing more than 100,000 Roman silver coins. It is now represented in the archaeological museums of Sofia and Varna. If you are planning a specific visit, check in advance where the items in question are currently on display.
Landscape and Pobiti Kamani
The city of Devnya lies in a small valley framed by low limestone hills, the final slopes of the Balkan Mountains, and the Dobrudzha Plateau. To the east, the valley opens towards Lake Beloslav and the sea. Part of Lake Beloslav lies in the southeastern part of the municipality; the Devnya River valley runs from north to southeast.
The Pobiti Kamani protected area extends across the municipalities of Aksakovo, Beloslav, Devnya, and Suvorovo. Its limestone columns are arranged in 14 groups. They reach 5 to 6 metres in height and 0.5 to 2.5 metres in thickness; the material is calcareous sandstone containing fossils. Pobiti Kamani is part of the Natura 2000 network and protects Bulgaria’s largest inland sand habitats, with their characteristic flora, vegetation, and fauna.
Several groups are accessible by car, while the others can be reached via footpaths; an information centre is located in the Centre–South group. Check access points and visitor facilities before setting out. The autumn bird migration period is considered especially suitable for birdwatching tourism.
Traditions and Folklore in Kipra and Devnya
The collection at the ethnographic house in Kipra comprises around 200 exhibits relating to local life and culture. These include looms, spinning equipment, bread-making tools, textiles, and seven traditional costumes. The exhibition also covers wedding customs from the early 20th century. A notable item is the “Camel” ritual mask, used in the local tradition of masked New Year performers.
Demonstrations of kneading, stretching, and preparing banitsa, as well as drawing wine and rakia from the house cellar, can be arranged at the house. A staged Thracian wedding can also be presented as a visitor experience. Confirm the availability of these activities in advance.
The Devnya Folklorna Palitra Festival presents folklore traditions from various Bulgarian ethnographic regions across three stages. The competition includes folk dances, choreographed horo dances, authentic folklore groups, partner dancing, singing groups, and soloists. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the dates and programme in advance.
Discover more destinations: Kipra, Byala, Provadia, Valchi Dol, Beloslav, Dolni Chiflik, Varna, Vetrino.
View the broader travel guide: Varna Province.
