The Roman Stadium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is one of the largest and best-preserved buildings from the time of Ancient Rome in the Balkan Peninsula. The approximately 240 m long and 50 m wide system could accommodate up to 30,000 spectators.
The Stadium of Philippoppol was built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. It is located at the northern end of the fortified city, between two fortress walls, in the natural area between the western slope of Taksim Tepe and the eastern slope of Sahat Tepe.
The approximately 240-meter-long and 50-meter-wide facility can accommodate up to 30,000 spectators. Many different sports and other competitions were held on the Roman stadium's race track.
Over the years, archaeological excavations, carried out in various phases and beginning in 1907-1908, have uncovered the monumental portal at the southern end and the curved part of the northern end – the sfendona. The 14 rows of seats, made of monolithic marble blocks decorated with stylized lion paws, are located beneath the buildings on both sides of today's main street. Like the spectacular buildings throughout the empire, some of the seats in the stadium bear Greek inscriptions designating the honored spectator positions.
The northern curved section of the stadium (sendona) is exhibited in situ in the Roman stadium plaza. A covered vaulted passage was found beneath the amphitheater rows of seats (cavea), connecting the track to a corridor—a road excavated into the natural terrain. A hut was built over the vault. North of the corridor, a section of the Phili Poppol fortress wall was found, built in the 2nd century AD and renovated in the 3rd-4th centuries AD. In the 4th century AD, this area was crossed by an ancient aqueduct.
The main entrance to the stadium consists of masonry columns decorated with marble pilasters and reliefs, and is now on display in the Regional Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv. On the pilasters are busts of Hermes (Hermai), with prize vases containing palm sprays placed above them, accompanied by Heracles' attributes – a lion's skin, a club, and a kite.
In 1995, the Phili Poppol Stadium was declared a landmark of national and cultural importance.
Between 2009 and 2012, the archaeological complex was renovated as part of the project BG 0041 "Ancient Stadium of Phili Poppol - Conservation, Rehabilitation, and Urban Renewal" with support from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism.
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