Hisarya city walls

Hisarya is a small town and major spa resort located in Plovdiv Province, central Bulgaria, nestled at the southern foothills of the Sredna Gora mountain range. Originally established thousands of years ago due to its natural hot springs, the settlement evolved from a Thracian city into a prominent Roman town known as Diocletianopolis. During the Roman era, it served as one of the province's three most important cities and a famous resort destination, evidenced by historical visits from Emperor Septimius Severus. The name Hisarya itself derives from Arabic and Turkish roots meaning fort or castle, reflecting its long-standing defensive importance.

The site is renowned for possessing the best-preserved Roman city walls in Bulgaria, which represent a significant example of late Roman military architecture. These massive fortifications include the famous Southern Gate, colloquially known as The Camels because its broken arches once resembled two facing animals before partial restoration in the early twentieth century. Beyond the walls, the area contains extensive ruins such as public buildings, a small amphitheatre, Roman garrison barracks, and foundations of some of the oldest churches in the country. In medieval times, the city was known by various names including Sebastopolis and Alexiopolis before declining after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Following centuries of decline under Turkish rule, where the once-prosperous city was reduced to a few houses amidst ruins used as a stone quarry by locals, Hisarya has been revitalized. Today, it stands as a protected historical site and a popular modern spa destination. Visitors come to explore the extensive archaeological park featuring the monumental fortifications while also utilizing the therapeutic mineral waters that originally founded the settlement. The town successfully bridges its ancient past as a strategic Roman stronghold with its current identity as a cultural and wellness hub in central Bulgaria.