Early Byzantine Thermal Baths
Early Byzantine Thermal Baths
Obzor, Bulgaria
Client: Nessebar Municipality
Type: Direct procurement
Programme: conservation, restoration and adaptation of archaeological structures
Project: 2015
Responsible partner: Angel Savlakov
Project architects: Tanya Mitakeva, Angel Savlakov, Ivaylo Andreev
Co-author: Donika Georgieva
Team: Tsvetan Kyosev, Niko Mitov, Ralitsa Stoynova
Contributors: Todor Marvakov – Head of the archaeological study
A little known fact is that the Black Sea city of Obzor has a rich historical past. With its strategic geopolitical location the city has been successively inhabited by Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Bulgarians. The archaeological heritage is extremely rich - the system of fortress walls and towers, built by the Roman Empire is two times greater than that of the capital Ulpia Serdica.
In 2011 during an emergency repair of the infrastructure in the eastern part of the city some archaeological structures were uncovered. The archaeological studies conducted in 2013-2014 identified the structures as Early Byzantine thermal baths. In 2015 the Nessebar Municipality reached a decision to explore the potential of the Early Byzantine thermal baths and their possibility to be preserved, adapted and socialized in the public life of Obzor.
The Conveyer team in collaboration with Donika Georgieva, after carrying out research and analysis, offered the Client - Nessebar Municipality an overall strategy for spatial expression and integration into the city life of the rich archaeological heritage. As part of this strategy the Early Byzantine thermal baths were also discussed.
The project concept is based on two main points. The first one is to create a city square with a human scale, which is integrated in the system of pedestrian areas of the city of Obzor. Taking advantage of the unique opportunity of the uncovered archaeological structures to fall within the area of the intersection of roads linking the central pedestrian area with the seafront promenade, the project proposes the creation of a multifunctional city square for cultural and social activities. In the southern part of the square, a pedestrian ramp and a panoramic site, providing a comprehensive view of the archaeological structures, are planned as a prospective end of “Ivan Raykov” street. In the western part of the square, tribunes and stairs for visitors which are also the main pedestrian approach to the archeology level are organized in axis with the predicted main entrance of the thermal baths. The northern retaining wall of the square is planned as a “curtain” type of water area – which, on the one hand, introduces the visitors to the theme - Early Byzantine thermal baths and the attitude of the Romans to the water, and on the other hand, the water with its impact enriches the atmosphere of the square space and will make it into a favourite place for recreation.
The second point, on which the project concept is based, is the fact that in practice there are only two distinct cultural layers: the ancient and that of our times. In order for the ancient layer to become visible and accessible for exhibition, the contemporary layer is “cut” and responds by “bending” both above and below ground level. The space /the time break/ between the two layers is filled with heterogeneous substance - archaeological debris, rock mass and vertical landscaping. For that purpose, a plan is made for the use of gabion elements of solid metal nets, lined on the reinforced concrete walls, stiffening the excavation. This method of treatment of vertical walls with the appropriate arrangement of the filling substance would give information on how over 1,500 years the present terrain level of the city of Obzor has been shaped.
