Roman period, 2nd c.

Ancient Stadium

One of the largest structures of Roman Philippopolis, built in the 2nd century under Emperor Hadrian and modelled on the stadium at Delphi. Around 240 metres long, it could hold up to 30,000 spectators for athletic games staged by the provincial assembly of Thrace — games the city's mint celebrated on its coins. Today only the northern curve, with 14 rows of seats, is exposed beneath Dzhumaya Square; the rest lies under the modern city.