The St. Anthanasius Fortress is a fascinating place located on St. Anthanasius Cape, near the town of Byala. In the past, there used to be a port town there. The fortress dates back to the 5th-6th centuries and has witnessed a thousand-year history. The Basilica, the two baptisteries, and the winery are the main structures in this ancient town. It is believed that the Basilica was built with the intention to be one where to convert the local population. Other facilities were gradually built around it, all of which are linked to this early Christian sacred center. There used to be a baptistery inside the Basilica that was later destroyed and a second baptistery was built in its place. The restored marble altar table from the 5th-6th centuries is of particular interest to visitors, as it is one of the few preserved almost entirely not only in Bulgaria, but also in the world. Many significant parts of the building’s interior have been preserved. The entire Basilica, with its decoration and design, is a demonstration of a very high class for this epoch. Parts of frescoes have been discovered in several locations throughout the ancient temple, and they are among the most valuable finds in the area.
During the excavations, a public bath, ancient ceramic vessels, and kilns for their production, as well as entire streets and buildings, were also discovered. Aside from ancient history, here visitors can also enjoy the breathtaking view revealed by the Basilica.
The St. Anthanasius Fortress is located near Byala’s central beach and can be visited every day from 10:00 to 20:00