The history of Aquae Calidae comes to life through yet another completed project
Another project related to one of the top tourist attractions in Burgas has been successfully completed by the Regional History Museum - Burgas in partnership with OP "Tourism" - Burgas Municipality. It was officially presented in the presence of its authors and media representatives. This is "Aquae Calidae - the rulers' favorite thermal baths," co-financed by the "Creation" 2024 program of the National Culture Fund.
The event, showcasing the new cultural product - an animated 3D visualization of Aquae Calidae, was attended by the author Martin Kostov from Tornado Studio, along with the head of archaeological research, Assoc. Prof. Dimcho Momchilov, and Senior Assistant Prof. Radovesta Stewart, who talked about the creation process and its specifics.
It was very important for us to show people who find it difficult to visualize what it was like," said Senior Assistant Professor Dr. Radovesta Stewart. She emphasized that this is an original product that cannot guarantee authenticity—it is an idea of what the Byzantine bath looked like, and she hopes that young people will like the project and use it for inspiration.
"You know that the excavations have been going on for eighteen years in a row – since 2008," recalled the head of archaeological research, Assoc. Prof. Dimcho Momchilov. He welcomed innovative projects that aim to show an approximate reconstruction of the baths.
Assoc. Prof. Momchilov recalled that there are layers from three historical periods here – Roman, early Byzantine, and 12th-13th centuries – and that the complex is unique in that it has been repeatedly destroyed and reconstructed over the centuries.
The head of the research team shared that the modern infrastructure hinders the discovery of part of the archaeology – the facilities built over the last 60-70 years prevent the most sensitive areas of the excavations from being uncovered.
This innovative product presents cultural heritage in a visually captivating and easily accessible way for the numerous visitors to the site. This is another step forward for the Municipality of Burgas in the digitization of cultural heritage.
Martin Kostov from Tornado Studio shared that with the help of 3D technologies and expert knowledge, a hypothesis was developed about what the site looked like, which was used as the basis for creating an experience in which people can immerse themselves and travel through time via virtual reality.
The project is modern and impressive—a team of specialists in archaeology, history, museology, and 3D technology combined their knowledge, skills, and creative vision to build an interpretation of one of the most complex archaeological sites in Bulgaria due to the presence of a large number of cultural layers from different eras.
The aim is to reconstruct the ancient baths as they appeared in the early Byzantine period, which stands out as the heyday of the site after the devastating barbarian invasions.
The final product is an immersive VR experience that immerses visitors in the history and architecture of the Byzantine city with its monumental buildings and fortress walls.
The team of archaeologists working on the site during the process provided access to their research over the years. This includes the head of research, Assoc. Prof. Dimcho Momchilov, PhD, and Dr. Milen Nikolov, Senior Assistant Prof. Radovesta Stewart, PhD, with their expertise and creative vision for presenting the site and elements of the cultural heritage of Aquae Calidae to a wide audience.
The author's cultural product is now permanently available in the halls of the Aquae Calidae Exhibition and Demonstration Center. Upon its presentation, it aroused great interest among the media representatives present. They tried out the VR glasses system and were transported into the history of the site, which has accumulated thousands of years of history.
During the event, some of the results of this year's archaeological research in the Aquae Calidae area were also presented. Among them are the second Roman marble pool, as well as the northern arm and pelastri.
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Уникален спектакъл "НИФЕУИ - Мистерия на Водата“ ви очаква на 28 юни в Акве Калиде
Една от най-интересните и предпочитани локации в района на Бургас – Акве калиде ще е домакин на зрелищен спектакъл. Той ще е представен и е част от Фестивал „Тракийски Мистерии“. На 28 юни (събота) от 21:30 часа в амфитеатъра на туристически комплекс Акве Калиде, древният тракийски епос оживява под звуците на завладяваща музика и зрелищна хореография. Нимфите – пазителки на водите ще ни поведат към изворите на живите води, ще събудят сетивата и жаждата за истинската красота, която има силата да изцерява. Местата са ограничени, а билети може да откриете на сайта на Академия Орфика: www.events.academiaorphica.org/event/misteriya-na-vodata и на място. Събитието ще се осъществи с подкрепата на Община Бургас и ТК "Акве калиде". То ще започне в съботния ден в 10:00 часа с уникална изложба на дигиталния артист Диляна Ангелова, разположена на открито пред културно-туристически център "Акве Калиде". 26 широкомащабни платна с дигитална живопис с орфическа символика съчетават модерни технологии и архетипна образност, които провокират и създадат мост към предстоящия вечерен спектакъл. Всичко това на фона на въздействащата музика на Арт-формация Орфика. Изложбата е със свободен достъп и ще продължи през целия ден, като от 10:00-12:00 часа и от 17:30-19:30 часа посетителите ще могат да се срещнат на живо с автора. Вечерта ще завърши със завладяващия и уникален по рода си спектакъл на тракийските нимфи, в амфитеатъра сред руините на тракийското светилище в древния Термопол. Откритата сцена ще очаква жители и гости на Бургас. see more
The museum in "Aquae Calidae" is waiting for you, but the Aquae Centre closes for maintenance
From August 1 until the end of the month, the aquacenter of the Complex will temporarily close for annual maintenance and improvements.
For more information:
Tel. 0882 004 126
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The last thracian kings emerged from the past of Burgas
On June 9 this year during archeological digs at the site Aquae Calidae in Burgas was found an exceptionally valuable inscription in Greek on a marble slab
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