Ruins of the Roman amphitheatre in the Bulgarian capital Sofia is the famous archaeological monument in the heart of the modern city. Serdika was the ancient name of Sophia, the amphitheater was located three hundred meters from the East gate of this ancient city.

The complex, consisting of several unique ancient buildings 2-3 century (theatre and amphitheatre), was opened in 2004 by accident, during the construction of the hotel. But much earlier – in 1919 – there was found a stone slab, on which was depicted a scene of gladiatorial combat.

The theatre was built here before – in the late second – early third century. This building, representing a wide semi-circular space with several brick rows, facing the East. It was lined with sand and river stones and was called "the orchestra" - the stage. The archaeological survey was the age of theater – on the coins, pottery and medallions relating to time of emperors geta and Caracalla. The theatre existed until about 270 years, when the Goths destroyed it during the invasion of Serdika.

At the end of the 3rd century on the ruins of the theatre was built amphitheatre - special building for public meetings, gladiatorial combat, military processions. After a couple of decades, the amphitheater was repaired and expanded. However, at the end of the 4th century, as a result of reforms Theodosius I against pagan games and cults, amphitheatre gradually fell into decay. Until the 7th century with the construction of the amphitheater was used for storage, stables, barns and camps for Byzantine soldiers.

The Roman amphitheatre in Sofia – the 77th monument of its kind in the world, the size of the amphitheater him closer to the Colosseum (length structures of the sixty-and-a-half meters, the width is forty-three meters). Unique monument is a combination of ancient theatre and amphitheatre in one place.

The ruins are available to visit, today you can see not only the ruins of ancient buildings, archaeological finds discovered in the territory. The study of this unique antique complex now due to stop funding terminated. On the ruins was erected the infamous five-star hotel "arena di Serdica".