Kibela Temple, Balchik

Balchik is situated in the north-east part of the Bulgarian Black Sea shore, 40 km from Varna and 20 km from Kavarna.

The town was established 26 centuries ago by Greek settlers named Krunes. In the 6th century BC the town was named after the Greek God of wine and joy – Dionysus – Dionisiopolis.

In the 4th century BC Dionisiopolis was quite an important economical center. That is evident by the found coins, which had been coined in the town. The name of the God Dionysus was carved on them. The cults for the God of Wine and the Great Mother Goddess Kibela were largely spread.

A large number of the finds, made during excavations in the region, are stored in the Historical Museum of Balchik. The exponents speak of the creation and the development of the town in Antiquity and the Middle Ages. The period in which Balchik and South Dobrudzha were under Romanian ruling are presented by pictures and documents. All finds and marble statues from the Kibela Temple are stored in the museum. The Temple of Kibela was found in 2007, and according to archaeologists it dates back to about 280 – 260 year BC. 27 preserved inscriptions were found in the remains of the temple, and almost all images are of the Goddess Kibela. After the earthquake in the middle of the 6th century, the temple was covered up.

 

Availability for visits: Nowadays it is accessible without paying an admission fee and with access for people with disabilities. On request of the tourists, a curator of the Historical Museum can tell the history of the temple on site.

Transport accessibility: Road, Public Transport, easy to reach

Tourist infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, shops