The ancient town of Nicopolis ad Istrum

The ancient town of Nicopolis ad Istrum is a historical site located in the northern region of Bulgaria. It was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan in 101-106 AD as a military camp and later developed into a thriving city. The name Nicopolis ad Istrum means 'Victory City on the Danube River' and it was strategically located on the main road between the Danube and the Aegean Sea.

The town was an important center of trade, culture, and religion in the Roman Empire. It had a theater, a stadium, a forum, and several temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The most impressive of these is the Temple of Cybele, which was built in the 2nd century AD and is still partially preserved today.

Nicopolis ad Istrum was also a center of Christianity in the early centuries of the religion. The town had several churches and was the seat of a bishopric. The most famous of these churches is the Bishop's Basilica, which was built in the 4th century AD and is one of the largest early Christian churches in Bulgaria.

The town was abandoned in the 6th century AD due to the Slavic invasions and was later rediscovered in the 20th century. Today, Nicopolis ad Istrum is a popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the ruins of the ancient city, including the theater, the stadium, the forum, and the temples. They can also visit the museum, which houses many artifacts found at the site, including statues, mosaics, and inscriptions.