Archaeological Discovery in Ahtopol Rewrites History

An archaeological discovery in Ahtopol reshapes our understanding of the region's history. One of the most significant spiritual centers on the Southern Black Sea coast, the Ahtopol Monastery of "St. John the Baptist" – known among the locals as "St. Yani" – is the subject of intensive archaeological research, which sheds new light on the past of the area. The National Historical Museum and Tsarevo Municipality, with the active assistance of Mayor Marin Kirov, have joined forces to uncover the secrets of this significant historical site.

In 2025, thanks to the partnership between the National Historical Museum and Tsarevo Municipality, archaeological excavations continue. The director of the National Historical Museum, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bony Petrunova, leads the research, and the Ahtopol mayor's office actively assists in the successful implementation of the activities.

The monastery is located on the namesake cape, south of the harbor bay of the town of Ahtopol. According to the available data, the Agathopol Metropolitan resided here until 1829. In the middle of the XX century, a unit of the Border Police was built on the site of the monastery.

In 2019, the Border Police provided the property to the Ministry of Culture, and a year later, the Ministry handed it over for management to the National Historical Museum. Subsequently, the NIM developed a conceptual project for the redevelopment of the peninsula into a cultural center, which will combine archaeology, history, and contemporary cultural events.

It is assumed that the magnificent Ahtopol Monastery of "St. John the Baptist" was built sometime in the XII–XIII century. Within the last five archaeological seasons, the foundations of the longest church discovered so far on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast have been revealed. This in itself testifies to the significant role of medieval Agathopol as one of the five known episcopal centers on the southern Black Sea coast of present-day Bulgaria.

An impressive 257 archaeological finds have been discovered at the site. Every year, these finds are presented in the Anchor Museum in the "Neven" hotel. Among the most impressive exhibits are silver coins from the Principality of Achaea, including those of William II of Villehardouin, Isabella of Villehardouin, and Charles II of Anjou, a gold coin of Suleiman the Magnificent, as well as an exquisite jasper cross and two Celtic bronze fibulae from the Roman era (3rd century).

This place represents one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the Southern Black Sea coast. The discoveries here change our understanding of the role and importance of medieval Agathopol in the history of the region.

The research on the "St. Yani" monastery is part of the broader vision of Tsarevo Municipality for the preservation and promotion of cultural and historical heritage. With the efforts of the local authorities, the National Historical Museum, and the scientific team, Ahtopol is gradually regaining its spiritual and historical significance. The discoveries have been met with great interest from the local community, which sees in them a new perspective for the development of the region. Tourists are no longer attracted only by the beautiful nature and the sea, but also by the living tale of the rich history of ancient Agathopolis - one of the most significant spiritual and cultural centers of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.