Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Hisar's
Roman walls
, refortified by the Byzantines, are more than 5m high and up to 3m
thick, and among Bulgaria's best-preserved Roman ruins. Built to protect a 30-hectare
span of the town and its mineral baths from invaders, the walls were too formidable for
6th-century Slavic raiders. The most-visited section is near the bus and train stations.
More ruins lie along unnamed roads heading towards the centre from the main road.
These unfenced, unsupervised ruins include remains of an amphitheatre, baths and some
dwellings.
MUSEUM
Archaeological Museum
( 62 012; ul Stamboliyiski 8; admission 3 lv; 8-11.30am & 1-4.30pm Tue-Sun)
The
Archaeological Museum features an original city walls scale model, and photos of early
excavations. The traditional regional costumes and agricultural and weaving equipment
displays are arguably more interesting. The poorly signposted museum is after the post of-
fice, and accessible from the main road through a pretty courtyard.
Sleeping & Eating
Both Hisar hotels are about 1km down bul General Gurko, which starts about 700m along
the main road from the bus and train stations; look for the sign (in English) to the Augusta
Spa Hotel. Both are close to the mineral springs.
Private rooms are on bul General Gurko (look for signs reading
stay pod naem
).
Besides the good hotel restaurants, several hearty, home-style
mehanas
line bul General
Gurko; try the
Evropa
(bul General Gurko; Mains 5-9 lv; 8a,-11pm)
or the
National
(bul General Gurko; Mains 4-9 lv; 9am-12am)
. Also, the
Tsesar
(ul Hristo Botev;
Mains 5-9 lv; 9am-11pm)
serves up excellent Bulgarian grills in a rustic courtyard,
decorated by a faux windmill.
Chinar
( 62288;
www.hotelchinar.bg
; ul Vasil Petrovich
5; s/d/apt from 80/90/175 lv;
)
, near the town's church, is also popular.
Augusta Spa Hotel $$$
( 63 821;
www.augustaspahotel.com
;
ul General Gurko 3; s/d from €41/58; )
Try for one of the fully refurbished rooms in this central place: they are attractive, but not
particularly glorious for the price. The hotel is known for its spa facilities, which include a
mineral-rich outdoor pool, an indoor one, a gym and a solarium. However, given the wide
range of illnesses and conditions treated here, one might be hesitant to test the waters.
SPA HOTEL
