A project aims to turn the ancient Thracian city of Seuthopolis into a world cultural and historical centre, the project organizers told a news conference at BTA Wednesday.

Seuthopolis, the city of Seuthes III, remained at the bottom of the lake formed by Koprinka dam near Kazanluk (Central Bulgaria). The capital of the Odrysae state dating from the end of the 4th and the beginning of the 3rd century BC and the first and best preserved such find in Bulgaria, was excavated and surveyed in 1948-1954 during the construction of the dam.

The project for exhibiting Seuthopolis suggests the possibility to uncover, preserve and partially reconstruct the city while making it publicly accessible. The exceptional historical, educational, cultural and tourist value of Seuthopolis will be offset by a unique architectural structure in the natural environment.

The ancient city will be reclaimed from the water through a circular dam wall, resembling a well the bottom of which, as on a stage, will present Seuthopolis. Approaching the surrounding ring by boat from the shore Seuthopolis will be completely hidden for the eye.

The ring of the surrounding wall has a neutral (absolute in relation to time and space) circular form with an outside diameter of 420 meters, circumscribed around the pentagon shape of the ancient city.

The ring will serve as a pier for boats and small ships. It will also hold a number of catering elements - restaurants, cafes, shops, rent a bike points, various recreational, sports and fishing facilities. The ring-wall will house a museum, conference halls, restaurants with view to the city and the dam, hotel complex, service offices, medical offices, elements of the technical infrastructure, etc.

The city of Seuthopolis receives the status and qualities of a national and world historical and cultural center with the possibilities to host various national and international cultural activities - symposia, exhibitions, concerts, festivals, etc.

The organizers said the implementation of the project requires 100 million euro. They hope to raise money from the European funds and the Bulgarian state, as well as with the help of the public and investors.

A fund-raising campaign will be launched on November 19.