Exhibit of the month – March 2025

Bronze figurine of the Thracian rider

2nd – 3rd c.

Sanctuary of Apollo on Alamura peak, village of Rakitnitsa, municipality of Stara Zagora

Photo: M. Raykovska

The bronze figurine is among the votive offerings discovered at the Alamura Peak site, village of Rakitnitsa, municipality of Stara Zagora. The site was located during an archaeological survey in 2017, and the rescue excavations in late 2024 provided results of primary importance regarding the religious life in the Roman province of Thrace. The temple building was discovered, where rituals were performed, and various votive offerings were placed. Among them, the large number of fragmentary marble statues and statuettes representing Apollo, as well as figurines made of bronze, silver and lead of the Thracian rider with his right hand raised in a gesture of blessing – benedictio latina. The syncretism of his cult with that of Apollo is reflected mainly in the dedicatory inscriptions of Apollo bearing a local epithet.

The exhibit is part of the temporary exhibition “Bulgarian archaeology 2024” and is on display in the Central Hall of the Museum until June 8th, 2025.

Андреева, П., Георгиева, В., Илиев, Д., Александров, С., Нейчев, М., Атанасов, А. 2025. Светилище на Аполон на връх Аламура, землище на с. Ракитница, община Стара Загора. В: Бояджиев, К., Иванова, Н. (ред.) Българска археология 2024. Каталог към изложба. София, 40–42.