Roman Bridge Foundations Emerge in Bulgaria as Danube River Hits Historic Lows

Varna, Bulgaria – The Danube River's water levels in Bulgaria have dropped to historic lows, uncovering the foundations of a significant Roman-era bridge. The discovery was announced by the Regional Museum of History in Pleven.

According to museum director Volodya Popov, the submerged foundations, currently about 70 centimeters below the water's surface, were located with the assistance of local fishermen. Due to their position, the remains are not visible from above and can only be identified with a drone if their exact location is known.

These are remnants of the 'Bridge of Constantine,' known in its time as 'Pons per Danuvium Ductus.' It is considered one of the most ambitious engineering projects constructed during the Roman Empire. Inaugurated by Emperor Constantine I himself on July 5, 328 AD, the bridge is well-documented through ancient sources and recent archaeological research.

The structure measured approximately 2.5 kilometers in length and 5 meters in width, rising nearly 10 meters above the Danube's waters. It connected the ancient city of Ulpia Oescus, near modern-day Gigen in northern Bulgaria, with the fortress of Sucidava in present-day Corabia, Romania.

Constructed with stone blocks and slabs reinforced with brick, the bridge featured a wooden superstructure for pedestrian and goods traffic. Eight pillars, spaced 30 to 35 meters apart, supported the structure on the Bulgarian side leading to the Romanian bank. The bridge served for about 70 years before it was deliberately set ablaze to prevent its use by barbarian tribes invading Roman territory from the north.

The Danube's receding waters are a consequence of persistent drought, exacerbated by several extreme heatwaves across Central Europe. On Thursday, the river's level near the northern Bulgarian city of Ruse, bordering Romania, reached its lowest point, measuring 104 centimeters below the minimum safe navigation depth.