Антична Сердика в западните пътеписи oт XVI – XVIII в.
Ancient Serdica in the Western Travelogues of the 16th – 18th Centuries

Summary/Abstract: This study examines evidence concerning the ancient past and monuments of Sofia as reflected in foreign travel accounts from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Despite the growing interest in Antiquity across Europe during this period, references to the city’s archaeological remains are sparse and fragmentary. Most authors focused primarily on historical narratives rather than on material remains, with the notable exception of the Basilica of St. Sophia, which consistently attracted attention, albeit often described in a concise manner. The research draws on a broad and diverse body of sources, including travelogues, itineraries, reports, and diplomatic accounts. It draws on both early printed books and modern critical editions of manuscripts, as well as relevant analytical studies. In addition, the study incorporates previously unpublished manuscripts preserved in archival collections in Vienna, Austria, alongside materials available on microfilm at the Central State Archives in Sofia. The principal methodological approach is source-critical analysis applied to the heterogeneous evidence. This is complemented by a comparative method, which facilitates the identification of similarities, discrepancies, and recurring errors across different accounts. A contextual approach is also employed, situating the travel narratives within their broader framework. The aim of the article is to trace how Sofia’s ancient past and its monuments were perceived and interpreted in foreign travel literature from the early sixteenth to the late eighteenth century. In doing so, it elucidates how foreign observers constructed and conveyed the city’s antiquity, and how their knowledge, misconceptions, and source dependencies contributed to shaping its historical image in the early modern period. Travellers in the Ottoman Empire pursued a variety of objectives – religious, diplomatic, commercial, or scholarly –which is reflected in theheterogeneouscharacter of their accounts. Their narratives were not always based on direct observation, often incorporating material derived from earlier ancient or contemporary authors. This practice contributed to a degree of standardization and to the repetition of inaccuracies. A particularly illustrative example is the problem of identifying ancient Serdica. Some authors, influenced by the cartographic tradition stemming from Ptolemy, incorrectly equated Sofia with Ulpianum, while others identified it with Tibiscum. Descriptions of the city’s fortifications and other archaeological remains are infrequent and generally vague. Information concerning other antiquities—such as inscriptions, coins, and architectural fragments—is likewise limited. The Basilica of St. Sophia occupies a central place in these accounts. It is associated with a range of origin narratives, variously attributing its construction to emperors such as Justinian or to legendary figures. Although its architectural features receive little detailed attention, the building is consistently perceived as a defining landmark of the city. Other ecclesiastical structures, such as the Rotunda of St. George, are only rarely mentioned. The study highlights that foreign authors tended to rely more heavily on classical texts than on locally obtained information, a tendency that often resulted in inaccuracies. By contrast, local inhabitants—both Christian and Muslim—appear to have possessed a clearer understanding of the city’s historical identity, although this knowledge was seldom systematized or mobilized for the preservation of its heritage. In conclusion, travel accounts constitute a valuable yet limited source for the study of Sofia’s ancient past, reflecting both the intellectual interests and the methodological constraints of their authors.

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