The Thracian tomb of Sveshtari

(Bulgarian: Свещарска гробница, Sveshtarska grobnitsa) is located 2.5 km outside the village Sveshtari in the Razgrad Bulgarian Oblast. The tomb dates from the third century BC. It was discovered in 1982 and contains unique half-human, half-plant caryatids. The tomb probably belongs to Dromichaetes, king of the Getae, a Thracian tribe. The tomb is a fine example of the fundamental structural principles of Thracian cult buildings. The 10 female figures in the walls of the central chamber are the only examples of this type found so far in the Thracian country. It is a remarkable reminder of the culture of the Getes, a Thracian people who according to ancient geographers was in contact with Hellenistic and Hyperborean worlds. The decoration of the burial chamber is exceptionally interesting, a unique blend of art and architecture. The actual tomb dome is small, but the paintings are still very intact and beautiful to see. These paintings are made by the Thracians. The Thracians founded from 6000 BC settlements in Bulgaria. Around 2000 BC the Thracians had built a high civilization: pottery, metalwork and painting were on a high level. They reached the height of their civilization in the 4 ° and 5 ° century BC, dominating  large parts of the Balkans. The Thracians remained independent until Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great in 346 BC conquered their empire; this domination did not last long. In the Roman period it took the Romans nearly 100 years to finally defeat the Thracians: in 46 BC eventually came an end to the Thracian kingdom as they were included in the Roman Empire.