Late-antique town of Dionysopolis
Dionysopolis was an Early-Byzantine town that existed within the present town of Balchik. The name Dioniysopolis means "city of the god Dionysus" (the god of the wine). Remains of the ancient city can be seen in today`s neighborhood Horizon of Balchik.
A settlement on the same place with name Kmuni or Krounoi (Greek: Κρουνοι) was founded still in V century BC by Greek colonists, almost simultaneously with the foundation of towns of Istros (Silistra), Tomis (Constanta), Callatis (Mangalia), Apollonia (Sozopol), Odessos (Varna), Mesembria (Nesebar) and others.
In the beginning of III century BC the city was relatively independent and included in the system of fortifications built by Diadohite. After parting of the Roman Empire, town of Dionysopolis is part of the Byzantine Empire.
In VI century the town was destroyed by an earthquake and the population moved within the new fortification, whose construction was began at the end of V and beginning of VI century.
Later (in VII century) the town is possession of the Bulgars and Slavs and was renamed first to Karvuna, and after that - Balik, after the name of Boyar Balik, who used it as a capital of its domain.
One of the most important discoveries in borders of the ancient Dionysopolis is the Temple of Greet mother-goddess Kibele. Many of the artifacts found there can be seen in Balchik History museum. Since 1994 the site has the status of cultural monumnet of national significance.
