The gate was built on the widest and most elaborate street of the city which was partly discovered during the archeological works.

Wheel ruts can be seen on the syenite pavement indicating busy cart traffic through the gate.

Buildings built in the 4th century with elaborate porticoes in the Corinthian style were found on both sides of the Eastern gate.

The first structure on the place of the today's Eastern gate was a marble triumphal arch built on the main road to Byzantium in the 2nd century for Hadrian's visit in Philippopolis.

The triumphal arch was left a few dozen metres outside the fortified area where the first eastern gate was built.