Gamzigrad
Gamzigrad | |
---|---|
Native name Serbian: Гамзиград | |
Location | Zaječar, Serbia |
Coordinates | 43°53′57″N 22°11′06″E / 43.89917°N 22.18500°E |
Elevation | 197 m (646.3 ft) |
Built | 298 AD |
Europe and North America | |
Archaeological Sites of Exceptional Importance | |
Designated | 1983 |
Reference no. | АН 40[1] |
Gamzigrad (
History
In the vicinity of Gamzigrad lie the ruins of a huge
The structures were first evaluated in 1835 by Baron von Herder, a Saxon mine entrepreneur, in the "Bergmänische Reise in Serbie im Jahre 1835". Later the German mineralogist August Breithaupt also wrote an article about the constructions. The Austro-Hungarian naturalist, geographer, ethnographer and archaeologist Felix Philipp Kanitz (who has earned great respect in Serbia and Bulgaria through his works on the South Slavs) was especially interested in Gamzigrad and visited the ruins on two occasions, in 1860 and in 1864 when he drew the then condition of the ramparts and towers, included in his works on Serbia, printed in Vienna and Leipzig.[3]
The enthusiasm for Gamzigrad disappeared by the end of the 19th century. The real history of the complex was yet to be researched. The interest was revived in the 1950s during the period of "Neo-romanticism of Serbian archaeology". Vekoslav Popovic, Director of the Town Museum of Zajecar initiated the systematic archaeological research in 1953. The academic professor Dr.
The complex was demystified in 1984, when in the south-west an archivolt with the inscription of FELIX ROMULIANA was discovered.[6]
Layout
Archaeological excavations on the site have unearthed the remains of a Roman compound with two temples, two palaces and a building with corridor including exceptionally fine
, baths and impressive gates. Several valuable hoards of Roman gold coins have been unearthed at the site, which continues to yield important Roman artifacts.Pilasters of the emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, Licinius, Maximinus and Constantine are among spectacular finds. In the two mausolea on the Magura hill Romula and the founder Galerius were buried and deified.[6]
Among the most important finds from the site are portraits of Roman emperors made from porphyry and coins that help to accurately date the complex. A sculpture of Diana, the goddess of hunt, was unearthed in July 2010 by German and Serbian archeology teams, experts said that horse and a rider is missing which symbolizes victory over the barbarians.[7]
Alongside the Latin inscriptions throughout the complex, several Greek inscriptions are found.[8]
The northwestern part was renovated; basilicas were built, during the rule of Emperor
Northern part
Northern Temple
The temple is of the tetrastile prostilos type, similar to the Jupiter temple at
The architrave, doorposts, podium and pillars were made of green sandstone, frieze of white limestone while the figural capitals were made of marble.[3]
Palace One
The palace consists of an octagonal core building, three peristiles and a smaller bathroom. The vestibulum (accessory hall) is preserved with marble plate and pillars of green serpent brecha and red granite. The floor of the vestibulum is completely covered by a mosaic carpet with a labyrinth in its center and geometric motifs.
The central hall (possible throne) is ornamented with geometrics and picturesque hunting scenes.
The triclinum is ornamented with precious colorful stone tiles (opus sectile) and the entrance is ornamented with a luxurious mosaic with the image of the Greek god
The Palace walls are covered with marble, green porphyry and frescoes. The marble sculptures depicting the Greek gods are made according to 5th and 4th century BC sculptural art.
Palace Two
The second palace and a building with a corridor has only been partially researched.
A rectangular peristile in the center is surrounded by premises of different sizes and functions.[3]
Preservation and tourism
During the 31st Session of the
Felix Romuliana is a popular tourist stop on the Roman Emperors' trail which links the birthplaces of over 17 Roman Emperors born on the territory of modern Serbia.
Spa resort
A modern-day spa resort, Gamzigradska Banja, is located nearby with a "special rehabilitation hospital".[9]
See also
References
- ^ Monuments of Culture in Serbia: Gamzigrad (SANU) (in Serbian and English)
- ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "Museum of Zaječar". Archived from the original on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ^ Stojković-Pavelka, Brana (March 5, 2004). "Archaeological Site of Gamzigrad (Felix Romuliana)" (PDF). www.seecorridors.eu.
- ^ http://www.isprs.org/congresses/beijing2008/proceedings/5_pdf/70.pdf[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Theory and Practice in Late Antique Archaeology at Google Books
- ^ "Blic Online | Archeologists found sculpture of Diana, Goddess of hunt". Archived from the original on 2010-07-24. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ^ "Epigraphy of Upper Danube". Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ^ Gamzigrad Spa Archived 2017-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, VisitSerbia.org