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THE ROMANEMPERORSCULTURALITINERARY INSERBIA

ITINERARIUM ROMANUM SERBIA

The RomanEmperors Cultural Itinerary aims toconnect all the places ofrich antique legacy andemploy these resources for the developmentofcultural tourism.

The RomanEmperorsCultural Itinerary endeavors toconnectall theseplaces ofimmeasurable archeological importance intoone whole,suchas itusedtobe back atthe time whenthe RomanEmpire stoodontheDanube banks.

Far away fromRome, onthe unpredictable Danube,the RomanEmpireestablishedits frontier the limes.Asequence offor tresses were builtby the roadalongwhich the legions advancedin their campaignsagainstbarbarian tribes across the river.Nextafter the army venturedthe merchants,artisans, andsoon new towns emergedalong all theimportantcommunications. Inabout twohundred years,starting fromthe thirdcentury,the Upper MoesiaandLower Pannoniaturnedf rommarginal border provinces intothe center ofthe Empires life.Illyricumandits elite troops gave birth toseventeen emperors whowould rule theempire atthe time ofits worstc risis.Born either inprosperous towns onthe limes or incraggy hinterland,some fromamong themwould changethe very appearance ofthe world knownuntil then.

The factthatsixteen(e stablishmentof birth datafor the seventeenthis inprocess) emperors were bornin the territory ofSerb iaattests tothe importance ofthe this areaoftodays Serbia inthe ancientRomanEmpire.

Publisher:TouristOrganizationofSerbiaBelgrade,ikaLjubina8Tel.+381116557100,fax:+3811126 26767

www.serbia.travel

ForthePublisher:GordanaPlamenac,DirectorEditor:SmiljanaNoviiEditorialconceptby:SmiljanaNovii,MilanSimiMapconceptby:MinistryofCultureoftheRepublicofSerbiaText:MinistryofCulture,RepublicofSerbia&ArcheologicalInstitute,BelgradeTranslatedby:GordanaNajeviPhotographsby:DraganBosni,MilanSimi,RaaMilojevi,MiomirKoraMapdesignby:VladimirNikitoviDesignby:Coba&associatesPrintedby:InstituteforManufacturingBanknotesandCoins,BelgradeThefourtheditioninEnglishlanguage,2010Circulation:7.000ISBN978-86-600 5-115-0COBISS.SR-ID 17576132

Todays SremskaMitrovicaholds the true greatness ofthe ancientSirmium, oneofthe mostimportant towns ofthe Late RomanEmpire.

Establishedin the 1stcentury,Sirmiumwas atthe peak ofits grandeur inthethirdcentury A.C.(295 A.C.) whenit was pronouncedone ofthe four capitals ofthe Empire.The systemof roads,aqueducts andmilitary fortifications,remainsofthe royal palace,thermae,theatres, andhippodrome evidence thatthis townwas the center (legioncamp,imperial city andep iscopal center) ofthe entirearea- the thenRomanprovince ofPannonia. Inthis period,this was one ofthemajor trade andtransitcenters ofthe Empire.

Later,Sirmium became one ofthe hubs oftheearly Christianity,but aplace ofChristian martyrs

Christianbasilica inthe city center testify tothis.Inmemory tothe ancientglory ofthis city,aFestival ofPublicSpeaking is organized,each June,atthe ZitniTrgsquare, atthe remains ofthe artisandistrictf romthe Romantimes.Inthe endof the 4th century,Sirmiumshared thefate ofthe entire Empire.Following incursions byHuns,Goths andGepids, the city was ruinedanddepopulated.

SirmiumThe Capital ofPannonia and Rhetoric

Sitevisitinghours: 9a.m.to 4 p.m.,from Tuesday toSaturday,10 a.m.to2p.m.on Sunday,closedon Monday from ApriltoNovemberExpert guide:9a.m. to4 p.m.,from Aprilto NovemberAddress:BulevarCara Konstantina bb

NationalMuseumofNiStandingdisplay visitinghours:10 a.m.to5 p.m.Expert guide:10 a.m.to 5p.m.Address:59Nikole Pasica St.www.ni.rs

TourismOrganisationofNiTelephone:+38118 524 877,521321-mail:ton1@nadlanu.com,ton2@nadlanu.com,www.nistourism.org.rs

Belgrade,Serbias capital, undoubtedly ranks as one ofthe European capitalswith exceptional geographicposition. The city,located onthe banks oftwobigrivers the Savaandthe Danube,on the slopes ofthe Balkanhills stretcheddownuntil meetingthe Pannonianplane, has always been the intersectionofimportantroads andaplace ofspecial military-strategicimportance.

Amongthe numerous archeological layers ofBelgrade, the Romanheritagetakes aspecial place.

Onthe foundations ofa Celtictown, Romans builtamilitary camp andsettlementSingidunumin the beginningofthe 1stcentury. This city reachedits peak atthe time whenthe IVlegionof Flavius was stationedhere, whenitgotthe status ofa municipium(a city enjoyinghigh degree ofautonomy), andsubsequently ofacolony,as well.Today Romanremains are mostly revealedatthe Belgrade Castle,in theKalemegdanPark, butin the broader towncenter as well.Memories ofRomantimes have persistedover centuries inthe Belgrade tradition.Thus,one ofthe mostattractive touristsites atthe Belgrade Castle is namedRoman well,although originatingfrommuch later times.

Visitinghours: TheBelgradeCastle isalwaysopen topublic.www.beogradskatvrdjava.co.rs

TourismOrganisationofBelgradeTelephone:+381113061 410,635622

www.belgradetourism.org.yuwww.tob.rs

NationalMuseumin Belgrade underreconstructionTelephone:+38111330 6000-mail:pr@narodnimuzej.rswww.narodnimuzej.rs

MuseumoftheCity ofBelgradeTelephone:+381112638 744-mail:office@mbg.org.rswww.mbg.org.rs

Viminaciumis one ofthe mostimportant Romancities andmilitary campsfromthe period fromthe 1stto 6th century.Civil community by the camp wasgrantedthe status ofamunicipium, city with ahigh degree ofautonomy,at thetime ofHadrians rule (117-138).Under GordianIII (239) the city gotthe status ofacolony ofRoman citizens,as well as the righttomint local coins.The statusofa colony was the higheststatus acity couldget withinthe RomanEmpire.Viminaciumwas several times selectedfor the place oftroop concentration andapoint ofdeparture innumerous campaigns.

The locationatthe confluence ofthe MlavaandDanube rivers favoredrapideconomicprogre ss.Exceptional finds uncoveredin necropoles roundthe city(sofar 14,000 graves have beenfound) confirm the assumptions ongreatrichness ofits inhabitants,while the frescoes uncoveredin crypts representtheacme ofthe late antiquity art.

The city was several times devastatedduringthe incursions by Goths,Huns andfinally Avars.Excavations inside androundthe city revealed the amphitheater,monumental edifices andtraces of developedinfrastructure, above all streets,aqueducts,sewerage system,andluxurious thermae.

Excavations sofar have certainly confirmedthe special impor tance ofViminaciumas aleading metropolis inthis partof the Danube limes.

Archeologicalsiteis openfor visitsfromthebeginningofFebruarytilltheendof November.Visitinghours:9 a.m.to 7p.m. in summer,and10 a.m.to5 p.m.in springandautumnForvisits announcedin advance,tourscan beorganizedbeyondregularvisitinghours,throughout theyear.www.viminacium.org.rs

TourismOrganisationofPoarevacTelephone:+38112 221941-mail:topozarevac@nadlanu.comwww.topozarevac.rs

NationalMuseumof PoarevacTelephone:+38112 223 597-mail:muzejpo@ptt.rs,www.museum-po.org.rsVisitinghours:8 a.m.to5 p.m.from Monday toSaturday,andfrom 8 a.m.to2 p.m.on Sunday

ArcheologicalMuseumofDjerdap,19320KladovoTelephone:+38119803 900,64 2896659 (guide)-mail:arh@narodnimuzej.rs,amdj@narodnimuzej.rsVisitinghours:10 a.m.to8 p.m.daily, except Monday.Visitscan beorganizedany timeupon previous announcement.

TourismOrganisationofKladovoMunicipalityTelephone:+38119801 690,807656-mail:tookladovo@gmail.comwww.kladovo.org.rs

IustinianaPrima,or Empresss townis one ofthe mostimportantByzantinetowns inthe Balkanpeninsulainland.Emperor Justinian,whooriginates fromSouthernSerbia,decidedtoerecta towninhis native areathatwouldglorifyhis name.IustinianaPrimatow nlies ongentle slopes descendingfrom Radanmountaintowards Leskovacbasin,at aplace outside the mainroad routes.

The towncore comprises three segments:the Acropolis,Upper townandLower town.The Empresss townis anexample ofsettlements builtin the styleofeastern towns,while designedblocks insulae,with groupedbut separatedbuildings withinthe interior space,belongto the Romantradition.

The Empresss townis anexceptional monumentof the ancienttownplanningandarchitecture. Remains offor tifications,streets with porticoes, basilica,publicand private buildings,defensive walls,water supply systemwithaqueductand huge cistern,floor mosaicin luxurious buildings all speak aboutthe pastappearance ofthe townandreflect achievements ofthe Palaeo-Byzantine civilization,built uponthe Greek-Romanlegacy.

National museumof LeskovacTelephone:+38116212 975,Guideservice,telephone:+381 16212 975-mail:muzejleskovac@le.sbb.co.rs,www.lemuzej.org.rsVisitinghours:8 a.m. 4 p.m.from Tuesday toSaturdayTourismOrganisationof LeskovacMynicipality+38116233 360, 233 361 toleskovac@yahoo.com,www.tol.org.rs

Magnum est stare et Danubii ripeHowmagnificent itis tostand onthe banks ofthe Danube!

The Danube has fromtimes immemorial bestowedlife topeople livingo nits banks.Here civilizations have beenreplacing each other for already tenthousandyears incontinuity.

Atthe time ofRoman emperors this powerful river was anatural roadbut,inthe partof Djerdap Gorge,animportant natural barrier as well. ThereforeRomans establishedtheir limes onthe Danube,a frontier with asystem offortifications which defendedthe Empire againstbarbarian incursions.

Diana and Pontes are the names ofthe biggestfor ts here.Butmaybe itisrather the road,built as well,thatbestillustrates the power ofthe ancientRomeinthese territories.

Roadconstruction was completedbyEmperor Trajanin100 AC.To mark thisundertaking,he orderedtopostaboardabove the road:the Trajans Board.Todayitis visible only fromthe river,from ashipor aboat.

The extentofthe ancientR omans buildingmastery is well seenfromthe remains ofemperor Trajansroad atDjerdap the roadwhich enabledhis conquestofthe until thenundefeatedbarbarianDacia.One ofthe mostimpressive buildingaccomplishments ofthe ancienttimes was the constructionof a bridgeonthe Danube.This eventwasportrayedon the famous Trajans Columnerected inthe Romanforum.

Lepenski Vir and Vinca by the Danube

Lepenski VirThe archeological site Lepenski Vir is locatedin theDjerdap Gorge,on the lower Danube terrace.This is the center ofone of the mostimportantprehistoriccultures. Excavations atthis siterevealedthe remains ofsacral architectureoriginatingfrom7.000AD to6000AD.

The architecture ofLepenski Vir is ofunique style.Inthe center ofthe settlementis aspecious square,aplace where various rites were conducted.Theshape andproportions ofthis habitatallow for aconclusionthat the builders ofLepenski Vir hadcertainmathematical knowledge.

Roundthe fire-place stoodro und-stone sculpturespresentinghumanfigures. Inthe early stage only heads were shaped,whilelater the sculptures were giventhe formof ahuman figure andbecame trueidols.

TheRomanEmperors CulturalItinerary runs,toa greatextent, alongtheDanube course.Natural andcultural heritage are atnoo ther place souniquelyunitedas inthe Djerdap Gorge.Atestimony tothis are the twoprehistoric sitesofexceptional importance locatedat the Danube banks.

VincaArcheological site Vinais locatedonthe 14th kilometer ofBelgr ade Smederevoroad. The prehistoricsettlement inVina originates fromtwostages:the Early Neolithicandthe Late NeolithicPeriod.In the culturallayer,nine buildinghorizons have beentraced. Dwellings inthe firsthorizonsettlementwere ofdugouttype, while inthe remainingeighthorizons square-shapedhouses were built.Excavations atthis site uncoveredcharacteristicbiconicvessels, stemmedgoblets, amphorae,altars andspecially rich anddiverse plasticart pieces:cylindrical andflatstatuettes.Basedon these items notonly the life inpre-historic Vinacan bereconstructed,but the early cultural history ofthe Danube basinas well.

Iustiniana PrimaIustiniana Prima New capital ofIllyricum

ViminaciumViminacium,my light!(Viminacium,lumenmeum)

SingidunumIntersectionof roads and cultures

Visitinghours:8 a.m.to7p.m.(from 1Aprilto31 November).Visitscan beorganizedat any timeupon previousannouncement totheNationalMuseumofZajecar.Expert guide:8 a.m.to7p.m.(from 1 Aprilto31November)Siteaddress:by GamzigradSpa

TourismOrganisationofZajearTelephone:+38119421 521-mail:tooz@nadlanu.com,www.toozajecar.co.rs

NationalMuseumof ZajearTelephone:+38119422 930-mail:muzejz19@nadlanu.com

Felix RomulianaGamzigrad Native townof Romanemperor Galerius

Museumof Lepenski VirVisitinghours:9 a.m.5 p.m.from 1April to31 October,except on MondayDonjiMilanovac 19220 Telephone:+38163 206271 -mail:arh@narodnimuzej.rsTouristOrganisationof Majdanpek MunicipalityTelephone:+38130 590 184, E-mail:office@toom.rs,www.toom.rs

Naissus et MedianaNaissus Birthplace ofthe firstChristian emperor

Sitevisitinghours:8a.m. 8p.m.Expertguide:8a.m. 3p.m.

MuseumofSremVisitinghours:7 a.m.-3 p.m.Standingarcheologicaldisplay:15 TrgStefana square,Sremska MitrovicaTelephone:+38122 623 245E-mail:muzejsrema@neobee.net,www.muzejsrema.org.rs

TourismOrganisationofVojvodinaTelephone:+38121452 910,420 758E-mail:office@vojvodinaonline.comwww.vojvodinaonline.com

NationalTourismOrganisaionofSerbiawww.serbia.travel

Onthe spacious plateau nearby Gamzigrad,surroundedby thrilling mountainsofthe easternSerbia, stands the FelixRomuliana,imperial palace ofemperorGaius Valerius Galerius Maximianus,built inthe 3rdand 4th century.Galerius,bornin this area,erectedthis palace for himselfand his mother Romula,andnamedit after her.

OnMagura hill,in the vicinity ofthe palace,ina religious rite,the earlydiedGalerius was elevatedto the status ofa god,together with his mother(apotheosis).This was the lastapotheosis inhumanhistory.

FelixRomuliana is the bestpreservedexample ofRoman royal courtarchitecture.

The palace is surroundedby strongwalls which defendedthe town palaceagainstbarbarian incursions.The townencompassed: royal palace,smalltemple,big temple,thermae, choreumBuildings are richly decoratedwith frescoes, stuccoworks, floor mosaics withfigural andgeometric motifs.

FelixRomuliana was placedonthe UNESCO ListofWorld Cultural Heritage in2007. TourismOrganisationof Belgrade

Telephone:+381113061 410,635 622E-mail:office@tob.rswww.belgradetourism.org.yu,www.tob.rs

NationalMuseumof Belgrade underreconstructionTelephone:+38111330 6000

-mail:pr@narodnimuzej.rswww.narodnimuzej.rs

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THE ROMAN

EMPERORS CULTURAL

ITINERARY IN SERBIA

ITINERARIUM ROMANUM SERBIA

Danube

Naissus is the birthplace ofemperor Constantine the Great,the ruler who

frequentstays inthe Balkans,between 317and 334,Naissus became animportant city with ahugeimperial residence.The mostelegant suburb oftheancientNaissus was Mediana,where Constantinebuilta commercial complexwith agreatnumberofluxurious villas.

Citys positionon animportant trade routefavoredits rapideconomic progress,particularlyprominentduring the 4th century,from whichdate the excavatedartisan workshops whereweapons andsilver plates were made.

By this date abouteighty buildings ofthe ancientMedianahave beenuncovered, decoratedwithsplendidand well preservedmosaics. The centralbuildingis avillawith aperistyle decoratedwithfloor mosaics.Nextto this buildinghave beentraceda thermae andgranary,as well as the entirewater supply systemwith aqueductand watertower,and tombs decoratedwith frescoes.

E-mail:office@tob.rs

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