Gamzigrad: A palace of Ancient Rome

Gamzigrad: A palace of Ancient Rome

11 km east of Zaječar, alongside a village of the same name, lies one of the most important late Roman sites in Europe. The first explorers believed the ancient ruins had been a Roman military camp, because of their size and numerous towers. However, systematic archeological excavations since 1953 revealed that it had, in fact, been an imperial palace. It was a project of one of the tetrarchs, Galerius (caesar from 293 and augustus from 305 till 311), the adopted son and son-in-law of the great Diocletianus. Galerius started construction works here in 289, after a victory over the Persians that brought him admiration and glory, to mark the place of his birth. It was therefore given the name Felix Romuliana in memory of his Queen mother Romula, a priestess of a pagan cult. This complex of temples and palaces was a place of worship of his mother’s divine personality, the monument to his deeds as an emperor, as well as a luxurious villa where Galerius withdrew after abdication. Romuliana served its purpose until it was plundered by the Huns in the mid 5th century. Later it was turned into an unpretentious settlement of farmers and craftsmen, finally to be abandoned at the beginning of the 7th century with the arrival of the Slavs. The derelict complex was named Gamzigrad or “Slithertown” by the newcomers, for many snakes inhabited the ruins. The walls in the shape of an irregular quadrangle are guarded by 20 towers and two gates. The remaining walls and columns, as well as some marvelous mosaics, can be seen inside. Three of the mosaics depict pagan deities Dionysus, Hercules and Esculapos, which like Galerius, were born by a mortal mother. The remains of two temples can also be seen, one of which is dedicated to Jupiter, Galerius’ protector. Most of the movable objects have been transferred to the museum in nearby Zaječar.
1000 meters east from the main gate, on a hill called Magura, stand the remains of two mausoleums where Romula and Galerius were buried.
In the village of Gamzigrad there is a spa, Gamzigradska banja, with springs of hot water in and around the river Crni Timok.

Source: www.serbiainyourhands.com