ANCIENT CITY OF DIOCLETIANOPOL

Overview

The ancient Roman city of Diocletianopolis was located on the territory of today's city of Hissarya. It was established in the first century AD, when Thrace was conquered by the Roman Empire. The name of the city comes from the Roman emperor Diocletian, who in 293. AD settles here because of the healing mineral waters.

The fortress walls around the city were built in the early IV century and had a total length of about 2,327 meters, a thickness of 2.60 to 4 meters and a height of 12.5 meters. They enclosed an area of ​​about 20,000 square meters and had 44 towers, 4 main and 6 auxiliary gates.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city remained in the possession of Byzantium until the end of the VI - beginning of the VII century, when it was destroyed by invasions of Slavs and Avars.

Nowadays, relatively well-preserved remains of the southern and western gates of the Diocletian's fortress have been discovered. About 300 meters south, outside the fortified city, the remains of a Roman tomb have been discovered, which impresses with its long corridor, burial chamber and colorful floor mosaic.

The tomb and the remains of the ancient city of Diocletian are well preserved and located in a suitable park area of ​​the town of Hissarya, which makes them convenient for visits.