A Roman emperor built a palace in honor of his mother: The secrets of Serbia's Felix Romuliana site

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

One of the most important historical sites in Serbia - Felix Romuliana - is located near the town of Zajecar.

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This imperial palace was the residence of the Roman emperor Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximilian, and he named it after his mother Romula. Emperor Maximilian wanted to build something that would last forever in honor of the woman who gave him life and whom he admired immensely.

However, illness prevented him from completing the palace, but despite that, it was the most luxurious building of his time.

After the death of this Roman emperor, the magnificent estate was given to the management of the Christian church. In the 5th century the palace was demolished by barbarians, while a century later it was rebuilt as a fortress. The last time Felix Romuliana was revived was as a fortified Slavic settlement in the 11th century, and then it was abandoned.

At the beginning of the sixth decade of the last century, extensive archeological research began, which showed that there are several palaces and temples within the Gamzigrad ramparts. Although it was initially thought to be a Roman military camp, when mosaics, jewelry and coins were discovered, it was clear that it had a completely different purpose. Which one - that was not known.

The mystery was finally revealed in June 1984, when a stone with the inscription Felix Romuliana was found.

This site has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since June 2007.

Photo: Ivan Strahinic

(Telegraf.rs)