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  • Naissus
Naissus, Serbia
I century B.C.

Roman and Byzantine city on the banks of the Nisava river. Founded by the Romans at the end of I century B.C. city was destroyed in 441 by the Huns, led by Attila. It was restored during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Nis is the birthplace of many Roman emperors. The most important among them is Constantine the Great, who in 313 allowed the Christian confession by Edict of Milan. In 2013 the 1700th anniversary of this event is celebrated. Constantine's mother Helena, in search of Christian relics in the Holy Land, according to legend, found a part of the Holy Cross. Roman military camp was built on the site of today's Turkish fortress. City was decorated with many monumental buildings. Next to the ancient city remains, there are vaulted tombs, richly decorated with frescoes of Christ's monogram, the figures of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the Heavenly fences. Ancient villa with Nimpheum is located in Mediana, a few kilometers from the city, embellished with valuable geometric mosaics representing winged Medusa and river deities.

The first settlement on the territory which is now known as Nis, was founded by Celts in the III century BC; the city was named Navisos after the river Nisava (Naisa) which the Celts called The Fairy’s River (Navisos). Romans conquered the city during Dardanian wars in I century BC The city was developing as strategic crossroads, military and trade center in the province of Moesia Superior.  In II century AD Nais was already well known city and Claudius Ptolemy in his Geography mentioned Nais as one of the four largest cities of Dardania.

In September 268 AD, the Roman Army led by the Emperor Gallienus and by two future kings, the Chief Commander Marcus Aurelius Claudius and Cavalry Commander Aurelian, clashed with the Goths near Nais. In that bloody battle, also known as the Battle of Nis, between 30,000 and 50,000 Goths were killed. It is believed that this victory secured the existence of the Western Empire for the next two centuries.

The son of a military commander Constantius Chlorus and Flavia Julia Helena – the future Emperor Constantine the Great was born in ancient City of Nais. The Emperor Constantine the Great built the imperial villa Mediana in his hometown around which the former members of the aristocracy built their villas. Today that area is an important archaeological site.

During the fourth century the diocese was founded in Nais thus making the city one of the most important religious centers of the Roman Empire. Basilica from IV century in Naisus is one of the oldest Christian monuments in the world.