DUKLJA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (DUKLJA RUŠEVINE)

This archaeological site contains the ruins of the ancient city of Duklija (Latin name, Doclea), the forerunner of present-day Podgorica. It is the best preserved and most interesting Roman city in the country and is therefore of great interest to all lovers of ancient history. Built at the crossing of three rivers (Morača, Zeta and Širalija), this city was founded in the very early 1st century AD, when the Romans defeated the Illyrian tribe of Docleati. It was a powerful centre of the Roman province of Dalmatia in the 1st and 2nd centuries, and with the re-division of the Roman Empire in 297 it became the capital of the province of Prevalitania. Its influence began to decline in the 4th and^5th centuries due to the barbarian invasions. Research carried out by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans between 1875 and 1882 brought to light a vast necropolis. This discovery confirmed the importance of the city in the past, as it showed that between 8,000 and 10,000 people at least lived in this city, a real economic crossroads of the Roman Empire. Moreover, the ruins suggest the presence of a large forum, a basilica and several public buildings (temples, villas, baths) along the main street. Little or poorly protected in the past, this site has unfortunately been plundered many times and many of its remains have now disappeared for good.