- Address: Podgorica, Duklja, Montenegro
- The period of existence of the city: I - VII centuries.
Montenegro is a heavenly place to relax in the heart of Europe. Warm Adriatic Sea and comfortable pebble beaches , beautiful nature and interesting sights . It should be noted that among the defensive walls, ancient cities and churches, the archaeological monument of Dukla stands out.
What is Dukla?
Dukla, Diocleia (Diocleia) is an ancient Roman city in Montenegro, located on the Zeta plain between three rivers : Zeta, Moraci and Shiralaya. The city was founded in the I century and was a strategic object of the Roman Empire. It was built water and sewage, and lived about 40 thousand inhabitants. It was a major shopping center. According to legend, it was here that the Roman emperor Diocletian was born.
In Latin, the city's name sounds like Doclea, it came from the name of the Illyrian tribe Docleati, which resided in this area before the arrival of the Romans. Later, the city passed under the rule of Byzantium. With the arrival of the Slavs in the city, the name was somewhat coarsened and turned into Dukla, and also spread to the entire region. And over time, the first Serbian state also began to be called Dukla.
The city of Diocleta was destroyed in the first half of the 7th century.
What is interesting about the ancient city of Dukla?
Today Diocleta's territory is a well-known all over the world archeological site. Active work here was conducted from the end of the XIX century by Russian scientists and until 1998. In the mid 60-ies of the twentieth century, more than 7 years, worked here and a group of British archaeologists led by the famous scientist Arthur John Evans. His records are considered the most important study in the archeology of Montenegro.
Excavations showed that in the old days the city of Dukla was surrounded by a massive fortress with towers. In the heart of the settlement was traditionally the city square. Traditionally on the west side there was a monumental basilica, and from the north side - a courthouse.
During the excavation work, some surviving fragments of buildings were found: the ruins of the bridge over the Moraca river, the triumphal arch, the palace building, the sarcophagi with bas-reliefs and the thermae. Of the surviving three temples, one was dedicated to the goddess Diana, the second to the goddess Roma. In the city necropolis managed to find everyday objects of the townspeople: tools, ceramic and glassware, weapons, coins and jewelry.
Sculptures and art fragments are proof of the former wealth of the year. The most valuable find of archaeologists - "The Bowl of Podgorica" - is stored in the Hermitage of St. Petersburg. Currently, Dukla expects to be included in the UNESCO list.
How to get there?
The ancient city of Dukla is geographically located about 3 km to the north-west from the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica . To get to the place of archaeological excavations is easier either by taxi (€ 10) or on a rented car . The journey takes about 10 minutes. The entrance is free, the object is surrounded by a symbolic mesh fence, but is not guarded.
If you want, you can book an excursion to the city of Dukla with a guide at any travel company.