Information About

Sarmizegetusa




The fortress, a quadrilateral formed by massive stone blocks ( Murus Dacicus ), was constructed on five terraces, on an area of almost 30,000 m&2. Sarmizegetusa also had a sacred precinct -- among the most important and largest circular and rectangular Dacian sanctuaries the famous Circular Calendar Sanctuary is included.

The civilians lived around the fortress, down the mountain on man-made terraces. Dacian nobility had flowing water, brought through ceramic pipes, in their residences. The archaeological inventory found at the site shows that Dacian society had a high standard of living.

The Dacian capital reached its acme under Decebalus , the Dacian king defeated by the Roman Empire after two wars ( 101 - 102 and 105 - 106 ), led by Emperor Trajan . After the defeat of the Dacians, the conquerors established a military garrison there. Later, the capital of Roman Dacia was named after the Dacian capital - Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa, established 40 km from the ruined Dacian capital.

All the Six Fortresses - Sarmizegetusa, Blidaru , Piatra Roşie , Costeşti , Căpâlna and Baniţa - that formed the defensive system of Decebalus are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • Sarmizegetusa is also the name of a commune in modern day Romania, in the Ţara Haţegului depression, Hunedoara county, where the ruins of Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa are located.



EXTERNAL LINKS