Antique Roman town Diocletianopolis
The Ancient Roman town of Diocletianopolis (Latin: Diocletianopolis, Greek: Διοκλητιανούπολις) had been located under the modern town of Hissarya (Plovdiv province). It was created in I century AD when Thrace was conquered by the Roman Empire. The name of the town comes from the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who in 293 AD was established here because of the curative mineral waters in the region.
In the beginning of IV century were built fortress walls around the town which had a total length of 2327 meters, thickness of 2.60 to 4 meters and a height up to 12.5 meters. The guarded area was about 20 000m2. and there were 44 towers, 4 main and 6 additional gates.
After the collapse of the Roman Empire the city remains in the realm of Byzantium until the end of VI - beginning of VII century when it was destroyed after invasions of Slavs and Avars.
Nowadays there can be seen relatively well preserved remains of the south and west gates of the fortress Diocletianopolis. About 300 meters south of the fortified city, were discovered remains of Roman Necropolises, which impresses with its long corridor, a burial chamber and colorful terrazzo.
The of Diocletianopolis fortress and Necropolises are well preserved and exposed in a park area of today`s town of Hissar, making it convenient for visitors.
