Remains of Salona, Solin

History. At the beginning Salona was harbor and coastal stronghold of Illyrian Delmats in vicinity of Tragurion and Epetion, colonies of Greeks from Issa.


Salona got colony status and became center of Dalmatian province after civil war between Caesar and Pompey in 48 BC. After putting down last Illyrian rebellion (Raising of Baton, since 6 - 9AD) Salona enters a period of peace and prosperity.

Architecture and development. Old city center was of trapeze shape and surrounded by walls and towers originating from 2nd century BC. Today it has only remained eastern part of the walls  built from stone blocks along with gates (Porta Caesarea). Forum was built in southeast part of the city, as a centre of public, political, and religious life. Theatre was erected in forum’s vicinity with capacity of 3500 spectators. Depiction of Salona with its theatre can be seen on Trajan’s Column in Rome. In the south of the theatre was a previously built temple. According to Roman  tradition, necropolis was formed near roads that led outside the town. The most famous one was named In Horto Metrodori, located near road leading to Tragurion, famous for cyclopian construction of surrounding walls of tombs. From 1st century AD city was expanding. Due to Germanic threat walls were surrounded and fortified with square towers. City finally gets an elliptical shape now with axis of 1600m (east-west) and around 700m (north-south). Aqueduct was incorporated within the walls giving secure supply of water to the city from Jadro river since 1st century BC. The most monumental building was amphitheater built in second half of 2nd century.

Amphitheater. This Roman edifice, where gory battles of gladiators and beasts took place, could seat 19 000 spectators. In substructures of auditorium, two shrines of Nemesis, Goddess of Faith and Revenge that gladiators worshiped, were revealed. Later on, Christians transformed these shrines into memorial chapels in memory of Christian martyrs killed in the arena.

During the period of Emperor Diocletian many edifices were built, Forum, temples and thermae renewed, and amphitheatre added. Salona with its surroundings counted over 60 000 inhabitants, and the cosmopolitan spirit prevailed in the city. Apart from the official Roman religion, in Salona coexisted different oriental believes as well as the cults of Isis and Kibela. Especially was spread worshiping of Mitre, deity of Sun from Asia Minor, whose shrines have been found on several locations within city.