Last night we had folk dance ensemble “Talija” from Belgrade come on board and perform for us. They were the most energetic group we have ever seen.
Today we docked in Kostolac a small Serbian town, but once in ancient times when it was known as Viminacium it was a favourite vacation retreat for the Roman Emperors. Early in the first century the Romans established a military camp here on the Mlava River close to where it empties into the Danube. Viminacium became the seat of one of the legions guarding the border of the Roman Empire and later the capital of the province. It was built on territory belonging to the Celtic Scordisci tribe. The Romans thought the Danube the second largest river in Europe a protective border between the civilized and the barbaric world.
As the Roman Moesia Superior Province declined so did Viminacium and was completely destroyed by the Huns in the 5th century.
Today about 11% of the regions electricity comes from the coal fired power stations in Kostolac. The thermal power plants use fuel lignite produced at the local open pit mines for electric power production.
800 acres of archaeological site, much of it pastoral land today, is the focus of our visit. They have excavated wide streets, luxurious villas, extensive baths, an amphitheatre, and an aqueduct more than 10 km long. 32,000 finds have been deposited into museums over the past 25 years including silver and gold jewellery, glass tableware etc.
This piping system is steam from the power plant being transported to the homes to provide heating. An amazing concept.
Viminacium’s cemetaries and imperial muselium.
This is a picture of the excavation sites and how they protect them from the elements.
Roman Public latrine and thermal baths.
Even in Serbia there are eccentric people building strange or interesting things.
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