Archaeological site Medijana

Mediana was built on the left bank of the Nisava, next to one of the most important roads, Via Militaris. It was located between the urban Naisus and the thermal springs of Niška Banja and occupied an area of over 40 hectares. During the 4th century, the overcrowded Naisus, surrounded by walls and towers, ceased to be an attractive place to live for its wealthier citizens, so they spent more and more time on their estates in Mediana. There they built new or adapted old villas, which served them for rest and enjoyment. Over time, villas change their purpose, so from places for temporary residence, they become places for luxurious living outside the city. The central place on Mediana is occupied by a villa with a peristyle, the most luxurious building of a residential character. The villa was most likely built by order of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great, in order to create conditions for himself, members of his family and numerous high imperial officials to stay during his visit to Naisus. The entire complex of the villa was surrounded by a high wall and occupied an area of 4.7 hectares, and one-seventh of the total area was paved with mosaics. Most of the mosaics had decorative, geometric motifs, and some of them can still be seen on Mediana. The two best-preserved mosaics that attract special attention are the mosaics with figural depictions of the mythological, river deity Fluvius and the head of Medusa. Life and a temporary stay in the villa offered numerous possibilities - from the fact that its guests could perform state affairs here, to the possibility to rest, enjoy, and participate in a rich social life. The way of life in the villa is vividly evoked by the remains of buildings found on Mediana: the audience hall, which was a room intended for state affairs; porches and lavishly decorated gardens with fountains and pavilions; two smaller dining rooms which are supposed to have served the emperors for more intimate receptions and feasts; the baths, a Roman bath, were part of a villa used by the inhabitants of Mediana for body care and relaxation. The spa used warm, healing water that was brought from Niška Banja by lead pipes.