Oescus, Archaeological site in Gigen, Bulgaria
Oescus is an ancient Roman city that extends across a plateau beside the Danube River, with visible remains of streets, columns, and defensive walls. The most important artifacts are now kept in museums in Pleven and Sofia, while the site itself reveals the layout and structure of the settlement.
The city was founded in 106 AD by Emperor Trajan as a Roman colony and served as a military base for Legion V Macedonica. It became an important trading post on the Danube and maintained its strategic role for several centuries.
A public building's mosaic depicts three masked performers in a scene from Menander's comedy The Achaeans. This artwork reveals the theatrical interests and artistic tastes of those who lived here.
The excavation site sits within a fenced area near Gigen village and can be explored on foot. To best understand the finds, visit the museums where the main artifacts are displayed.
A bridge from Constantine's era connected the city to the opposite shore across the Danube, featuring an impressive span supported by stone piers. Today only traces of this engineering feat remain visible in the river, testament to Roman building capabilities.
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