Tauresium, Archaeological site in Zelenikovo Municipality, North Macedonia
Tauresium is an ancient site in Zelenikovo Municipality in North Macedonia that includes wall remains, foundations, and stone building elements on a hillside near Taor village. The ruins spread across terraced areas and show traces of houses, workshops, and public buildings that have been uncovered in several excavation campaigns.
The settlement emerged during the late Roman period and developed into a regional center with fortifications and infrastructure. After the year 518, the place lost importance and was later replaced by a nearby fortress built under the Byzantine emperor.
The ruins carry the name of an old settlement once regarded as the birthplace of powerful rulers and later featured in regional legends. Local residents have known the hill for generations and connect it with stories about early Christian times and the Byzantine heritage of the region.
The site lies about 20 kilometers from Skopje and can be reached via a country road toward Zelenikovo. Access is along unpaved paths on the hillside, so sturdy shoes are recommended and caution is advised during wet weather.
Findings of coins and pottery suggest trade contacts with the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. Some objects come from workshops in Thessaloniki and Constantinople, pointing to far-reaching connections.
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