Tabula Traiana, Ancient Roman inscription in Tekija, Serbia
Tabula Traiana is a marble inscription carved into a rock face along the Danube near Tekija, featuring Latin text and relief carvings. The tablet now sits about 50 meters higher than its original location and displays detailed stonework created by Roman craftspeople.
Emperor Trajan ordered this monument built in the 2nd century to record the construction of a road through the Danube gorge. That road was crucial for Roman control and travel through this strategically important region.
The inscription reflects how Romans marked their control over conquered lands and displayed their administrative reach. It shows how important the Danube corridor was to the empire and how it used such monuments to assert its presence.
The site is remote and requires advance planning and contact with the local tourism office in Kladovo. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and allow extra time, as the viewing takes place along a rock face.
The monument was moved 50 meters higher in the 20th century to protect it from flooding caused by a dam. This relocation saved one of the most important records of Roman presence in the region from being destroyed by water.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
