Stobi (Стоби) – archaeological site

Stobi (Стоби, Στο’βοι,) is an urban settlement from ancient times located on the place where Crna River (Црна Река, Erigon) enters into the Vardar River (Вардар, Axios).

The site was crossed by important routes in the Balkans (Thessalonica, Sirmium, Heraclea Linkestis, Stobi, Pautalija, Serdica).

#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia

 

Contact

  • National Institution for Management of the Archaeological Site of Stobi – NI Stobi
  • Address:  Archaeological site Stobi, 1420 Gradsko, Macedonia
  • Email: contact@stobi.mk
  • Tel: +389 43 251 026
  • Fax: +389 43 251 050

Stobi was mapped to the famous Tabula Peutingeriana so that European explorers in the mid-XIX century could easily find its position. Archaeological excavations have been launched since the First World War and with occasional interruptions, they are carried until today.

Stobi Archaeological site - Macedonia

Although Stobi in the science is primarily known as an antique and early Byzantine city, the archaeological findings provide evidence of continued life in that place since the prehistoric eras.

From the deepest layers derived fragments of pottery with typological and stylistic features of the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age (XIII –  IX century BC).

Theatre #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

On many places are found samples of pottery and bronze jewelry produced in Iron Age, and certain graves dating from Classical Antiquity.

The oldest literary data for Stobi gave the Roman historian Titus Livius, noting the military victory of the Macedonian king Philip V over the Dardanian conquerors “near Stobi” in 197 BC. According to Livius, Stobi was “old city” and today’s archeology confirms this.

Immediately after the occupation of Macedonia by the Romans in 168 BC, Stobi became a center for salt traders from northern regions. Then, the city has been extended only to the highest part of the site, a small area of 3.5 to 4 acres.

The Episcopal Basilica #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

 

During therule of August Octavian, Stobi suddenly expanded to 20 acres, received a new fortification and status of Oppidum civium Romanorum, and the 69th year already had a municipal administrative rank, which is marked by the copper money – Stobi Mint, which worked until early III century.

During the early and middle Roman Empire, Stobi experienced high economic growth. Then the most representative buildings were built: the City Gate, the house called “Casa Romana” monumental theater, forum, and more.

Via Sacra #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

 

The community of Jews that were settled in Stobi have built a synagogue. General prosperity and well-being were violently suppressed by the military conquest and devastation of Heruls and Goths in years 267/269.

Later the city is slowly restored, winning the Late Antique period varied pattern of urban East – Mediterranean-type, with irregular neighborhoods and big houses with indoor Peristile courtyard, decorated with lavish fountains and mosaic floors.

#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

 

Stobi city became influential in the early Christian period as the Episcopal Church Center which had an important role in establishing the new state religion. For the first church council in Nicaea in 325 attended the Stobi bishop Budios.

Until now are discovered four early Christian churches in the city and three outside its walls. Most have a baptistery. Among them is the biggest and most luxurious Basilica of Bishop Philip of the first half of the V century, built on an older church with two chronological phases.

 

It is known that the Emperor Theodosius I, stayed in 388 in Stobi and had issued two edicts for strict regulation of religious matters, but saw a learned philosopher and citizen of Stobi –  John, who in the early V century still adhered to the old spiritual tradition.

During the V and VI century, Stobi was repeatedly subjected to destruction.

In the year 447 Stobi was captured by the Huns and in 479 AD was robbed by the military east Goth King Theodoric the Great.

In the early VI century, Stobi was destroyed by an earthquake and since then continued to exist without the former city landmarks.

On the site are found many depots with hidden money from the eighth and ninth decade of the last century VI, with tangible traces of life in Stobi, which definitely diminished coincides with the entrance of the Avars and Slavs in the Balkans.

Location

Photo Gallery - Part 1

Stobi Archaeological site - Macedonia

Stobi Archaeological site - Macedonia

#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia

Theatre

Theatre #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Theatre #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Theatre #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Theatre #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Part 2

THE EPISCOPAL BASILICA

The Episcopal Basilica #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

The Episcopal Basilica #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

The Episcopal Basilica #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
The Episcopal Basilica #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

VIA SACRA

Via Sacra #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Mosaic - Via Sacra #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Mosaic - #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Part 3

Via Sacra #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

The Semicircular Square #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Via Sacra #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Via Sacra #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Part 4

#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

THE THEODOSIAN PALACE

THE THEODOSIAN PALACE #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE THEODOSIAN PALACE #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE THEODOSIAN PALACE #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE THEODOSIAN PALACE #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE THEODOSIAN PALACE #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE THEODOSIAN PALACE #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE THEODOSIAN PALACE #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Part 5

Public Baths

Public Baths #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

THE HOUSE OF PERISTERIA

THE HOUSE OF PERISTERIA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF PERISTERIA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF PERISTERIA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF PERISTERIA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF PERISTERIA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF PERISTERIA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF PERISTERIA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

THE LARGE BATH

THE LARGE BATH #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE LARGE BATH #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

PUBLIC FOUNTAIN

PUBLIC FOUNTAIN #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
PUBLIC FOUNTAIN #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS

THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

THE SYNAGOGUE BASILICA

THE SYNAGOGUE BASILICA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE SYNAGOGUE BASILICA #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

PUBLIC FOUNTAIN

PUBLIC FOUNTAIN #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS

THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE HOUSE OF POLYCHARMOS #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

THE SMALL BATH

THE SMALL BATH #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE SMALL BATH #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
THE SMALL BATH #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Early Roman Building

Early Roman Building #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Early Roman Building #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Early Roman Building #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Early Roman Building #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Early Roman Building #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Early Roman Building #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Photo Gallery – Part 9

#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia

Photo Gallery – Part 10

The Casino

The Casino #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia
The Casino #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia

Temple of Isis

Temple of Isis #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
Temple of Isis #Stobi Archaeological site #Macedonia
#Stobi Archaeological site - #Macedonia

 Theatre