Visit to Stobi

This weekend I was fortunate enough to visit the ruins of Stobi.

Stobi was an ancient town of the Kingdom of Paeonia, that would later be conquered by the Roman Empire. It is one of the most famous archeological sights in Macedonia, and one can see why when there.

Even without the mosaics exposed (they cover them at this time of the year to protect them from the elements), there is plenty to see in Stobi. The ruins are very interesting for anyone who is interested in doing cultural tourism or simply have an interest in history and historical sites.

There are a wealth of ruins in Stobi. The Northern Basilica, a 5th Century church made up by a narthex, an exonarthex and an atrium. South of the Northern Basilica you can find the Civil Basilica. In between the two there’s the Thermae Minores, the “Little Baths”. There are ruins for another basilica, the Episcopal Basilica, a 5th century basilica whose peacock floor is used on the back of the 10 denar banknote from 1996, and the 10 denar coin from 2008. Yet another basilica, is the Central Basilica. This basilica was built on top of a 4th Century synagogue on the 5th Century. That synagogue in turn, was built on top of an older, 3rd Century, synagogue.

In Valavica, you can walk through the half-circle where a lot of the shops were and then walk further in to the complex of connected shops and residences. It is also impressive to see the palaces and the houses of the major families. Furthermore, there is a good deal of very well preserved columns.

Stobi is well worth the visit, but, like with Heraclea Lyncestis, it might be best to visit during the tourist season so that you actually see the famous mosaics.

BÉRÉNICE KERMOAL