Sremska Mitrovica

Sirmium was one of the four capitals of the late Roman Empire under the tetrarchy, a city where several emperors were born or proclaimed and where an imperial palace, a hippodrome, baths and workshops stood; the modern town of Sremska Mitrovica sits directly on top of it, which means archaeology happens in fragments whenever building work opens the ground. The main site open to visitors is the imperial palace complex, covered and displayed with mosaics and hypocaust floors in situ under a modern roof in the town centre. The Museum of Srem holds sculpture, glass and the gold finds. Elsewhere, sections of wall and granary appear between buildings. It takes imagination, but the scale of what lies beneath an ordinary provincial town is the interesting part.

History

Traces of settlement go back to 5000 BC, and as Sirmium the city became capital of Pannonia Inferior in 103 and one of the four capitals of the empire under the tetrarchy of 293. Ten Roman emperors were born in or near it, and four Christian councils were held here (Wikipedia, Sremska Mitrovica).

What's there

• The imperial palace - mosaics and heated floors displayed in situ.
• The Museum of Srem - sculpture, glass and gold from the city.
• Fragments in the streets - wall and building remains between houses.
• The Sava riverfront - the town's waterfront and promenade.

When to go

April to October for comfortable walking between the sites. The palace display is covered and works in any weather. Museums close one day a week, usually Monday.

Practical notes

The Roman city is mostly underground and what is visible is scattered and fragmentary. Interpretation is limited in English. The modern town is plain. Excavations open and close, so some sites may be inaccessible without notice.

Nearby

Zasavica reserve lies south; Belgrade is east.

Key facts