Picture of the week: The arches of the Burnum principium in Dalmatia (Croatia)

I just got back from a one week holiday in Croatia. I had a fabulous time exploring wonderful places which will certainly be the subject of future posts.

This photo was taken at the archaeological site of Burnum, a Roman Legionary camp located nearby the natural beauties of the Krka National park. The camp was erected at the turn of the new era at a strategically important position from which the Romans could control the crossing over the Krka river, called Titius in Roman times. It was once the camp of the 11th Legion of the Roman army, Claudia Pia Fidelis and was succeeded by the 4th legion, Flavia Felix. Auxiliary units (cohorts) were also stationed here.

Epigraphic monuments indicate that during Hadrian’s era, in 118 AD, Burnum became a municipium (municipium Burnistarum) and the population grew around the camp.

Visitors today can see the arches of the headquarters of the camp and the only military amphitheatre in Croatia (see picture here). Weapons, tools and objects of everyday use belonging to soldiers and civilian inhabitants are on display in the new Burnum museum (open to the public since 2010).