Caričin grad

Caricin grad - Most important information

The town of Caricin grad, or Justiniana Prima is about 30 kilometers from Leskovac, near Prekopcelica. It is a Byzantine city from the 6th century, believed to have been founded by Justinian V. The site covers a plateau of 42,000 m2. In addition, it was the ecclesiastical and administrative-administrative center of the entire northern Illyricum and a powerful military fortress.

The history of Caricin grad

At the time of its creation and greatest strength, Caricin grad was surrounded by ramparts. The inner ramparts that divide the city into three architectural units have also been discovered. Those three units make up the Upper Town, the Lower Town, and the Acropolis, which was in the service of the archbishopric.

Caricin grad had thermal baths and sewage: outside the ramparts, in this part of the city, thermal baths were discovered, which were connected to the other part of the city by the eastern gate. The streets and the square were paved with stone, and under the excavated streets were the remains of the sewage system.
In the 6th century, the city was the center of Byzantine power in the Balkans: Apart from the fact that Caricin grad was the administrative and ecclesiastical center of Byzantine power, it was also a mighty military fortress in the Balkans. However, the city was destroyed already in the 7th century by the onslaught of Avars and Slavs.

The importance of Caricin grad

Since no other settlement was built on the ruins of Caricin grad, the city maintained the pure foundation of the early Byzantine and Christian fortifications.

Caricin grad has been declared an immovable cultural asset: Caricin grad represents a unique cultural monument, and it is the starting point when examining the late antique and early Byzantine heritage on the soil of Serbia. Therefore, the town has tremendous archaeological importance for the country.

How to get to Caricin grad?

Caricin grad is close to Leskovac, and it is possible to reach it by car. Driving to Caricin grad will take about 40 minutes.

By car: If your starting point is the central part of Leskovac, follow route 39 to Lebane, from where you need to join route 432. From there, follow the road to Stulac and Prekopcelica, near this locality.