Sarmisegetuza Regia was the capital of pre-Roman Dacia located in the Orastie Mountains at an altitude of 1,200 meters. It contained a citadel, living areas, and a sacred zone with various temples and sanctuaries, including a large circular sanctuary resembling Stonehenge. Nearby was Ulpia Traiana Sarmisegetuza, the capital of Roman Dacia founded around 108-110 AD, which served as the political, administrative, and religious center with a population of 20,000-25,000 within fortified walls. Both sites provide remains that have helped archaeologists understand Dacian and Roman civilization in the region.

1. Sarmisegetuza
One of treasures from my country
Five Senses Project

2. Sarmisegetusa Regia
 Sarmisegetuza Regia is
the name of the capital of
pre-Roman Dacia, actually
a complex of sanctuaries,
situated in The Mountains
of Orastie, at an altitude of
1,200 meters, from which
the most remarkable are
―Sanctuarul Mare Rotund‖
(Big Rounded Sanctuary)
and ―Soarele de andezit‖
(The Andesito Sun).

3.  Most of the archeologists assert that the city was raised in
between the 3rd and the 2nd century before Christ, while
others sustain that it would be at least 600 years older than
that. One of the reasons of this dispute could be the striking
resemblance of the Big Rounded Sanctuary with those of
Stonehenge. It seems that the same architect has conceived
them both, the only difference being that the one from
Orastie is smaller. Then, The Andesito Sun can be easily
resembled to the famous Maya calendar.
Sarmizeget
usa
Sanctuary

4. Solar disk
Murus
dacicus
limestone
sanctuary
Dacian water

5.  Sarmizegetusa Regia contained a citadel and living areas




with dwellings and workshops, but it also contained a sacred
zone.
The fortress, a quadrilateral formed by massive stone blocks
(murus dacicus), was constructed on five terraces, on an
area of almost 30,000 m².
The sacred zone — among the most important and largest
circular and rectangular Dacian sanctuaries – includes a
number of rectangular temples, the bases of their supporting
columns still visible in regular arrays. Perhaps the most
enigmatic construction at the site is the large circular
sanctuary. It consisted of a ―D‖ – shaped setting of timber
posts, surrounded by a timber circle, which was surrounded
by a low stone kerb. The layout of the timber settings bears a
broad resemblance to the stone monument at the
Stonehenge in England.
The ―Andesite Sun‖ from the site seems to have been used
as a sundial. This idea is supported by known influences on
Dacian culture from Hellenistic Greece, influences which may
have included ideas about geometry and astronomy.
The civilians lived down from the fortress, in settlements built
on artificial terraces, such as the one at Feţele Albe. Dacian
nobility had flowing water, brought through ceramic pipes, in

6. Ulpia Traiana Sarmisegetusa
 At about 40 km away from Orastie
Mountains, in the department of
Sarmisegetuza, in the South- West of
the Hateg Depression, where are the
ruins of the other fortress bearing the
same name, capital of Roman Dacia,
also called Ulpia Traiana
Sarmisegetuza, founded by the
governor Terentius Scaurianus
between 108 – 110.
 The sieges of the governor, of the
administration, of the financial
system, of the military, economic and
religious centers were situated inside
the fortress. During the rule of
Emperor Hadrian (117-138),
Sarmisegetuza was called Colonia
Ulpia Traiana Sarmisegetuza, and
then during the period 222-235, to its

7.  From the very beginning it received the title of colonia
and the status of ius Italicum. With an area of 30
hectares (74 acres; 0.12 sq mi), a population between
20,000 and 25,000, and strong fortifications, Ulpia
Traiana was the political, administrative and religious
centre of Roman Dacia in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
 The city was destroyed by the Goths. Today Ulpia
Traiana remains in ruins, with a partly preserved forum,
an amphitheatre, and remnants of several temples.

9. Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulpia_Traiana_Sarmize
getusa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarmizegetusa_Regia
http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/
Mihaela – Gabriela Barbu
6th Grade, Dichiseni School
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This
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