"Golemo Gradište" is the name of a high elongated hill along the southern bank of the Kriva River, in the area of the Kratovo village of Konjuh. On the flattened plateau at the top of the hill and at its foot are the remains of a large fortified town dating to Late Antiquity (5th-7th century). The first knowledge of the existence of this site was obtained in the first half of the 20th century, after the accidental discovery of the church "Rotunda", by the inhabitants of the village of Konjuh, in 1919, as well as from the numerous columns and worked stones, excavated from the site and built into some of the houses of the locals that can still be seen today.
Archaeological studies and surveys carried out in the middle and second half of the 20th century reveal that this city covered an area of about 17 hectares, had an acropolis and two residential terraces on the northern and southern slopes of the hill, which were protected by strong defensive ramparts. According to historical and archaeological records, the fortification was erected/strengthened during the reign of Emperor Justinian, in the middle of the 6th century; the city was a wealthy economic, administrative and religious center in this part of the Balkans and the Roman province of Dardania, the second largest city after Scupi (Skopje). The monumental church complex discovered on the north terrace, and the residence in its immediate vicinity testify to the economic power of the city in the mid-6th century. This prosperity was due to its strategic geographical location, on the very tripoint of the provinces of Dardania, Macedonia Secunda and Dacia Mediterranea, along a main trade route leading from Scupi to Pautalia (Kyustendil) and Serdica (Sofia), as well as to the proximity of the ore deposits of Kratovo, rich in gold, silver, copper, and iron ores that were extensively exploited during the Roman period. As for the identity of this city, there are two theories that identify it as Tranupara or Zapara.
The site and its surroundings were inhabited from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. On the northern residential terrace, under the remains of late Roman buildings, artifacts from the Neolithic, Iron Age and Classical periods have been discovered. There is not enough data for an early Roman phase of settlement on the northern terrace, which is why it is believed that the city was built in the late 5th or early 6th century. After years of prosperity the city suffered in military sieges by the Slavs, and by the beginning of the 7th century, the inhabitants had left this area, moving to the safety of the acropolis.
We do not know about the continuity of urban life in Golemo Gradište in the early Middle Ages, until the 14th century; that period is evidenced by coin finds and historical data about the town of Konjuh, where traders stopped with their caravans. This caravan route, probably not at all or very slightly modified, was in use until the 19th century, but the determination of its location, as well as the location of the medieval town of Konjuh, represent a new stage in the systematic research of the site of Golemo Gradište.
In the vicinity of the village of Konjuh, villagers uncovered the remains of a church with a trapezoidal shape, which science would later identify as an architectural curiosity of the Balkans—the Rotunda, from the 6th century CE.
Professor S. Radojčić visited the Rotunda and published it in a scholarly journal in 1952.
Professor I Mikulčić carried out survey in the vicinity of Golemo Gradište, during which he created a plan of the site.
The Institute for Preservation of the Monuments of Culture in Skopje (today the National Conservation center) carried out test excavations in and around the Rotunda and prepared a project for conservation of the church.
During the laying out of the railroad line Skopje-Sofia, in the locality of K’šla, not far from the site of Golemo Gradište, graves of the Iron Age and Roman period were discovered, as well as a small basilica containing a vaulted tomb within the area of the necropolis.
Survey of the site was carried out by an international team of archaeologists, from the Museum of Macedonia in Skopje and Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, USA.
Beginning of the long-term international project for the site of Golemo Gradište, in cooperation between the Museum of Macedonia and Gettysburg College; the project began with investigation of the acropolis. Archaeological excavations at the Acropolis revealed the remains of fortification walls, cistern for water, pathways, staircases, and buildings foundations cut in the bedrock, as well as many movable finds dating the site to the 6 th and the 7 th centuries AD.
Test trenches confirm the presence of the main urban area on the northern terrace. Trenches 2 and 15 revealed Neolithic layers and artifacts, which are evidence of the oldest habitation on the terrace in the 5th millennium BC.
Investigations continued on the northern plateau, where the main urban settlement was located.
Discovery of the “Large” or “Episcopal” Basilica in the central part of the plateau.
Investigations at the southeastern edge of the hill K’šla for determining the borders of the Roman cemetery.
Discovery of a baptistry within an apsidal room next to the south side of the Episcopal Basilica.
The site Golemo Gradište was nominated in the “7 Most Endangered” program and was shortlisted as European cultural heritage in danger by the organization Europa Nostra. Discovery of a small one-aisle church on the western slope of Malo Gradište.
Excavation of the square building attached to the Episcopal Basilica.
Discovery of the ancient stone quarry above the village of Dimonce.
Discovery of rock-cut cist graves on the western slope of Golemo Gradište; Completion of excavation in the small one-aisle church, revealed in 2013 on the western slope of Malo Gradište.
Completion of investigation in the square building attached to the Episcopal Basilica. Discovery of a narthex of a second church at the northern edge of the northern terrace (sector II)
To all our distiguished colleagues (co-directors, trench supervisors and technicians) and students we express our gratitude for their participation, profesionalism, devotion and enthusiasm given during the project:
Former project directors:
Specialists and Trench supervisors:
Conservation and technical documentation:
Student Staff Members:
