Mediana
Mediana is an archaeological site close to former luxury suburb of Naisus, contemporary Niš. Mediana was established in late 3rd – early 4th century. During the rule of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337) Mediana flourished. In the beginning of 4th century Naisus was overcrowded and lost its attraction, so rich Romans decide to move to Mediana, adopting old villas or building new rich villas. Those villas were sumptuously constructed and decorated with mosaics, patios and courtyards were decorated with fountains and sculptures of gods. Mediana turns into a luxury suburb with developed economics and agriculture which can be proven by the remains: villas, barn, craft center, water supply and irrigation systems.
Water tower that supplied Mediana with water was a complex construction quite advanced for that time. Lead pipes supplied villas, with water and filled in irrigation reservoirs. Other water pipes supplied villas and thermae with warm healing water from Niška Banja well.
Christian tradition and Constantine’s influence were common in Mediana which was proven by two finds: in 2000 and 2007 archeologists discovered two churches from the 4th century with Christ’s monogram mosaics.
