The beginnings of #Cluj-Napoca seen through archeological vestiges

The city of Cluj-Napoca has a long and fascinating history that started many millennia ago. There is evidence that the area was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic, more specifically, starting with the years 6.000-5.500 B.C. Around this time there seems to have been some sort of settlement at Gura Baciului, nearby Cluj-Napoca. There was another one on the present day Memorandumului Street (which starts from Saint Michael’s Church) and a tomb in Mănăştur, (a neighborhood in the city) also from the Neolithic. The area was further inhabited, fact that is attested by the Thracian-Dacian and Celtic remnants discovered here.  

All these discoveries prove that the history of Cluj-Napoca begins many years before the Roman occupation. In fact, at the time of the invasion, there presumably existed a settlement called Napuca or Napoca on this land. The Romans destroyed it and founded another one in its place on the right bank of the River Somes. They kept the name however.

One of the first vestiges from the Roman period is a milestone found in Aiton village, on the road that led to Potaissa (present day Turda). The inscription said that the distance to the latter was of M.P.X., which equals 14.8 kilometers. The important bit is “A POTAISSA naPOCAE. Millia Passuum X”, which supposedly means that „from Potaissa to Napoca there are 14.8 km”. However, the fact that the distance between Aiton and Turda is also 14.8 km, suggests the hypothesis that Napoca was in fact a larger settlement that included Potaissa. A replica of the milestone can be found in Turda.

Some of the most important Roman remains in Cluj-Napoca can be found at Union Square. These date from between the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. and were part of the central square of the city of Napoca.  Today they are covered by glass for protection and are electrically illuminated.

Other important vestiges were excavated in Museum’s Square. This set includes vestiges from before the Roman conquest, Roman necropolises from centuries 2-4 A.D., but feudal and medieval remains as well. The diggings started in the 19th century and unearthed inscriptions, altars, tombstones and statues.

A more recent discovery was made in Stephen the Great Square. The most important pieces at this site are the ruins of a 300 year-old reformed church that was built at the end of the 17th century. The diggings also revealed a wall and ceramic objects from the Roman occupation.  

Sources:

“Vestigii romane, descoperite in Cluj”, Ziare.com, 27 July 2011, Available at:  http://www.ziare.com/magazin/descoperire/vestigii-romane-descoperite-in-cluj-1110238 , Accessed: 05.25.2015

“Ruine de construcții romane”, Oraşulcluj.ro, 29 January 2013, Available at: orasulcluj.ro/unde-iesim/obiective-turistice/situri-arheologice/ruine-de-constructii-romane/, Accessed: 05.25.2015

“Miliarul de la Aiton”, AfaceriArdelene.ro, Available at: http://www.afaceriardelene.ro/subpagini/Miliarul-de-la-Aiton-despre-miliarul-Aiton , Accessed: 05.25.2015

Almasi, Eliza, “Bar pe ruinele romane din Piata Muzeului. Vestigiile inca nu au fost amenajate”, Ziar de Cluj, 04 March 2014, Available at: http://www.ziardecluj.ro/bar-pe-ruinele-romane-din-piata-muzeului-vestigiile-inca-nu-au-fost-amenajate , Accessed: 05.25.2015

“Vestigii romane descoperite pe santierul viitorului Inspectorat Scolar Cluj. Lucrarile au fost sistate”, Ştiri de Cluj, Available at: http://www.stiridecluj.ro/social/vestigii-romane-descoperite-pe-santierul-viitorului-inspectorat-scolar-cluj-lucrarile-au-fost-sistate , Accessed: 05.25.2015