We learned about the history of Stobi - about the architecture and the mosaics - and about the technology (how the steam was created for the men's baths...and about the cistern in the library that collected water to travel to the women's bath) - and about the lifestyles and customs of those in ancient Stobi.
You can learn more on the Archeological Site Stobi webite. There is information in English -- and more pictures -- and even an interactive map.
http://www.stobi.mk/
And here is the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Muni.Stobi/
We also learned that there is a Balkan Heritage Field School. You can apply to work/study in Stobi for a 4-week summer program. Here is a link to more information (and application) for the program. It sounds great! In addition to the field work in Stobi, there are lectures and also field trips to the other sites in this region.
https://www.bhfieldschool.org/project/STOBIexc
I wish there were shorter programs geared towards tourists. I would love to go back and participate! but could not manage 4 week academic program.
It is believed that only 20% of the city has been excavated - so this work will continue for some time. Perhaps I can put this on my List of things I want to do after I retire.
The US Embassy in Macedonia has invested in the restoration of the mosaics at Stobi. Check out this short video:
https://www.facebook.com/USEmbassyMacedonia/videos/10154984482742157/
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| the peacocks in this baptistry are on the 10 MKD note (and the 10 MKD coin) - they symbolize everlasting life |
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| map of the site - it is believed that only about 20% of the city has been excavated |
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| this theater is from the 2nd Century |
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| this is the entrance to the theater, as theater-goers entered to get to their seats 2,000 years ago |
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| it was awe-inspiring entering the theater this way (I felt the same way as when I climbed inside the pyramids in Giza) |
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| how patrons identified their reserved seats, 2,000 years ago -- their names were carved into the seats |
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| imagining the kinds of shows that were performed here - dramas - gladiators - persecution of Christians |
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| this wall used to protect theater-goers from wild animals in the arena |
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| this is what has been excavated so far - but it is believed that this theater had the capacity of 7.600 |
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| the basilica - believed to be the oldest Christian church in Macedonia |
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| the baptistry -with the beautiful mosaics - with images of deer and peacocks -- the peacocks are symbols of everlasting life -- and the deer are thought to invoke Psalm 41 |
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| the peacocks are on the 10 MKD note and the 10 MKD coins -- pretty cool to see the mosaics in person! (like when we saw Sv Sophia in Ohrid, which is on the 1,000 MKD ntoe) |
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| not everything was old and sandy....we saw this bright green lizard as we walked around the site |
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| here you can see a seat/stairs from the theater -- re-appropriated. (after this became a Christian town the theater was covered over - but not before its marble could be used to construct the basilica - and used in other parts of town) |
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| you can see the pool to the rear of this building - and the archways where there were statues on display - several important artifacts excavated during Yugoslav times are (not surprisingly) in Belgrade -- and other artifacts are in Skopje (I think we saw some when we toured the Museum of Archeology) - but there are plans underway to build a museum on this site in Stobi |
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| this was the library - unfortunately prone to flooding, due to its proximity to the river |
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| here you can see the methodology of the archeologists conducting the excavations |
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