The Roman Castrum of Porolissum is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the country. Despite its imposing dimensions, the castrum has been preserved very well in time, perhaps also thanks to the fact that it was used for a long time after its construction.
Porolissum used to be an old Roman city in Dacia, being used as a military camp starting from 106, when Trajan waged war against the Dacians and the other cities around. After the denouement of the Daco-Roman wars, the city became the capital city of Dacia Porolissensis province, due to its strong economic activity in those times.
The citadel benefits from a stone foundation, only the roof being made of wood. It is estimated that almost 500 soldiers could be accommodated inside. Although the name reminds of Dacian origins, archaeological diggings have proved that no Dacian settlement existed here before the building of the Roman castrum in 106.
After becoming the capital city of the province in 124, Porolissum will later be “municipium”, which means that inside its walls, rulers and traders could work independently.
The castrum was abandoned after the Aurelian Retreat, but excavations show that it was inhabited for a long time after 271 and that Dacians settled around it after the wars. Inscriptions with the names of important figures of those times were discovered – Daco-Roman names.
Apart from the actual citadel, traces of the military installations used, as well as remains of the Daco-Roman city were found, such as public baths, a temple dedicated to Liber Patern, the Porolissum Amphitheatre, as well as a few human settlements.
The Roman castrum of Porolissum can be found in Salaj County, more accurately, in Magura Pomat, in Moigrad Prolissum Village, Mirsid Common, Strada Castrului, a perfect address to reach by car. Rent the best vehicle with us!