Ulpiana, also known as Justiniana Secunda, was an ancient Roman settlement in the former province of Moesia, founded by the Roman emperor Marcus Ulpius Traianus (98-117 AD). An Illyrian tribe settled in this fertile area as early as the 8th century BC, but archaeological finds suggest that it was already inhabited during the Bronze or Iron Age. Under Emperor Hadrian (117-138), Ulpiana, which was conveniently located at the intersection of important trade routes connecting Rome with Constantinople, had the status of a municipium and was thus subject to the imperial capital Rome in all matters. In the 3rd century AD, following an administrative reform by Emperor Diocletian, it belonged to the province of Dardania and experienced its heyday at that time.

After initial devastation and occupation by the Ostrogoths in the 5th century, an earthquake destroyed the city in 518. Emperor Justinian (527-565), who came from the region, initiated a rapid reconstruction and gave it the name Iustiniana Secunda. For its protection, the town was given city walls and a huge military camp, covering an area of over 120 hectares. At the same time, Iustiniana became a bishopric and played an important role in the spread of Christianity in the Dardanian region. Later, it became the titular bishopric of Ulpiana. After a brief period of renewed prosperity, the city was destroyed and abandoned during the Slavic invasions in the early 7th century.

Extensive excavations took place from 1953 to 1987. The walls, foundations of an early Christian basilica, mosaics and numerous sculptures were uncovered. In 1982, a cemetery dating back to the Iron Age, i.e. at least the 1st millennium BC, was discovered in the centre of the site. In the south of the city, the ruins of a building with beautiful mosaics were found during the laying of water pipes. In 1974, not far from the site, the tomb of a princess from the 3rd century BC was found in a hill, along with a small treasure trove of silver jewellery, perfume bottles and everyday objects. In the north of the site, one of the most impressive finds is an early historical necropolis with a huge marble sarcophagus.

In the years that followed, aerial photography was used to locate and describe further buildings without the need for expensive excavations, including a public bath, the forum, the baptistery and the bishop's residence. German and French archaeologists are now using modern geophysical probes to search the 100-hectare area, as it is believed that there is still a huge cultural treasure buried underground.

One of the most valuable finds alongside the ruins is a sculpture of a woman's head, 18 cm high, made of the finest white marble and crafted with great attention to detail. It dates from the 4th century. Its male counterpart is 33 cm high and was part of a life-size statue. The expressive modelling was created in the 3rd century. A small, plump, curly Eros head, 16 cm high, has not yet been assigned any meaning or exact date of origin. The ‘Tragic Mask’ is a very vivid and grotesquely designed prop for theatre performances, made of grey marble, a good 28 cm high and dating from the 2nd century.

Ulpiana is a very well-maintained, well-structured archaeological park, which takes about 1.5 hours to visit. There is a large car park in front of the site. Open Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., currently no admission fee.