Justiniana Prima

Justiniana Prima is the archaeological remains of a Byzantine city founded by Emperor Justinian I in the mid-6th century AD as an archiepiscopal and administrative centre in the central Balkans. The site lies in southern Serbia and is notable for monumental ecclesiastical and civic remains.

The excavated site includes the foundations and partial walls of a large basilica (cathedral), an associated baptistery, an episcopal palace and sections of city fortification and street plan. The scale of the uncovered buildings demonstrates the city’s role as a regional metropolitan centre in the 6th century.

Founded by imperial decree in the 6th century AD under Justinian I, the city served as an archbishopric and provincial administrative centre. It flourished in the Byzantine period and declined after the 7th-century disruptions associated with Avar and Slavic incursions.

Ruins of Justiniana Prima lie near the modern municipality of Lebane in southern Serbia, on the central-Serbia plain. The site is roughly southwest of the city of Niš and is accessed from regional roads serving the Lebane area.

• Founding period: Founded by imperial initiative in the 6th century AD and identified through archaeological excavation as a major Byzantine provincial centre.
• Main remains: Excavations have exposed a cathedral, baptistery, episcopal palace and city fortifications; many finds are exhibited locally in regional museums.

What to See #

• Basilica / Cathedral: Excavated basilica and cathedral complex are among the best-preserved structures, with foundations and walls defining the plan of a large metropolitan church and associated porticoes.
• Baptistery: The baptistery complex includes a central baptismal basin and associated rooms typical of an episcopal seat from the Byzantine period.
• Episcopal complex: Remains of the episcopal palace and administrative buildings surround the main church complex and illustrate the city's role as a regional ecclesiastical centre in the 6th century.
• City walls and streets: Sections of the city fortifications and the street grid exposed by excavation show the planned layout of an early Byzantine provincial city.