Roman Villa at Mostine, Split & Roman Dalmatia

1. Discovery: Roman Villa at Mostine, Split

In early 2026, a significant Roman villa estate was unearthed in the Mostine area of Split, Croatia, in the region of Dalmatia, during archaeological excavations near a shopping mall. The discovery was made by archaeologist Eduard Viskovic and his team from the Kantharos group, who were conducting a routine check before further development of a commercial zone.

The sprawling complex, estimated to cover approximately 2,000 square meters (6,500 square feet), dates back as far as the 1st century CE and served as both a luxurious residential area and a major agricultural facility. Key findings at the site include:

• Well-preserved stone walls, some standing almost five feet high
• Six spacious rooms, one as large as 300 square meters
• Evidence of olive oil production: a press base (torcular) and channels for oil collection
• Mosaics, coins from various periods, glass vessels, and ceramics indicating a high standard of living

The estate is believed to have supplied olive oil to the nearby ancient city of Salona, the Roman capital of Dalmatia, located just a few kilometers east of modern Split. Excavations were expected to continue for several more weeks, with plans to protect the larger remains with geotextile and gravel for preservation.

2. Roman Dalmatia: Provincial Context

The Roman province of Dalmatia, located along the eastern Adriatic coast, encompassed a significant territory that includes much of present-day Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and parts of Albania and Serbia. Initially known as Illyria or Illyricum, the region was conquered by the Romans after a series of Illyrian Wars, with Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) completing the subjugation around 33 BCE. The province of Illyricum was later dissolved and divided into two separate provinces: Pannonia to the north and Dalmatia to the south, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian (69-79 CE).

Romanization of Dalmatia was swift following the suppression of revolts, leading to the development of infrastructure, the establishment of cities, the adoption of Latin, and the exploitation of local resources like gold mines and the introduction of vine cultivation. A dense network of Roman roads connected important urban centers including Iader (Zadar), Salona (Solin), Narona (Vid), and Epidaurum (Cavtat).

3. Key Roman Settlements

3.1 Salona (Solin) — Provincial Capital

Salona, near modern-day Split in Solin, was the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia and one of the largest cities of the late Roman Empire, boasting a population of over 60,000 inhabitants. Founded in the 3rd century BCE, it became a Roman colony (Colonia Martia Iulia Salona) under Julius Caesar. Salona was economically and strategically vital, serving as a significant center for trade and administration. It is also reputed to be the birthplace of Emperor Diocletian, who later built his famous palace in nearby Split. Salona was the last residence of the final Western Roman Emperor, Julius Nepos.

Visible ruins include: the main square (Forum) with temples and public baths (thermae), an amphitheater capable of holding 15,000-20,000 spectators, two main streets (Cardo and Decumanus), and remains of an aqueduct. Outside the city walls, both pagan and Christian cemeteries have been uncovered, with the Manastirine cemetery being particularly notable for its numerous sarcophagi. The city flourished until its devastation by tribal attacks in the 7th century CE.

3.2 Iader (Zadar) — Adriatic Port City

Iader, the ancient name for modern-day Zadar, was an important Roman trading port and military outpost on the Adriatic coast. It became a Roman colony early in the reign of Emperor Augustus. The city was laid out with a typical Roman rectangular street plan, featuring a forum, thermae, and an impressive 40 km long aqueduct that supplied water from Lake Vrana.

In 2025-2026, a massive Roman necropolis with over 3,000 graves was discovered beneath a modern shopping center and commercial buildings in Zadar's Relja district. This burial site was in continuous use for approximately 500 years, from the late 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE. Artifacts recovered include ceramic and glass vessels, jewelry, coins, and oil lamps from across the Mediterranean, highlighting Iader's role as a maritime trade hub.

3.3 Narona (Vid) — Inland Administrative Center

Narona, located in the Neretva valley near the modern village of Vid, was initially an ancient Greek trading post (emporium) established around the 3rd or 2nd century BCE. It rapidly developed into a major Roman stronghold and colony (Colonia Iulia Narona) in the 1st century BCE, becoming a significant administrative and judicial center. The city is believed to have once had a population of 50,000-60,000 people.

Key archaeological findings include the remains of a forum and several temples, thermal baths, and possibly a theater. A remarkable discovery in 1995-1996 was the Augusteum, a Roman temple dedicated to Emperor Augustus which housed sixteen monumental marble statues of Roman emperors and their family members. These statues were deliberately vandalized in the 4th century during the rise of Christianity. The Archaeological Museum Narona, uniquely built in situ over the remains of the Augusteum, displays around 900 artifacts.

4. Other Notable Roman Discoveries in Dalmatia (2025-2026)

5. Map: Roman Sites of Adriatic Dalmatia

Basemap: Esri World Imagery · Hillshade: Esri World Shaded Relief (45% opacity) · All coordinates EPSG:4326 · Projected work: EPSG:32633

6. Gazetteer & Elevation Estimates

Elevations derived from Copernicus COP-30 DEM (30 m resolution) via OpenTopography API. Coordinates from Pleiades, published excavation reports, and Barrington Atlas.

7. GIS Data Catalog

8. References & Further Reading

1. Eduard Viskovic / Kantharos group. Preliminary Report: Roman Villa at Mostine, Split, 2026.
2. B. Kirigin. The Rise and Fall of Roman Salona. Archaeological Museum Split, 2010.
3. M. Suic. Iader: Roman Zadar. University of Zadar Press, 2005.
4. E. Marin. The Augusteum of Narona. Archaeological Museum Narona, 2003.
5. Pleiades Project. "Salona," "Iader," "Narona." pleiades.stoa.org, 2025.
6. Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press, 2000.
7. Copernicus Programme. "COP-30 Digital Elevation Model." open-topography.org, 2023.
8. Total Croatia News. "Massive Roman Necropolis Found Under Zadar Shopping Centre," 2025.
9. European Space Agency. "Copernicus DEM Product Handbook." 2022.