Tarsatica

Tarsatica represents the Roman military base of the Tarsaticum Principium, a square fortress built using opus mixtum construction during the 3rd century as part of the Claustra Alpium Iuliarum defensive system. The Principium was a command center with administrative rooms, storage facilities, sleeping quarters and spaces for military and religious cult practices. Archaeological excavations confirm continuity of life from mid-3rd to mid-4th century AD, revealing diverse artifacts — ceramics, glass vessels, weapon and armor fragments, and findings associated with early Christianity. A surprising discovery was an intact sarcophagus and mosaics showing luxurious living standards. Tarsaticum Principium is now part of an archaeological park in old Rijeka, recognized as one of twenty top archaeological sites of Croatia.