The Novae Praetorium Project focuses on exploring the ancient legionary fortress Novae in Bulgaria and the legacy of the Roman army along the Danube frontier. As the permanent base of the Legio I Italica, this 20-hectare site was a vital military and Byzantine center. Funded by the Polish National Science Centre (OPUS 27), our research aims to fully uncover the layout and chronology of the monumental praetorium—the lavish residence of the legion commander (legate). Recent excavations have already unearthed massive walls and monumental arch, as well as unique small artifacts, shedding new light on the daily life of the Roman military elite. 

In Roman legionary camps, the praetorium, or residence of the legion commander (legatus legionis), was the most prestigious building, reflecting his status as a member of the senatorial elite. The residence stood near the principia (headquarters) and featured rich private part and offices. The aim of the present project is to check if the praetorium in Novae was located behind the principia, as in the majority analogous sites. Archaeologists will use advanced, non-destructive methods to detect its remains underground. Targeted excavations aim to recover artifacts and samples to study the building’s interior, the products consumed there, and its fate in the late antique period, when it may have been repurposed for domestic or other uses, providing key insights into the life of high-ranking officers in Roman legionary bases.