Medieval Pelagonia in the Light of New Archaeological Evidence

In searching for medieval Pelagonia and Bitola, in addition to the archaeological research findings and the study of medieval written sources, we can obtain new information through sigillography. Situated on the junction of Via Egnatia road there was the Roman colony of Septimia Aurelia, Heracleia Lyncestis. On the northeast side there is the medieval town of Bitola, which developed into the administrative and ecclesiastical centre of the region. The recent archaeological excavations at the Yeni mosque in the central town area resulted in a valuable material evidence, including a medieval church building with a cemetery. The two settlements led a parallel existence until the 12th century, when Heraclea was renamed as Pelagonia with a strong castrum above the hill. Nicetas Choniates described it as place suitable for cavalry encampment, while for Manuel I Komnenos the imperial winter quarters and hunting camps were located there. On the northern hills above the medieval settlement of Bitola some foundations of a large medieval church were discovered, a transitional type of cross domed church, flanked by two towers on the western side. The place called Kale Bayir was once protected by ramparts and wooden palisades and it belonged to the complex of medieval urban structures that protected the town with a chain of small fortifications. The renewed archaeological research excavations will shed more light on this medieval complex of settlements situated along the main Egnatian route and its junction.