During my month in Romania, I visited the ancient Dacian capital Sarmizegetusa Regia, which now consists solely of the ancient stone foundations that demarcate ancient buildings. My goal was to take images where viewers can feel as if they are walking among the ruins. I experimented with some black and white images to differentiate from the consistent greens, browns, and greys. The mystical elements of the site appear through the shape and form of the foundations, geometrically and aesthetically reminiscent of Stonehenge and other sites with holy meaning.
Sarmizegetusa Regia stands on the top of a mountain and is where the last Dacian King, Decebalus, made his final stand resisting the Roman Empire’s control. This site is one of beauty, where the stone itself provides contrast and texture among the sea of grass and open space. There are many theories about these ruins, however, the most accepted theory is that many were temples to Dacian Gods. Today, anyone can visit this site and walk among the ruins, as well as drink from the natural spring water which is said to have healing properties.
