20-24 septembrie 2009 - Biblioteca Metropolitana Bucuresti

The evolution of the city of Moscopole. Rise and decay 799religious relations, influencing the other towns inhabited by Aromanians,Greeks, Albanians, Slavs from the other regions of the Balkan Peninsula.VI. Communication. RoadsThe Aromanian shepherds who once lived in flourishing centres suchas Moscopole, Grabova, Sipsca etc used to follow ancient routes withtheir flocks of sheep towards warmer areas in the Muzachia plain or to thesouth, towards Thessaly. Others went northwards to the Romanian villagesBeala de Sus and Beala de Jos. The Aromanians located in the Dangli andColonia areas followed the routes towards the Gramos Mountains and evenfarther to Etholy and Acarnania. In addition to raising sheep, the Aromanianshepherds also dealt with the transportation of dairy products and crafts.For the transportation of the merchandise they used caravans of 8 to 10horses or mules. The number of horses could be larger depending on thequantity of the products to be transported.VII. Districts – StreetsUnder the Byzantine emperors the Aromanians won their local authorityand important priviledges which later contributed to their movement in theBalkans and the development of commerce. These freedoms were kept in thefirst centuries of the Ottoman Empire, which was mainly preoccupied withmaintaining military power, while the Aromanians developed commercialroutes, increased the influence of their towns over the surrounding areas orfounded new settlements. Gramostea, Calareti, Metzova, Clisura, Moscoplewere founded in the Middle Ages.VIII. The Architecture of the HousesBoth the evidence given by oral tradition and the material evidenceshow that Moscopole had solid buildings, most of them built in the mosteconomically flourishing period of the town. Archaeological excavationsunearthed their foundations – thick stone walls, rectangular smaller orlarger pieces of stone laid in such a way as to contribute to the resistance ofthe building. The buildings presented typical architectural elements, slimcolumns supporting balconies, many windows protected by iron elements,horseshoe arches supported by columns. In time the houses sufferedmodifications and adopted.IX. Rivers – Bridges – AqueductsAs any other newly established settlement, Moscopole was founded inthe vicinity of rivers. The town had rivers and the districts were sometimes