At strategic high ground over important roads where the gentle fields of Ravni kotari turn into the barren land of Bukovica stands Asseria, as old as time itself. A few kilometres from Benkovac, the road which was used even 2,000 ago to go from the Roman Jader (Zadar) to reach Salona (Solin) stands the old fortification and Liburnian town of Asseria, rebuilt by Roman enterprise. The magnificent Trajan Gate, Forum, streets and ramparts are covered in oblivion, but have begun to be uncovered in recent years. The Forum has been covered by an Early Christian church and cemetery. Three kilometres of aqueduct have been abandoned, and the strong three-metre thick ramparts seem to have become one with the rockery from which they are now being released. Why did the inhabitants of this powerful town abandon it? What is the link between these people and the people of the surroundings? It was the power to use and have command of the stones and rocks for here is the biggest number of carved Liburnian tombstones – cippi- and the powerful town ramparts. These people here who have been living with and for the stone are today skilful stonemasons.
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