Tourism - Roman Mosaic - Hipnos

Risan has been known as the oldest settlement in the Bay of Kotor. It was mentioned in the 3rd century BC as an Illyrian fortification. According to a legend, escaping from the onslaught of the Romans, Illyrian queen Teuta found refuge in Risan. Mosaics from the Roman period from the late 2nd and early 3rd century A.D. are found in Risan. The Greek god Hypnos is represented in the middle of the mosaic, and that is the only figure of this deity on the east Adriatic coast. The entire complex is approximately 790 m2 and is composed of a rectangular central area. There are five rooms on the east side which were lavishly decorated with mosaics, the remains of which can be seen even now. The most interesting and artistically most valuable mosaic is situated in the last room. The base of fine white mosaic contains triangular, square, rhombus and rectangular ornaments, while the central field is composed of 16 squares. What gives it a special beauty and charm is the medallion representing the god of sleep Hypnos lined with black and white stones with woven meanders. The Montenegro Post is publishing a commemorative postage stamp and a First Day envelope within the edition “Tourism”. The author of the conceptual design is Snežana Pupović Karović, a graphic designer from Podgorica.