Šempeter Roman Necropolis

Eastern Slovenia


Some 12km west of Celje, Šempeter is the site of a reconstructed Roman necropolis of wealthy families living in the area. Scattered around the grassy plot are four complete tombs plus a variety of columns, stelae and fragments carved with portraits, mythological creatures and scenes from daily life. Although undoubtedly archaeologically important, the site is probably only of interest to serious history buffs.

The most beautiful tomb is the Ennius family tomb, with reliefs of animals and, on the front panel, the priestess Europa riding a bull. The largest is the 8m-high Spectacius tomb, raised in honour of a Roman official, his wife and son. (Note the kidnapping scene on the side relief.) If you compare these with the later Secundinus family tomb, erected in about 250 AD, it’s obvious that Roman power and wealth were on the decline here in the mid-3rd century.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Eastern Slovenia attractions

1. Eco Museum of Hop Growing

1.97 MILES

Based in an old hop-drying house in Žalec (10km west of Celje), this museum is dedicated to hop growing in the area. Before technology lightened the…

2. Green Gold Beer Fountain

2.01 MILES

What other liquid would you expect a fountain to dispense deep in the heart of hop-growing country? Yep, Žalec (10km west of Celje) is home to the world's…

3. Pekel Cave

2.47 MILES

One hour tours of 'Hell Cave' take you 1200m from the lower wet area to the upper dry section. Among the highlights, you'll pass a 4m-high waterfall, the…

4. Princes' Palace

6.9 MILES

This 4th-century structure houses an important branch of the Celje Regional Museum. In the cellar is the City under the City exhibition: partial remains…

5. Gallery of Contemporary Art

6.93 MILES

This gallery, in the southern wing of the Princes' Palace, hosts thematic exhibitions of both local and foreign artists.

6. Celje Regional Museum

7 MILES

This branch of the Celje Regional Museum's collection is housed in a grand Renaissance building called the Old Count's Mansion. The 1st floor is home to a…

7. Celje Museum of Recent History

7.01 MILES

The permanent Living in Celje: 1900–2000 exhibition here records the story of Celje from the late 19th century onwards. It's not the most interesting of…

8. Church of St Nicholas

7.03 MILES

South of Temple of Hercules, you can walk up 396m-high Nicholas Hill (Miklavški Hrib), topped by the Church of St Nicholas, for a wonderful view of the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "slovenia/celje/attractions/sempeter-roman-necropolis/a/poi-sig/1259297/360708",
      "destination": "Eastern-Slovenia",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Slovenia",
      "region": "Eastern-Slovenia",
      "position": "superzone"
    }