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The fortress, a quadrilateral formed by massive stone blocks ( murus dacicus ), was constructed on five terraces, on an area of almost 30,000 mē. Sarmizegetusa also had a sacred precinct -- among the most important and largest circular and rectangular Dacian sanctuaries the famous Circular Calendar Sanctuary is included.
The civilians lived around the fortress, down the mountain on man-made terraces. Dacian nobility had flowing water, brought through ceramic pipes, in their residences. The archeological inventory found at the site shows that Dacian society had a high standard of living.
The Dacian capital reached its acme under Decebalus, the Dacian king defeated by the Roman Empire after two wars ( 101- 102 and 105- 106), led by Emperor Trajan. After the defeat of the Dacians, the conquerors established a military garrison there. Later, the capital of Roman Dacia was named after the Dacian capital - Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa, established 40 km far from the ruined Dacian capital.
All the six fortresses - Sarmizegetusa, Blidaru , Piatra Rosie , Costesti, Capalna and Banita - that formed the defensive system of Decebalus are part of a UNESCO World heritage site.