Not far from the Celije Monastery, in the canyon of the Gradac River, an archaeological site has been found, which archaeologists believe dates back to antiquity. It is a small fortification, a watchtower, dating from the 3rd or 4th century. The site was discovered ten years ago, and research and excavation started five years ago as part of the project "Valjevo County in the Middle Ages," funded by the Ministry of Culture.

Those familiar with the canyon of the Gradac River long believed it was just a pile of stones on a hill above the river, but archaeologists discovered a rectangular tower made of broken stone, a water cistern, and numerous remnants of military equipment, confirming the military nature of the fortification.

A particularly significant discovery is the remains of a road that connected the Valjevo and Pozega basins, along which these fortifications were presumably built.

„The fortification, covering 300 square meters, was likely built to protect the road, travelers, and transported goods from various attackers, robbers, bandits… Watchtower fortifications were built along border rivers and major roads for surveillance or visual signaling with other fortifications along the old road. An important discovery made during the research near the site is the remains of the ancient road, which in the late antiquity and medieval period connected the Valjevo and Pozega basins via Povlen, with a network of fortifications along its route for protection,“ says Nevena Pavlovic from the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments in Valjevo.