The historical urbanization of Novo mesto was conditioned by the geomorphological and throughfare of traffic in this place along the Krka river. The oldest settlement (a mound) was begun at the end of the bronze age, with the building of a fortified »gradišče« settlement at Marof it became very active and it was continued throughout the first millennium B. C., as a significant centre of the Hallstatt culture in the Eastern Alps. Then follows the Roman settlement, which has not been investigated yet, which lasted until about 400 A. D. The establishment of the city in 1365 signifies the beginning of permanent urban agglomeration, which — in the period of time — becomes the centre of the Dolenjska region, and which is based on historical relations: a prehistoric mound — the Roman settlement — the medieval fortification — a modern city.