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View of the ruins of the early Christian basilica in Lavreotikos Olympus. The apse. (Photograph: I. Liakoura)
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Basilica, Lavreotikos Olympos
Area: Lavreotikos Olympos
Type: Basilica
Date: Early Christian period
Description:
Important antiquities have been traced between Paneion and Lauvreotikus Olympus (ancient demos of Aigileia). The ruins (excavated by N. Kotzias in 1929 and 1952) of a three-aisled, early Christian basilica with a double narthex and a baptistery, 500 m. east of the village Olympus confirm the continuation of life in the area. A mosaic with an inscription is found on the floor of the Holy Bema. The donator’s name is not mentioned out of modesty and piety. The floor of the central aisle was paved with marble plaques while the one of the side aisles and the narthex with stone ones. There are geometrical representations (abacus patterns, crosses) as well as representations inspired by the animal and floral kingdom. A building that must have functioned as a baptistery (it consists of three spaces) is annexed in the southern side of the church. It was later transformed into an oil-press. Following the destruction of the basilica the veneration is restricted into the central aisle with the construction of a small, single naved church. According to excavation evidence, the area must have been deserted in the 12th century for good. Based on a tombstone in a neighboring grave, the basilica can be accurately dated before the middle of the 6th century.
Type: Basilica
Date: Early Christian period
Description:
Important antiquities have been traced between Paneion and Lauvreotikus Olympus (ancient demos of Aigileia). The ruins (excavated by N. Kotzias in 1929 and 1952) of a three-aisled, early Christian basilica with a double narthex and a baptistery, 500 m. east of the village Olympus confirm the continuation of life in the area. A mosaic with an inscription is found on the floor of the Holy Bema. The donator’s name is not mentioned out of modesty and piety. The floor of the central aisle was paved with marble plaques while the one of the side aisles and the narthex with stone ones. There are geometrical representations (abacus patterns, crosses) as well as representations inspired by the animal and floral kingdom. A building that must have functioned as a baptistery (it consists of three spaces) is annexed in the southern side of the church. It was later transformed into an oil-press. Following the destruction of the basilica the veneration is restricted into the central aisle with the construction of a small, single naved church. According to excavation evidence, the area must have been deserted in the 12th century for good. Based on a tombstone in a neighboring grave, the basilica can be accurately dated before the middle of the 6th century.