Basilica A / Basilica of Aghios Dimitrios / Basilica of Doumetios; Mosaic Floor

Abstract

~In the Early Christian period Nikopolis became the center of new artistic and intellectual activity. Among the most important monuments from that era are four basilicas preserved within the Byzantine enceinte. Basilica A stands within the fortification walls, its main axis parallel with the south side of them. The building is a three-aisled basilica, 52m long and 18m wide, with a tripartite, projecting transept, and a T-shaped plan. It has a narthex and a peristyle courtyard to the west. The sanctuary apse is semicircular, has a synthronon (marble benches for bishops) and is reinforced by exterior buttresses. Work on the basilica was begun around 540-550 AD by Bishop Doumetios and it was completed by his successor (ca. 575 AD). A large part of the church is covered by mosaics.