Episcopal Basilica

Episcopal basilica in Sandanski was opened by Vladimir Petkov in 1989 during archaeological excavations. Beside her were found and Baptistery, buildings and courtyard. They are related to church life and rituals during the era of the early Christian era.

The Episcopal basilica was built in the fourth century when Christianity had not yet managed to establish itself as a world religion. Its walls were made of boulders and on a certain distance were placed sectors with 3 to 5 rows of bricks arranged as belts.The construction is typical of the late Roman period.

Classical basilica is located in the center of the complex. It will impress you with its internal architecture, monumentality and beautiful frescoes and mosaics. Of river boulders with girdles brick building was built. This testifies to the so-called Opus makstum or mixed structure of the ancient Roman way of construction. The central premise of the temple consists of a main vessel and side two, which are separated by columns each other in the Roman Corinthian style.

Unusually for a church, it had two floors. On the ground floor were praying for the men, while on the second – the women. There was also a large room in which they baptized the converts believers.

The building was destroyed nearly two centuries later. Reserved, however, is part of the beautiful ground mosaics.

In the basilica is revealed also spring with holy water. In the room where it was found were placed relics of a saint. The walls were decorated with colored plaster, as nowadays only a fraction of them remained. The yard of the church served as a place where the faithful gathered before the service.

The covered corridors kept the people from rain and bad weather. There was found in the yard also a preserved well and a unique fountain, to which water is supplied to the principle of communicating vessels.