Near Buthrotum in Sarandė District, Vlorė, Albania — Southeastern Europe (Balkan Peninsula)
The Great Basilica
Bazilika e Madhe
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018
1. The Great Basilica Marker
Captions: The Great Basilica in 16th century AD; (insert) A detail from the remaining floor mosaic.
English:
Butrint, from the 5th century, had a bishop and the Great Basilica was the bishop's church. It was constructed in the early 6th century AD, at the same time as the Baptistery.
The original basilica would have had three aisles separated by colonnades of columns and capitals reused from earlier buildings, some of these can still be seen inside. The floor was pave with a mosaic, which was created by the same craftsmen who made the Baptistery mosaic, and there was a polygonal apse.
In the medieval period the Basilica was substantially rebuilt with stone piers and a new semi-circular apse. A flagstone floor was placed over the mosaic pavement.
Elsewhere in the town another eight churches have been found so far. The most significant of theses is located on the plain on the opposite side of the Vivari Channel
Erected by Parku Kombėtar Butrint and Albanian American Development Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The channel-side city wall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Baptistery and its mosaic pavements (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Roman Town Planning (about 120 meters away); The Roman Forum (about 180 meters away); The Expansion of Butrint (about 210 meters away); The Lion Gate (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The Theatre (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Sanctuary of Asclepius (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buthrotum.
More about this marker. The marker is located in Butrint National Park, just north of the ferry on route SH81.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018
2. The Great Basilica and Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018
3. The Great Basilica
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018
4. Section of the floor mosaic
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
