THE THREE CHURCHES

A large number of churches were built by the Byzantines. Three quarters of them have still not been uncovered and excavated. Three of these churches are grouped around an atrium in the same area: the Church of St John the Baptist, the Church of Saints Como and Damian, and the Church of St George. They were all built between 529 and 533. They are located in the extension of the church of St. Theodore, west of the cathedral and before the temple of Artemis.

Church of Saints-Come-and-Damien. It is of remarkable interest because of its size and its particularly well preserved mosaics on the floor. These represent animals and human figures, including those probably of Theodore and his wife Giorgia, the guardians of the church. The base of the pillars separating the nave from the aisles is still clearly visible, as well as some columns. The baptistery was added in the 6th century and was shared with the adjacent church.

Church of St. John the Baptist. This is the largest and most recent of the three churches. It is sandwiched between the other two. It retains part of its façade (which faces the colonnade) and its main entrance. Inside, the nave was delimited by four high columns. One can still admire fragments of coloured mosaics with geometrical patterns.

Church of Saint George. Of the three, it is the one that presents the least interest, because it is in very bad condition, and contains no mosaics. It is probably the oldest of the three churches.