South Aisle 1

South Aisle 1

A view looking east down the South Aisle of the Basilica Church at Laodicea.  The aisle is about 113 feet long and 25 feet wide.  At the far end, behind the two small upright pillars is where the room called the Prothesis is located.

On the left (north) side of the image, the massive stone-built columns were originally clad with marble.  To the left of them is where the central nave (not visible) is located.  On the right (south) side of the image, the three side apses of this aisle are partially visible.

The outstanding mosaic floor is very well preserved and consists mainly of geometric patterns.  It contains a few, difficult to see, inscriptions in Greek.


This church is located in the northeast section of the city.  According to a sign at the site (= excavator's view?), it was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine (d. AD 337).  It was destroyed by an earthquake during the reign of Focas (r. AD 602-610).