The archaeological site of 3 Septemvriou Street is a great example of coexistence of the past of the city with the needs of the present.
Modern and Contemporary era (1912 - )
1980 During this decade and while construction works were in operation, an excavation was conducted, and the construction of the bridge was necessitated.
Ottoman era (1453- 1912)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
The basilica was constructed between the 4th and the 5th century AD and was destroyed in the 7th century by the Slavs.
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
Under the elevated bridge of 3 Septemvriou St. lies an early Christian cemetery, which is open to the public. The coexistence of the past of the city with the needs of the present is worth noting. To date, 58 graves have been excavated and are developed around a cruciform martyrdom (space with four arches, dedicated to the martyrs) dedicated to Alexander of Pydna, who martyred during the reign of Emperor Maximian. On the north side, we find the eastern part of a three-aisled basilica. The rest of the church is located under the TIF venues. Of particular interest is the Sanctuary, which features painted walls and a wide corridor with marble elements on the floor and painted walls.
What I can't see
Probably martyrs were worshipped in this basilica, and it was dedicated to Saint Anyssia, who martyred in Thessaloniki in the Roman period. Under the area of the holy table, a small marble coffer, a silver reliquary and a coin treasure were found (380- 450 AD).
Info
- Address: 3is Septemvriou & Tsimiski St.
Bibliography
Kourkoutidou- Nikolaidou E., Tourta A., (1997), Περίπατοι στη Βυζαντινή Θεσσαλονίκη, [Walks in the Byzantine Thessaloniki], Athens: Kapon publications