Christian Worship Architecture: c. 400 - c. 500 CE

Thessaloniki: Church of the Virgin (c. 470 CE)

Large basilica of "stubby" proportions, with galleries, but evidently without clerestory lighting. This was compensated for by the large windows in all exterior walls. Remnants of the originally rich decoration are preserved: composite capitals with impost blocks, mosaic decoration in arch soffits of nave arcade, and large white marble floor slabs.  The church was later named "acheiropoietos" = "not made by human hands".

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Groundplan

Exterior

Interior

 

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