Byzantine Churches
Below is an illustrated index of the 39 Byzantine Churches profiled on Sacred Destinations so far. For photo credits, please see corresponding articles.
The Agia Sophia is the largest and most famous Byzantine church in Thessaloniki, Greece. Built in the 8th century, it was modeled after the more famous 6th-century version in Istanbul.
Located on the Ancient Agora of Athens, this Byzantine church dates from the 10th century. It is one of the oldest churches in the city.
The Basilica of St. John was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century over the traditional tomb of John the Evangelist. The site became a major pilgrimage destination in the Early Middle Ages.
Now an isolated ruin, this 5th-century Byzantine church was dedicated to the famous St. Sergius, a Roman soldier martyred c.303. The church was a major pilgrimage site in the Byzantine era.
Among Petra's ancient temples is a Byzantine church dating from the 5th and 6th centuries. Still being excavated, Petra Church contains some extraordinary Byzantine mosaics.
Naxos Island has a remarkable abundance of Byzantine chapels, even by Greek island standards. Many of them contain exceptional frescoes from the 9th to the 15th centuries.
An elevated temple platform near the harbor in Caesarea was a place of worship for the Romans, Byzantines, Muslims and Crusaders.
Located within the Norman Palace, the Palatine Chapel is the finest example of Arab-Norman art in Palermo. Built by Roger II from 1130 to 1140, it is adorned with extraordinary Byzantine mosaics.
The walls, an arch, and the baptismal pool remain intact at the Church of Mary, possibly the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the world and the site of the Council of Ephesus in 431.
This great church was built by Constantine as the resting place of Byzantine emperors, several apostles, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian. Destroyed in the Crusades, its materials were used to build the Fatih Mosque.
This is a major Christian holy site that marks the traditional place of Christ's birth. It is also one of the oldest surviving Christian churches, commissioned by Emperor Constantine.
This 11th-century Byzantine monastery and World Heritage Site is famed for the golden mosaics that cover its walls.
The Theotokos Church was built in 1292 and served as the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate from 1456 to 1528. Five years later, it was converted into a mosque.
This archaeological site is best known for the Gortyn Code, a stone-inscribed law code from 500 BC. Also here are the ruins of several Roman temples and the 6th-century Basilica of St. Titus.
The most famous and important of the Meteora monasteries, Great Meteoron has a large church topped by a 12-sided dome and decorated with elaborate frescoes.
This 11th-century church (later a mosque and now a museum) contains one of the finest preserved galleries of Byzantine mosaics anywhere.
Located 25km southwest of Amman, Madaba is famous for the many Byzantine mosaics uncovered here. The most famous is the 6th-century "Madaba Map" of the Holy Land in St. George's Church.
One of the most powerful women in western history, Galla Placidia was probably never buried here. The main attraction is the splendid mosaics dating from 430 AD.
This tiny 12th-century church next to the cathedral is dedicated to the "Virgin Who Answers Prayers Quickly." The facade features a quirky patchwork of classical artifacts and medieval sculpture.
Paestum's Basilica Paleocristiana is an early Christian cathedral dating from the 5th century. It has recently been restored to its original form, which uses materials from the ancient city.
An 11th-century Byzantine church with an attractive facade and an extensive cycle of frescoes in the dome.
A massive round building that was first a Roman temple, then a Christian church, then a mosque.
Although much restored, this is one of the oldest monuments in Ravenna, dating from c.426-30 AD. Its chief attractions are its 5th-century architecture and 13th-century mosaics of the Crusades.
Also known as the Lateran Baptistery, this octagonal structure is the oldest baptistery in the world, built by Constantine in 315 AD.
This major pilgrimage basilica features a columned portico, 6th-century mosaic, catacombs, and lovely 12th-century cloister. It is dedicated to Lawrence, who was martyred by roasting on a gridiron.
Built in 548 over the site of the martyrdom of St. Vitalis, this octagonal church contains some of the most celebrated mosaics in the West.
Located a few miles out in the little suburb of Classe, Sant'Apollinare dates from the 6th century and contains fine Byzantine mosaics, especially in the apse.
Dedicated to St. Apollinarus (Ravenna's first bishop), this 6th-century basilica is known for its two rows of ancient biblical mosaics that stretch the length of the nave.
Built on the site of a miraculous snowfall, this major basilica dates from 420 AD. The huge church is lined with Byzantine mosaics and contains many important relics.
A hidden gem near Santa Maria Maggiore, this 9th-century basilica has glorious Byzantine mosaics. Also here is a piece of the scourging column of Christ and other relics.
Santa Sabina is Rome's best surviving example of an early Christian church. It dates from 422, including its carved wooden doors with biblical scenes.
This ancient church in the Imperial Forum contains ruins of a Roman temple (overlooked through a glass wall in the back) and some wonderful early Christian mosaics in the apse.
Dedicated to St. Stephen, the first martyr, this is one of the largest and oldest round churches in existence. Dating from the 5th century, it reflects local and foreign influences.
This church, now completely destroyed, was built in the late 400s in Antioch's port city of Seleucia Pieria. Many interesting examples of early Christian art were discovered here.
Serjilla (also spelled Sarjella) gets Lonely Planet's vote as the "most eerie and evocative" of the Dead Cities of northern Syria. It also has the greatest number of semi-complete buildings.
Commissioned by Justinian in the first year of his reign (527), this was an important stage in the development of Byzantine architecture. It is now a mosque known as the "Little Hagia Sophia."
A Crusader church and atmospheric Byzantine crypt shelters this ancient tomb said to be that of the Virgin Mary.
This important archaeological site was declared a World Heritage Site in 2004. Its structures date from the 3rd to 9th centuries and most have not yet been excavated, but magnificent Byzantine mosaics have been uncovered in two churches.
The Church of the Pantocrator, now a mosque named Zeyrek Camii, is one of the most important landmarks of the Byzantine period. Today it is in a state of neglect.
