The early christian basilica of Kardamena
The site of Ancient Halassarna
is located in the modern village
of Kardamena on the south
coast of Kos, approximately 30 kilometres
southwest of the capital city. Neolithic, geometric and classical remains unearthed
in systematic excavations by the University
of Athens over the past
30 years reveal the continuity of settlement in the ancient city, which
flourished in Hellenistic times and retained its vitality throughout the Roman
and early Christian periods. Combined with rich finds, the settlement, the
cemetery and four Early Christian basilicas reveal a thriving city with
workshops, small industry installations and significant commercial activity.
The Basilica of the Holy
Godhead was identified and excavated by German archaeologist Rudolf Herzog in
the early 20th century. It is a three-aisled basilica of impressive
dimensions (60m in length) with a narthex, an atrium and a
three-sided sanctuary apse.
The church floors are meticulously decorated with mosaics, and ancient
materials (marble architectural members and inscribed columns) are incorporated
into the walls. The monument was built in the 5th century.
A second important basilica
was recently discovered in the centre of the modern village of Kardamena.
According to inscriptions, the founders were Dorotheus, Eutychius and Photeinos the Senior. Measuring
27 by 14 metres, it was erected around 500 and remained in use until the
mid-7th century. This church is also a three-nave basilica with narthex.
The impressive picture afforded by the excavated ruins clearly shows the
building’s basic features, such as a protruding central sanctuary apse; a
rectangular atrium surrounded by galleries on three sides; a wing with six
annexes along the north side of the church; and a rectangular baptistery with
an apse and two baptismal fonts to the south-east, which is the only one of its
kind on Kos. The floor mosaics were the product of a local workshop, and are
mainly decorated in geometric patterns, featuring wheels, octagons, squares and
crosses, with a few non-geometric bird and plant motifs.
Glossary (4)
three nave basilica:
a basilica with three naves.
narthex:
oblong reception area
extending
along
the western side
of a basilica. Originally the east portico
of the atrium,
it was later
incorporated into the
church, and served
as a waiting area for catechumens, who were not allowed to
attend the Divine
Liturgy.
atrium:
quadrangular forecourt of basilicas, surrounded by porticos. Porticos had functional purposes: they served as a waiting place before entering the church for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and provided shelter for the congregation. Generally, the atrium isolated the church from the surrounding space. It contained fountains for the symbolic cleansing of the hands and feet and for performing the service of Sanctification.
basilica:
type of large church, divided internally into three or more naves. The central nave was usually covered by a raised roof with windows that illuminated the space.
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Bibliography (6)
1. Κοντογιάννης Ν., Μεσαιωνικά Κάστρα και Οχυρώσεις της Κω, Athens, 2002
2. Μπρούσκαρη Έ, Συμβολή στην ιστορία και την αρχαιολογία της Κω κατά την παλαιοχριστιανική περίοδο: η βασιλική του πρεσβυτέρου Φωτεινού στην Καρδάμαινα , Athens, 2011
3. Ορλάνδος Α., Δύο παλαιοχριστιανικαί βασιλικαί της Κω, 1966
4. Χατζηβασιλείου Β, Ιστορία της νήσου Κω, Athens, 1990
5. Kokkorou-Alevras G., Kalopissi-Verti S., Panayotidi-Kesisoglou M., Kardamaina, Ancient Halasarna on the island of Kos: A guide, Athens, 2006
6. Στεφανίδου Α., ‘Κάστρο Παλαιού Πυλίου’ in Ενετοί και Ιωαννίτες Ιππότες. Δίκτυα οχυρωματικής αρχιτεκτονικής, Athens, 2001
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