An important part of the religious life of the christians are the churches and the earliest form of a religious establishment was the basilica. Every major Roman centre had its own church building to facilitate the needs of the big christian community. The religious proceedings were led by the local bishop in the basilica. Smaller temples were usually built in the small neighbourhoods. In the Odessos region (modern day Varna region) some 10 roman-byzantine basilicas were found. An interesting complex containing three basilicas built one above the other in the period of 4th century AD until the 8th century AD was found on the “Han Krum” street.

The archeological research of this important early christian centre has taken place for over 30 years. It is related to the work of the prominent bulgarian archeologists Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, prof. Mihail Lazarov and Alexander Minchev. The Odessos basilica is the most spacious in the Varna region with a measurement of 40 to 16 metres.

Building process

The earliest basilica was built at the start of the 5th century with very tight proportions as it was wider than it was long with one apse. It stood for just a few decades as it’s thought that it had fallen due to an earthquake. It contained a big arrangement of internal decorations consisting of floor and wall mosaics, wall writings and internal architecture of multi coloured marble. It’s rich insides suggest that this was probably the main bishop church of Odessos.

The second basilica built over the first one was certain that it was the main bishop church. It was built in the first half of the 5th century and lasted some 50-60 years. It was bigger with a triple-ship construction with two yards. The mosaics and symbols of early christianity consisted of peacocks, flowers and birds.

A few decades later above its remains a new basilica was built and the columns were replaced by massive walls. They were constructed by reused blocks from the city wall of Varna. The construction plan was the same as the second Odessos basilica but with a marble floor. It was allegedly destroyed when the slavic people had taken over the city in 614.

Findings

The mosaics are filled with multi-coloured marble, clay and glass cubes. There are two kinds – with geometrical motifs and with figure panels, which show different christian symbols. During the excavation a crypt was found under the mosaics. It contained a relic with a lid from alabaster, which contained parts of bones from an unknown young saint. Copper coins form the 4th and 5th centuries were also found as the latest one was from 455 A.D. and it had the face of Petronius Maximus. These mosaics and findings show that indeed for about two centuries this place was the most important christian centre of Odessos.

The exhibits were transported to the Archeological museum where there are also parts of the mosaics. To this day the space where the basilicas were build is locked in between civil buildings and there is free access to it. 

If you wish to visit the Odessos basilica you can take advantage of My Rent a Car. You can get a car of your choosing anywhere from Varna Airport, the centre itself, Golden Sands, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny day or other points within Varna.