(Pyrasos or Phthiotides Thebes)
Port of Thessalian Thebes and a port with intense commercial traffic. Here there was a sanctuary of Demetrius and Kori (Demetrion). The city declined in the later Hellenistic years (1st century BC). Many ancient tombs have been found in its area. In early Christian times it was the largest port of Thessaly (some anchorages are visible). The early Christian city, which flourished from the 4th to the 7th century, stretched on the coastal plain, on the site of ancient Pyras. At the end of the 7th c. destroyed by fire. Justinian additions (6th century) are visible on the wall that surrounded the acropolis of ancient Pyras. Ruins of public and private buildings were also found (among them the episcopal palace), as well as nine large basilicas, close to the main commercial street of the early Christian city that led to the harbor with extensive marble and mosaic floors and elaborate sculptural decoration. The three-aisled basilica, which was dedicated to Agios Dimitrios, was the episcopal church (end of the 5th or beginning of the 6th century). The basilica of Elpidi dates from the same era. The basilica of Archpriest Peter, the largest and most luxurious (late 4th or early 5th century, its oldest phase) was part of a large ecclesiastical complex. Parts of the floor mosaic (6th century) have been preserved. Outside the walls, the cemetery basilica (second half of the 5th or 6th century) is preserved. Mosaic floor in the Basilica of Martyrion (431). Numerous inscriptions and tombs have been found in the excavations. Ruins of an early Christian building of large dimensions in the area of the airport. which was dedicated to Agios Dimitrios, was the episcopal church (late 5th or early 6th century). The basilica of Elpidi dates from the same era. The basilica of Archpriest Peter, the largest and most luxurious (late 4th or early 5th century, its oldest phase) was part of a large ecclesiastical complex. Parts of the floor mosaic (6th century) have been preserved. Outside the walls, the cemetery basilica (second half of the 5th or 6th century) is preserved. Mosaic floor in the Basilica of Martyrion (431). Numerous inscriptions and tombs have been found in the excavations. Ruins of an early Christian building of large dimensions in the area of the airport. which was dedicated to Agios Dimitrios, was the episcopal church (late 5th or early 6th century). The basilica of Elpidi dates from the same era. The basilica of Archpriest Peter, the largest and most luxurious (late 4th or early 5th century, its oldest phase) was part of a large ecclesiastical complex. Parts of the floor mosaic (6th century) have been preserved. Outside the walls, the cemetery basilica (second half of the 5th or 6th century) is preserved. Mosaic floor in the Basilica of Martyrion (431). Numerous inscriptions and tombs have been found in the excavations. Ruins of an early Christian building of large dimensions in the area of the airport. the largest and most luxurious (late 4th or early 5th c. its oldest phase) was part of a large ecclesiastical complex. Parts of the floor mosaic (6th century) have been preserved. Outside the walls, the cemetery basilica (second half of the 5th or 6th century) is preserved. Mosaic floor in the Basilica of Martyrion (431). Numerous inscriptions and tombs have been found in the excavations. Ruins of an early Christian building of large dimensions in the area of the airport. the largest and most luxurious (late 4th or early 5th c. its oldest phase) was part of a large ecclesiastical complex. Parts of the floor mosaic (6th century) have been preserved. Outside the walls, the cemetery basilica (second half of the 5th or 6th century) is preserved. Mosaic floor in the Basilica of Martyrion (431). Numerous inscriptions and tombs have been found in the excavations. Ruins of an early Christian building of large dimensions in the area of the airport.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou