The ruins of a 5th-century basilica sit within the agora complex, its apse and several walls still standing. It is easy to miss because it blends into the surrounding ruins, but it represents the transition from pagan to Christian Side and is worth a few minutes. The scale — three naves, with the apse facing east — gives a sense of how significant Side was as an early Christian centre.
Byzantine Basilica
A story
Side was the seat of a bishop from the 4th century AD, and several large basilicas were built in the city as Christianity spread through the Roman Empire. The most visible remains are in the agora area, where a 5th-century church was built over earlier structures. The Christian period at Side lasted until Arab raids in the 7th century effectively ended civic life. A second basilica stands near the museum, its apse still standing to several metres.