The Basilica of Agios Achilleios is also located on the hill of the fortress south of Bezesteni. During the excavations for the landscaping of the site in 1978, the findings of the temple came to light. It was a three-aisled building with an arch to the east, narthex and masonry, and was founded at about 3 meters. The monument had no traces of columns or floors, with the exception of a part of a mosaic in the narthex and a much smaller one in the second aisle.
The style of this mosaic testifies as a time of construction of the temple in the 6th or the 7th c. During the excavation inside the temple, a few marbles came to light, which have not been dated, although most of them were reused as cover plates in the tombs that were probably earlier than the basilica.
The most important find was two luxurious vaulted tombs. The two vaulted tombs, as well as the numerous box-shaped and free burials found inside, were thought to have preceded the basilica, as their level is lower than the remains of the mosaic. The addition of an arch to the north aisle led many scholars to speculate that the tomb of the north aisle must be identified with the tomb of St. Achilles, over which the basilica was later erected.
On its walls there is a written decoration of large deep red crosses. In addition to the arched tomb of the north aisle, two other arched tombs have been discovered inside the basilica, one located in the central aisle and in contact with the south pillar and the other located in the exonarthex. This one in the central aisle has a cocoon with a cross which is accompanied by the inscription ” IC / XC / NIKA ” on its western wall. . It is adorned with a simple black cross.
In addition to the arched tombs inside and around the temple, box-shaped tombs were discovered, which had built-in walls and floors paved with clay slabs. Also came to light and several kavivite tombs made of roof tiles and finally many pits.
With information and source of central photo from the page of the Municipality of Larissa
