Basilica of St. Achillios, Byzantine basilica in Larissa, Greece
The Basilica of St. Achillios is a three-aisled Byzantine church on Frourio Hill in Larissa, Greece, featuring eastern arches, a narthex, and stone construction. The building preserves remnants of a 6th-century mosaic in its entrance area and displays the typical layout of Byzantine places of worship.
The sanctuary emerged in early Byzantine times as the burial place of Saint Achillius, the first bishop of Larissa. Archaeologists discovered the building's foundations in 1978, revealing an important record of the region's religious history.
The name honors Saint Achillius, the first bishop of the city, whose veneration shaped local religious life for centuries. Visitors can observe how this place functioned as a burial ground, with graves arranged to reflect the spiritual importance of the saint's presence.
The site sits on Frourio Hill between the Ancient Theatre and the Ottoman-era Bedesten, which helps with orientation. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the archaeological remains lie in open areas with uneven ground.
A specially decorated 8th-century tomb likely marks the burial place of the saint and disrupted the building's original mosaic design. This alteration shows how later generations shaped the site according to their veneration practices.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
