Chrysoupolis.
Chrysoupolis.
MACEDONIA
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58. Chrysoupolis, wall and gate (Χρυσούπολις,τείχος και πύλη)
57. Amphipolis, basilica A, capital (Αμφίπολη, βασιλική Α’, κιονόκρανο)
58.
Chrysoupolis
.
Next to the estuary of the river Strymon lie the remains of Chrys-
oupolis, a settlement known since the 10th c. The fortress prob-
ably acquired its present form in the first half of the 14th c., at
its largest extent, and is attributed to Emperor Andronicus III (r.
1328-1341). The original enclosure with its citadel was extend-
ed. The towers are square with elevated entrances; next to the
south gate of the fortress was a tower in a semicircular shape or
with a ground plan in the form of a stilted arch.
58. Chrysoupolis, fortress, ground plan (Χρυσούπολις, το κάστρο, κάτοψη)
the walls, five Early Christian churches have been excavated,
as well as a large, square cistern. After the 7th c. the city dis-
appeared. Basilica A (6th c.) was a three-aisled, timber-roofed
church with narthex, atrium and annexes, architectural sculp-
tures and floor mosaics. The south nave occupied the Roman
bath. This church fell into disrepair in the 7th c. Basilica B (6th
c.) was a three-aisled, timber-roofed church with atrium, annex-
es and mosaic floors. Basilica Γ (second half of the 5th c.) was
a three-aisled, timber-roofed church with narthex and atrium in
the southern section. Basilica Δ lies to the SE of Basilica A.
Dating from the second half of the 5th c., it was a three-aisled,
timber-roofed church with narthex, atrium with two-storey por-
ticos and annexes. South of Basilica B the remains of a cen-
trally planned church, dating from the 6th c., are preserved. The
hexagon − probably two-storeyed − is inscribed in a circle, which
in its eastern part, where the apse lies, is interrupted by a chord.
The church also featured an atrium and annexes. East of Ba-
silica Α, a large cistern is preserved at a low height.
