Lai.
Nea Anchialos. Phthiotian Thebes.
THESSALY
151
134. Nea Anchialos, basilica A (of Aghios Demetrios) ground plan (Νέα
Αγχίαλος, βασιλική Α’ (Αγίου Δημητρίου))
134. Nea Anchialos, basilica A (of Aghios Demetrios) closure slab (Νέα
Αγχίαλος, βασιλική Α` (Αγίου Δημητρίου) θωράκιο.)
133. Lai, basilica, ground plan (Λάι, βασιλική, κάτοψη.)
133.
Lai.
At the settlement of Lai, close to Neochori and Aghios Deme-
trios, a three-aisled Early Christian basilica with narthex has
come to light.
134.
Nea Anchialos. Phthiotian Thebes.
The Early Christian city of Phthiotian Thebes, located approxi-
mately 17 km SW of Volos, was named after the neighbouring
ancient settlement. This 4th-7th c. city was destroyed by an
earthquake, as attested by excavation evidence. It was not
inhabited again until the early 20th c., when refugees from
Anchialos in Bulgaria settled there. At this site approximately
ten basilicas have been discovered, as well as secular build-
ings. The most significant monuments are the following.
Ba-
silica Α
(of Aghios Demetrios) has three aisles, a narthex (5th
c.) and opulent interior decoration. N and S of the narthex,
respectively, a baptistery and a diaconicon have been detect-
ed. The floors were covered with mosaics and marble inlays,
and the lower parts of the walls adorned with marble revet-
ments. There was high-quality sculpted decoration.
Basilica
Β
(of Bishop Elpidios) lies NE of Basilica A and dates from the
late 5th c.; a subsequent phase has also been indicated. Its
dedication originates from an inscription (first half of the 6th
c.) found in the atrium mentioning the name of Bishop Elpidi-
os (and of the donor, Deacon Stephen). Basilica B was burnt
down, just like Basilica A, as attested by calcified building ma-
terials. It is three-aisled with narthex, atrium and annexes. A
phiale has been discovered on the W side of the atrium and
possibly the diaconicon. The annex revealed on the SE side
of the basilica may be identified as the presbytery. From the
interior decoration numerous sculptures and parts of floors in
opus sectile are preserved.
Basilica Γ
(of Prelate Peter). The
special features of this basilica are the two smaller basilicas of
earlier periods (4th and 5th c.) that have been detected at a
lower level and whose apses have been revealed. Basilica Γ
is a building of considerable size, with two narthexes, atrium
134. Nea Anchialos, basilica A (of Aghios Demetrios) (Νέα Αγχίαλος,
βασιλική Α` (Αγίου Δημητρίου).)
