Vasiliki Lenta

Today, an early Christian Basilica stands in the vicinity of the ancient city of Crete Levinos (Lentas).

As per the Ministry of Culture, excavations in the area were conducted by the Italian School of Archaeology in the early 20th century.

The basilica underwent at least two construction phases. The initial phase occurred in the first half of the 5th century AD, following the spread of Christianity in the area, resulting in the erection of a three-aisled, wooden-roofed basilica in the simple Hellenistic style. Subsequently, during the second building phase in the mid-6th century, the original basilica was destroyed, probably by earthquake or other causes, and rebuilt on the same site, preserving its original shape and size.

The basilica met its demise in the mid-7th century AD and has remained abandoned ever since.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons