Excavations reveal new finds at ancient Christian pilgrimage site

Ancient Hadrianopolis, located east of Eskipazar district of northern Karabük province, northern Turkey, is being excavated by archaeologists. This was an important site of pilgrimage for early Christians until the city lost its importance in 8th century AD due to birthplace location of Saint Alypius the Stylite.

Mosaics found in Hadrianopolis (by AA photo)
Mosaics found in Hadrianopolis (by AA photo via Daily Sabah)

Saint Alypius the Stylite is one of the pillar-saints of Christian faith, who climbed on top of pillars and spend the rest of their lives with preaching, fasting and praying, between the 6th-7th centuries. So far 14 dispersed public buildings and other structures were identified in the city, which was settled during the late Hellenistic, Roman and early Byzantine periods. These public buildings consist of two baths, two churches, a defence building, rock tombs, a theatre, an arched and dome shaped building, a monumental cult niche, a wall, villas, other monumental buildings and some cult areas. The floors of the churches are garnished with mosaics. These mosaics show figures of horses, elephants, deer and gryphons, because of this the ancient city is compared to Zeugma in southeastern Turkey, which is famous for its mosaics.

(after Daily Sabah & AA photo)

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