Salamis

Salamis

Conservation works at three sites include: Kampanopetra and Agios Epiphanios basilicas in Salamis and the opus sectile floor in the Saint Barnabas monastery.

The large basilica complex of Kampanopetra at Salamis-Constantia, on the east coast of Cyprus, was built close to the coast and was once accessible from it. The three-aisled basilica with its atriums and annexes was constructed in the late 5th/early 6th century. The aisles of the basilica end to the east in semicircular apses with the central one furnished with a synthronon. The complex has two atriums, one to the west of the narthex and one to the east of the basilica. The whole complex once had marble floors and marble furnishings (columns, bases, capitals, offering tables, et c.) mainly from the ancient island of Proconnesus.

The basilica of Agios Epiphanios at Salamis-Constantia, on the east coast of Cyprus, can be identified as the island’s earliest major basilica. It is situated close to the Agora and the temple of Zeus. The architectural characteristics of the basilica as well as literary sources point to a date at the end of the 4th century for the original phase of construction.

The seven-aisled basilica was first reconstructed in the 5th century, but its main reconstruction took place during the 6th century when its naves were reduced to five. During this major reconstruction, the west wall was completely renovated, the synthronon was constructed in the central apse and the entire complex was provided with new decorations, such as opus sectile floors as well as new mosaic floors that imitate the patterns of the marble floors.