Early Christian Basilica

The small basilica situated at the foot of the eastern slope of the Hill of Temples, in an area previously occupied by the necropolis of the late Roman period, is the oldest of the three early Christian places of worship in the city, the others being the basilica dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, built in the Temple of Concord, and the one situated not far from the temple in the proximity of Villa Athena. The rectangular-plan building has a nave but no side aisles; the entrance is to the east, preceded by a small vestibule reserved for catuchemens and penitents (narthex), while on the west side there is a semicircular apse. Embedded in the floor of the nave are two pre-existing tombs (b-c), the presence of which suggests that the small church (martyry) may have been erected in memory of the martyrs Saints Libertino and Peregrino - who, according to tradition, were martyred at Agrigento during the persecution of the 3rd century - on the site where they were buried. Two chronological phases have been attributed to the basilica. It can be dated to the time of Constantine (early decades of the 4th century), due to the discovery, inside the basilica, of a hoard of coins. However, it was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt during the 5th century. The building retained its burial function in the second phase as well, as demonstrated by the presence of a tomb on the south side (a) and other graves in the immediate vicinity.

 

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Testo di: Valentina Calì
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