 It
is believed that the evangelist
St. John had spent his last years in the region
around Ephesus
and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the
death of Saint Paul, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th
century. The church was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of
Emperor Justinian (527
-565 AD).
The monumental basilica was in the shape of a cross and was covered with six
domes. Its construction, being of stone and brick, is an extremely rare find
amongst the architecture of its  time.
Raised by two steps and covered with marble, the tomb of St John was under the
central dome, that was once carried by the four columns at the corners. The
columns in the courtyard reveals the monograms of Emperor
Justinian and his wife
Theodora. Constructed in the
5th century AD, the baptistery is north of the
nave, with its key hole shape. Rampart walls around the church were constructed
for protection from the Arabian attracts in the
7th - 8th centuries AD. The impressive 10th
century AD frescoes representing St John,
Jesus and a
Saint, ornament the chapel. With the invasion
of Turks, the chapel was used as a mosque in the 14th century; unfortunately
Basilica of Saint John became unusable due to
the serious  earthquake
in the same century.
The excavations around the Basilica of Saint John has been continuing under the
supervision of Ekrem Akurgal
since 1973, with the financial supports of George B. Quatman.
This church was built over the tomb of St. John.
The presently-visible church is cruciform and roofed with six massive domes, and
was donated by the Emperor Justinian
and his wife
Theodora.
The capitals facing the nave (central aisle)
bear their monograms.  |
|
Saint John Basilica
