Macedonia

Mosaics, originally uploaded by mijawara.

A small Basilica was discovered in excavations made before the Second World War between 1936-1938. At first it was thought to be an ancient palace, but in the later research from 1960-1964, it became clear that it was an early Christian basilica. There is a decorated floor mosaic, exposed now to the sun and elements, within the basilica and several rooms have been unearthed. The mosaic in the narthex is of early Byzantine art, a big composition at a size of 100 square metres, with birds, trees, bushes, a red dog (a symbol of paradise), and animals beasts as a domain of the earth. This mosaic dates from the end of the 6th century.