Sacred Destinations

Early Christian Sites





The Early Christian (or Paleochristian) era roughly covers the period 100-600 AD. Early Christian places include Roman catacombs, ancient baptisteries, early Byzantine churches, churches built by Constantine and sites connected with the early church fathers and major councils. In some cases a newer church has been built over the original, but most of those listed retain their early Christian characteristics. Also included are museums with a large collection of Paleochristian art. Below is an illustrated index of the 39 Early Christian Sites profiled on Sacred Destinations so far. For photo credits, please see corresponding articles.


Featured Early Christian Sites

Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Built in 548 over the site of the martyrdom of St. Vitalis, this octagonal church contains some of the most celebrated mosaics in the West.
This important archaeological site has been called the Pompeii of the Syrian Desert. It was abandoned in the 3rd century and is home to the oldest surviving house-church and synagogue ever found.
The area known as Wadi Kharrar has long been believed to be the biblical Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, where John the Baptist lived and Jesus was baptized.

All Early Christian Sites (by Country)

Baptistère Saint-Jean
Baptistère Saint-Jean
Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes, France
Trier Cathedral
Trier Cathedral
Trier, Germany
Bishop's Museum
Bishop's Museum
Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Church of the Loaves and Fishes
Church of the Loaves and Fishes
Tabgha, Galilee, Israel
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Santa Maria Maggiore
Santa Maria Maggiore
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura
Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura
Rome, Lazio, Italy
San Clemente
San Clemente
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Santa Costanza
Santa Costanza
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Rome, Lazio, Italy
San Paolo fuori le Mura
San Paolo fuori le Mura
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Santa Sabina
Santa Sabina
Rome, Lazio, Italy
San Vitale Basilica
San Vitale Basilica
Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Arian Baptistery
Arian Baptistery
Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Neonian Baptistery
Neonian Baptistery
Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Paestum Byzantine Church
Paestum Byzantine Church
Paestum, Campania, Italy
Catacombs of St. John
Catacombs of St. John
Siracusa, Sicily, Italy
San Salvatore
San Salvatore
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy
Milan Baptistery
Milan Baptistery
Milan, Lombardy, Italy
San Lorenzo Maggiore
San Lorenzo Maggiore
Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Early Christian Catacombs
Early Christian Catacombs
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Naples Cathedral
Naples Cathedral
Naples, Campania, Italy
Florence Baptistery
Florence Baptistery
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Jerash
Jerash
Jordan
St. Paul's Catacombs
St. Paul's Catacombs
Rabat, Malta Island, Malta
Archaeological Site
Archaeological Site
Geneva, Canton Geneva, Switzerland
Carthage
Carthage
Tunisia
Basilica of St. John
Basilica of St. John
Ephesus, Turkey
Church of Mary
Church of Mary
Ephesus, Turkey
Cave Church of St. Peter
Cave Church of St. Peter
Antioch, Turkey
Seleucia Pieria Church
Seleucia Pieria Church
Antioch, Turkey




Sacred Destinations Home     About     Contact     Using Images     Advertise     Blog     Twitter     Privacy Policy
Stock photos of religious art and architecture for licensing: Art History Images
Except where indicated otherwise, all content and images © 2005-11 Sacred Destinations. All rights reserved.

Sacred Destinations is an online travel guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, holy places, religious history, sacred places, historical religious sites, archaeological sites,
religious festivals, sacred sites, spiritual retreats, religious travel and spiritual journeys.
Free content for your Google homepage or website! Get the Sacred Destinations Daily Photo Gadget

Travel resources: Spiritual Tour Directory, Sightseeing Tours, Hotels, Travel Insurance
Popular categories: Biblical Sites, Cathedrals, Catholic Shrines, Footsteps of Jesus, Luther Sites, Megalithic Mysteries
Popular sacred sites: Easter Island, Lourdes, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Oberammergau Passion Play, Shroud of Turin, Sistine Chapel, St. Mark's Basilica, St. Peter's Basilica, Stonehenge
Popular city guides: Rome, Ravenna, Ephesus, Assisi, Paris, Jerusalem
Popular maps: England Map, Italy Map, Jerusalem Map, London Map, Paris Map, Rome Map