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

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

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