Red Basilica (Temple of Serapis)

The Kizil Avlu (Red Basilica or Red Hall) of Bergama is one impressive pile of red brick.

The massive structure was built in the early 2nd century (under Hadrian) as a temple to the popular Egyptian god Serapis. It was later (4th-5th centuries) converted into a Byzantine church.

The Red Basilica was destroyed in the Arab raids of 716 to 717 AD, after which a smaller church was built within the ruins.

Today, the still-enormous Red Basilica straddles the Selinus River (Bergama Cayi), whose two subterranean galleries provide a canal for the water to pass.

The interior of the basilica consisted of three aisles divided by two rows of columns. The central aisle ended in a semi-circular apse, under which was a crypt. Above the lateral aisles were galleries.

A small mosque now makes its home in one of the towers.