It was first built by the Roman emperor in the 2nd century BC and dedicated to the Egyptian gods Serapion and Isis. It is known that the temple had a 10-meter-high statue of the underground god Serapion during the first use of the temple and that the priests performed the ritual in which the statue was entered through the underground tunnel. The Red Basilica is where Christians gathered and secretly worshipped at times when the religion was forbidden. At the same time, it is one of the seven churches mentioned in the Saint John’s Bible and is the only church whose location is known. The temple, which was transformed into a church during the Roman period, was called the Red Basilica because the exterior walls were completely covered with bricks.
During the excavation of the temple, tablets related to the temple were found and as a result of this, it was understood that the bricks used in the construction of the temple were produced in a quarry in Manisa, which is about 40 km away, and carried here by slaves. Restoration works are carried out in and around the Red Basilica. You can follow the signs to go to the Red Basilica in the city centre.
Visiting hours:
April 15- October 2, between the hours of 08:00- 18:30
October 3- April 14, between the hours of 08:30- 17:00
Those who have museum card can visit here for free.
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