The Baptistery
Greece /
Kerkira /
Kassiypi /
World
/ Greece
/ Kerkira
/ Kassiypi
, 12 km from center (Κασσιόπη)
World / Albania / Vlorë / Sarandës
ruins, archaeological site, mosaic, interesting place, baptistery
By the 5th century AD Christianity was flourishing at Butrint and the city had its own bishop. The Baptistery and the Great Basilica were constructed in the early 6th century. The Baptistery was discovered in 1928 by the Italian Archaeological mission. It is the second largest baptistery in the Eastern Roman Empire, the largest being that of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul.
Every aspect of the architecture and decoration of the Baptistery is symbolic of the baptismal rite, with the fountain on the far side of the Baptistery representing the fountain of eternal life. The intricate brightly coloured mosaic has representations of land (animals), air (birds), and water (fish), symbolizing aspects of Christian salvation.
The attention of the visitor crossing the threshold of the main entrance is held by two large peacocks in a vine growing from a great vase. The peacocks symbolise paradise and immortality, and the vase and grapes, the Eucharist and the blood of Christ.
Every aspect of the architecture and decoration of the Baptistery is symbolic of the baptismal rite, with the fountain on the far side of the Baptistery representing the fountain of eternal life. The intricate brightly coloured mosaic has representations of land (animals), air (birds), and water (fish), symbolizing aspects of Christian salvation.
The attention of the visitor crossing the threshold of the main entrance is held by two large peacocks in a vine growing from a great vase. The peacocks symbolise paradise and immortality, and the vase and grapes, the Eucharist and the blood of Christ.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 39°44'43"N 20°1'22"E
- Butrint 0.5 km
- Perama 16 km
- Old Town of Corfu 16 km
- Southernmost point of Albania 20 km
- "Stone Forest" 64 km
- Dodona 69 km
- Ligiades, Ioannina 74 km
- Zalongo Cliff 87 km
- Kanali 93 km
- Αncient Nicopolis 101 km
- Butrint National Park 0.6 km
- Vivari Channel 1 km
- Ishulli Jugor i Vivarit 2.7 km
- Ishulli Verior i Vivarit 2.9 km
- Bay of Butrint 3.4 km
- Lake Butrint 3.9 km
- Corfu Channel 5.5 km
- Sarandë District 17 km
- Corfu 21 km
- Peripheral unit of Thesprotia 36 km
Comments