SOLI RUINS

The Basilica was constructed in the second half of the 4th century, and it was one of the first churches to be built on the island. Although it was expanded in the 5th and 6th centuries, it was destroyed by the Arab raids in the 7th century. The church has three gates; its courtyard has a fountain and it is ringed with columns. The church can be entered through three gates from behind the church. Inside, there are two rows of 12 columns. Most of the mosaics on the floor with drawings of animals and geometric shapes have been preserved. Soli is noted as the place St. Mark was baptized by St. Auxibius in the Christian world. The Soli Roman Theatre The theatre was built on the site of a Greek theatre between the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D.. It is on the skirt of a hill facing the sea. The auditorium was carved into the rocky part of the hill. This section and the orchestra in the middle are separated with a low, limestone wall and access to the orchestra and to the auditorium was via aisles at the sides. The original capacity of the theatre was 4000; the stage building has two storeys. This section is decorated with marble and statues. A temple dedicated to Aphrodite has been discovered on a hill to the west of the theatre.