It is from the 10th century, the first of this era to be found in the area and came "to light" after works in Kissavos
A temple of the middle Byzantine period, the only one found in the area, with a cemetery of later date, excavated in the valley of Tempe, in the framework of the works for the opening of the tunnels in Kissavos. The first evidence for the Byzantine temple was presented at an event of the association for the environment "Dryas", which took place in Larissa, the archaeologist, deputy head of the 7th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities, Stavroula Sdrolia.
"Traces of two mason banks of a sacred step were found, both in the central niche and in the south, evidence that there was a recently formed chapel", said Ms. Sdrolia in "Ethnos" and completed: "the northern portico is preserved at a lower level and shows traces of an older phase compared to that of the rest of the building".
The temple dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries and it is possible that it was destroyed by fire during the period of the Frankish conquest in 1024. It belongs to the type of road temple with a parapet, dimensions 12X11.60 meters, which bears to the east 3 semicircular niches. A cemetery was found in the surrounding area of the temple and many graves were excavated, several of which are of elaborate construction, which shows that the cemetery had organization and duration.
“So far they have been identified 50 graves, while the excavation continues and both the multiple burials and the frequent presence of young children can be attributed to an epidemic or other disaster", said Ms. Sdrolia. From the few findings of the tombs, they seem to date back to the 12th century., while the temple can be placed in the immediately preceding period.
The archaeologists point out that the lack of ceramics and other finds in the temple make it difficult to date it and they estimate that they will have safe conclusions when the excavation is completed and the study of the material proceeds. "The important thing is that it is the first temple of this era to be found in the area of Tempe, and the hypothesis of his connection with the bishopric of Lycostomi is tempting (Tempe), mentioned in Byzantine sources from the 10th century and has not been identified until today, while it is known to be transferred later ?between the 13th and 15th centuries- in Platamonas", said Ms. Rolls.
The temple is located to the east of the great and important Byzantine inn and at a distance of just 15 meters from it. The inn is a large one, rectangular building, length 27 meters and width 7 meters, with wide walls 1 meter, built on the site of a Roman station. The construction of the inn dates back to the time of Emperor Theophilos (829-842), and in fact traces of Hellenistic habitation and part of a cemetery were found under the complex.
The inn, extent 500 sq.m., offered a breath of relief, good food and wine to travelers who were almost walking 3 hours of walking in the valley, to reach Larissa or Northern Greece.
