Old Basilica of Leptis Magna

The Severan Basilica at Leptis Magna is one of the most impressive and significant structures in this ancient Roman city. Built during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, who was born in Leptis Magna, the basilica was part of a grand architectural program to showcase the city's prominence within the Roman Empire. Completed around 216 CE, the basilica served multiple purposes, functioning as a courthouse, administrative center, and a venue for public gatherings. The basilica's design was inspired by the Basilica Ulpia in Rome. It measured approximately 95 meters long and 35 meters wide and was divided into three naves separated by rows of columns made of Egyptian purple granite. The interior featured elaborate decorative elements, including friezes, statues, and mosaics, reflecting the city's wealth and artistic achievements. At each end of the basilica were apses with slightly raised platforms, possibly used by magistrates during legal hearings. Some columns were decorated with representations of Hercules and Dionysus, protectors of the city since Phoenician times. In the 6th century, during the Byzantine era, the basilica was restored and converted into a church dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. This conversion involved the addition of a pulpit and a baptistery. Despite the various invasions and periods of decline that Leptis Magna faced, the Severan Basilica remains one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the Mediterranean. Today, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, visitors can explore the basilica's ruins, imagining the bustling activity and important decisions that once took place within its walls.