St John Church Basilica

This church was built over the tomb of St. John. The presently-visible church is cruciform and roofed with six massive domes, and was donated by the Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora. The capitals facing the nave (central aisle) bear their monograms. Persecution Gate forms the entrance to the walls of the Byzantine fortification, and is decorated with reliefs depicting scenes of pursuit from the life of the Greek hero Achilleus. It probably dates to the sixth or seventh century A. D.