Roman Basilica of Cadenza
| Roman Basilica of Cadenza | |
|---|---|
Basilik Romig Khadenzika | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Ladath Thaerinë |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Temple |
| Leadership | Acolyte Superior Jakúba ti'Evkha |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Cadenza, Cadenza |
| Architecture | |
| Groundbreaking | 83 AD |
| Completed | 89 AD |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | northeast |
| Length | 28.1 m |
| Width | 14.4 m |
| Height (max) | 18.2 m |
| Materials | Limestone |
The Roman Basilica of Cadenza (Khadenz: Basilik Romig Khadenzika) is a Thaerine temple in Cadenza. It was one of the first purpose-built Christian churches in Cadenza and served the city's Christian community from 89 to 236 AD, becoming a Thaerine temple in 249. It is the largest and oldest pre-medieval temple in either Cadenza or Kur'zhet and one of the best preserved ancient temples in the entire Trellinese Empire.
History
Settlers from Hesperidesia first arrived on the island of Cadenza around 70 AD, bringing with them their religion, Christianity. Within fifteen years Christianity had become the religion of the majority of Cadenzans, although the ruling elite mostly remained Thaerine adherents. The Christian merchants of the city of Cadenza petitioned the local lord to build a place of worship in 82 AD as their meeting places, mostly locals' houses, were too small to accommodate the large numbers of practitioners. Construction began the following year, with large blocks of limestone imported from what is now Lemithri. Stonemasons were hired from Ro'ekha and work proceeded over the next six years. A severe fire in 85 AD destroyed the scaffolding and much of the upper half of the structure, still under construction. Mosaics and frescoes were added during construction between 87 and 89 AD.
In 236, the Christian community moved to a new church on the riverfront. The basilica was deconsecrated and served for the next thirteen years as a marketplace before being granted to the Thaerine community. It has remained a Thaerine place of worship since 249 AD.