Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu)visitor guide.

Built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, the temple was likely dedicated to Egyptian deities Serapis, Harpokrates, and Isis. Measuring 270 x 100 meters with the temple proper at 60 x 20 meters, it is one of Pergamon's most grandiose monuments. Due to being constructed entirely of red brick with a vast forecourt, the temple became popularly known as the 'Red Basilica' (Kızıl Avlu). Driven by contemporary Roman fascination with Egyptian culture, it was built in the very center of lower Pergamon. The temple's forecourt rests atop vaulted water tunnels spanning the Bergama (Selinus) River. This engineering feat features a propylon projecting on the central axis into the courtyard and a colossal entrance portal behind it. Framed by heavy marble jambs, the portal had massive doors, likely bronze-clad. Only the front of the sanctuary was lit by windows; the rear holding the cult statue was left windowless for twilight mysticism. At the rear stood two high marble-clad plinths supporting a seated colossal cult statue roughly 10–12 meters high. Beneath the podium lay a cistern and secret subterranean passages and stairways extending beneath the main hall, circular rotundas, and courtyards, where priests likely ascended into the hollow cult statue to deliver divine oracles. The sanctuary was sheltered by a sturdy timber roof frame. Symmetrical flanking circular towers with apses indicate worship of attendant deities alongside the principal god. In the Early Byzantine period, interior architectural additions converted the sanctuary into one of the early Seven Churches of Asia. DOWNLOAD MUSEUM BROCHURE NEARBY MUSEUMS EPHESUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE PERGAMON ACROPOLIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE EPHESUS MUSEUM ST. JOHN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE AGORA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE EPHESUS TERRACE HOUSES