Church of St. Sophia (The Old Metropolis)

The Church of Saint Sophia, known as the "Old Metropolis," is situated at the site believed to have been the city's ancient center. A three-aisled basilica measuring 25.50 meters in length, it features a single semicircular apse—three-sided on the exterior—as well as a narthex and an atrium. The side aisles are separated from the central nave by rectangular stone piers connected by brick arches, above which rises a second tier of arches. Three arched windows stand out on the eastern wall above the apse. The synthronon—a rare surviving relic of the past—is almost entirely preserved within the apse. The interior was originally plastered and decorated with frescoes, while the entire floor was covered with a mosaic of small, multicolored stones.