"Saint Nikon's" Basilica
The alleged basilica of "Saint Nicon" is the most important monument of medieval Lacedaemonia and is located in a dominant position on the Acropolis of ancient Sparta, a few metres from the ancient theatre. It is a three-aisled basilica with a tripartite sanctuary that ends in three exterior tripartite apses to the east and a narthex to the west. Later additions are the northern compartment and the stairwells (attached to its southern and western sides). There are still no certain conclusions for the reconstruction of the monument, and its dating ranges from the second half of the 6th century to the 7th century.
Initially, the basilica was identified with the temple of Sotiras, which, according to the texts of the "Life" and "Testament" of Saint Nicon, was built by Saint Nicon himself at the end of the 10th century. Today, it is considered to have been the cathedral of Lacedaemonia, one of the most important administrative and ecclesiastical centres of the Peloponnese, with intense commercial activity.