Three-apsidal church

In 2004, two predecessor buildings to the hall church were discovered during archaeological excavations on Saalplatz. The older of these buildings is a so-called three-apsidal church (Trikonchos), named after its three semi-circular building ends, which are reminiscent of the shape of a cloverleaf. This is an ancient form of construction based on Byzantine architecture. The eleven metre long sacred building from the 8th or 9th century was connected to the north wing. Current research suggests that it was a private manorial chapel.

The chapel was later demolished and another small church building was erected in its place, which existed until at least the beginning of the 13th century. In the 11th or 12th century, the hall church was built in the immediate neighbourhood. Only a few remains of the triconchos are still in the ground, so its shape and location were reconstructed with the help of white travertine stones in the pavement.
You can find out more about the history of the three sacred buildings in the Imperial Palace Archaeological Zone in the interior of the hall church.