To the south of Mytilene, 2 km from the settlement of Loutra, in the location “Cesmedes”, an archaeological excavation brought to light a mosaic section of an early Christian basilica and scattered architectural members (thorakia, etc.), which are protected by a low canopy. It is said to have been built in the 5th century. A.D. and was excavated in 1933 by Evangelidis.
The basilica was three-aisled with a narthex and a rectangular presbytery. The middle aisle and the narthex were covered with a beautiful mosaic, part of which is preserved to this day and the visitor can see it under the roof. Representations of birds with olive branches in circles, hexagons and triangles, bands of intertwined wavy lines forming circles dominate the mosaic program. The colors of the tiles are red, white, black, yellow, blue and brown. Worthy of attention is the marble inscription that was found: “FOR BLESSING AND SALVATION “. In addition to these, the visitor can also admire other architectural pieces
To the south of the mosaic floor is an old church, known as “Paliakklisia”, in which there are built-in architectural members, probably from the basilica. Byzantine gold coins were also found in the area, and there are remains of an ancient settlement, while at the same time a tradition states that the empress Irene Athenaia was exiled there. However, information about the two Loutra temples is limited.
