The Basilica of Shaqqa
Maximianopolis (Shaqqa), Trachon, Syria
3rd century CE
Shaqqa is a small town east of Philippopolis (Shahba) in southern Syria; because of some imposing Roman ruins it has been associated with Maximianopolis in Arabia, a town mentioned as a dioceses in a list of bishops attending the 451 Council of Chalcedon. The Maximian referred to by the name of the town is most likely Diocletian's co-emperor. Shaqqa is located in Hauran, a region of Syria which enjoyed a period of great prosperity after being annexed to the Roman Empire by Emperor Trajan in 106 CE.
The town retains a remarkable collection of unusual buildings, all achieved in a highly decorated form in the local basalt. The locals call the imposing ruins of a palace which perhaps was the residence of the governor of the town by Kaisariye (imperial palace),
Like the kalybè of Shaqqa, the basilica no longer appears today in the state in which M. de Vogüé was able to observe it. Fortunately, the facade is still sufficiently preserved to testify to the high quality of the construction techniques and the rigor of symmetrical composition of the elevation. And, despite the many gaps, it is still possible to restore the interior organization, with a very large central vessel, flanked by two aisles
Sources: 1, 2
