THE CHURCH OF SAINTS SERGIUS, BACCHUS and LEONTIUS IN BOSRA - SYRIA The majestic Church of Sts. Sergius, Bacchus and Leontius was founded in 512-513 during the rule of Anastasius. It was needed a long and cautious work to restore the originary walls and roofing (at present under way of consolidation) and at the same time the clearing of the recent superstructures. It was thus possible to draw an accurate plan of the articulate drawing of the church and at the same time to have an archaelogical reading of the orifinary structures, characterized by a very precise decoration composed by layers of basaltic blocs, perfectly polished externally but rough in the interiors as they were covered by plaster or marble slabs. The Church of St. Sergius) - Bosra The presbitery and the corners' niches were possibly covered by a splendid mosaic decoration, testified by parts of mortas still visible and by a huge quantity of vitreous tesserae in a very rich chromatic range, gold and silver tesserae as well as small mother-of-pearl elements. Exterior of the Church of St. Sergius The building had a long liturgical life, lasting until the 13th century, therefore also under Islam's domination, as documented by the remains of frescoes decorating the presbitery and the apse. The apse, externally polygonal like in the Constantinople's churches, is lightened by three wide windows that were closed in medieval age. Finding the originary floor level, under the medieval one, emerged the round of the priests seats in five steps. It was also found the basaltic platform of the pulpit, made in the style characteristic of Palestine architecture. Interior of the Church of St. Sergius The excavations campaign started in 1996 and is continuing at present. The apse annexed to the north wall could have been used as a baptistery, similar to the one found in the Resapha-Sergiopolis church. This presence could mean that the church was a Chatedral, or else a great Sanctuary. Near the curch there are the ruins of a building, yet to excavate, that could have been the bishop's palace.