The Niculitel Basilica, dating back to the 5th century, is one of the oldest religious buildings in Romania. In 1971, the townspeople discovered a cross protruding from the ground and decided to dig it up, hoping to find some treasure. To their surprise, they found the bones of six martyrs, killed by the Romans in the 4th century.
Archaeological research and documentation on the church has begun. This was a little known building that was destroyed by barbarian invasions in the 6th century, 200 years after its construction. The basilica features architecture typical of the region at the time, with three aisles and a narthex.
The crypt is still intact, as the building has been reinforced with a metal frame since 1983, which also houses the museum of the basilica.
The bones of the martyrs have been moved to the Cocos Monastery, a few kilometers from the village of Niculitel, and are brought to the village each year on the 3rd and 4th of June for religious services.
Sanctuary
Fortress/ruins
Bulgaria
Macedonia
Romania
Niculitel