The synagogue of Saranda, is also known as the Christian Basilica (modern Saranda). This monument has three historical building phases. The monument was built in Roman period as a Villa or Domus. In a later period it was transformed into a Synagogue, and in its last phase the monument was adopted and used as a Christian Basilica. The excavation was focused on two mosaics floors: one of them shows the motive of menorah (a candlestick with seven hands). The second floor extends into the aisles of the monument. The excavation revealed half of the menorah room, which was covered by a modern structure. During this excavation season a room 8 m long and 5 m wide was exposed. The northern wall dates to a later period then the construction phase of the room. Originally this area has had a L – shape, as it is indicate by the remains of the earlier wall on the eastern side and the mosaic floor that passes underneath it. This is also confirmed by the results of the sondages carried out in the corridor between the two water cisterns and the areas on the north.
To the eastern wall is adjoining a drainage system that passes all through the menorah room and comes out to the paved yard. The excavation demonstrates that the room was all paved in mosaic apart from a small area in the north entrance. It was also revealed the northern wall which date to a later period of construction. To this phase belong also the pillars of the western wall. The entrances on the north – west side date to the first phase whereas the staircase might have been rebuilt in a second phase of construction. The floor was covered by a burned layer deposit, rich in archaeological material such as: pottery vessels, imported amphora, kitchen pottery wares, dating to the 4th – 6th centuries A.D.
The trial excavation carried out in various areas of the central nave and in between the pillars of the northern nave, gave important detailed data for the history of the monument. The mosaic floors are the most important element for defying the chronology of the monument. Three mosaic levels that go before the floor layer of the basilica. To an earlier phase then the construction of the basilica is dated the water cistern (B), set partly underneath the ground. The water cistern might belong to the second phase or third phase of the building. It is interpreted as the mikveh of the Jewish ritual.
The sondages carried out in two of the areas opposite the basilica entrance proved them to be part of the pre-basilica phase. Sondages were also undertaken in the areas on the east of the menorah room.
During this excavation seasons were identified the areas of the monument that belong to the synagogue. These latter areas are as follows: the L – shaped room, containing the menorah symbol on the floor, the yard and two areas on the western part of it, and the mosaic floor covering the half of the western part of the central nave. In a later phase, these areas are used as a prayer hall, decorated with biblical symbols. At this time the new monument appeared to have been used as a Christian basilica.
The monument was destroyed by a tremendous fire in the last quarter of the 6th century A.D., as it is ascertain by a half follies coin of the Justin II, found in the floor deposit, given as a terminus post quem date for the monument. The destruction of this building complex and of the ancient city of Anchiasmos date approximately to the year 580 A.D.