Sufetula - Church of Vitalis

Beyond the Chapel of Jucundus in Sufetula are the remains of the Church of Vitalis, built on the site of a large villa towards the end of the fifth century, when the Christian community had become too large for the church of Bellator. Sited in conformity with the Roman street grid, it had five aisles, separated by double columns, and measured 50m/164ft by 25m/82ft. The baptistery is particularly well preserved, with four columns which supported a canopy over the font. A fragment of a mosaic from an earlier building (probably third century) was found on the site. Immediately behind the church are remains of baths of the Christian period.