Just a few kilometers south of Kilkis lies the archaeological site of Colchida, that stretches on the east bank of Gallikos River. Its foundation dates back to the 4th
AC century and it was probably preserved during the Ottoman rule, since the Turks called the villages of ColchidaAktse-Klise (Asproklissi, i.e.White church).
In the area there are traces of fortification of uncertain chronology, but also ruins of a Christian basilica of the 5thor early 6thcentury, that was converted to a Catholic monastery during the 9th or 10th century. The complex was destroyed and later rebuilt during the 11thcentury.The church has some of the best examples of Byzantine painting of the late 12thcentury.
