The modern village of Kolchida, on the west bank of the Gallikos river, lies about 5 kms SW of the city of Kilkis. Approximately 2 kms NE of the modern settlement, on two adjacent hills, there is the archaeological site of Kolchis, featuring ruins of the Late Roman to Post-Byzantine periods. The site was discovered in the 1970s. Excavations in the southern hill brought to light a complex fortified settlement of the Early Christian period, with successive building phases, documenting a lifespan from the 4th to the 7th century. The complex includes a 4th century three-aisled cemetery basilica, which in the Justinian period was tripled in size and surrounded by workshop and warehouses.
In the 10th century (?), in part of its central nave, a single-room chapel was built, in which can be seen remains of frescoes from the second half of the 12th century. A cemetery was excavated to the SE of the complex. On the northern hill named Zoodochos Pigi, a three-aisled basilica dating from the middle of the 6th to the middle of the 7th century was fully unearthed. At the foothills there is a cave church with wall-paintings of the Middle and Late Byzantine era, whose artwork and themes are associated to neighbouring Thessaloniki. The older view of the research identified the archaeological site with the Roman station Gal(l)icum, traces of which are preserved in the name Kalikos, once mentioned as the namesake Episcopal seat during the 7th century.
