Euphrasian Basilica
The Euphrasiana in Poreč is the cathedral of the Diocese of Poreč - Pula Croatia. The built in its present form in the 6th century church is one of the most important religious buildings in Croatia. Because they have hardly been changed in later times, it is one of the important letters of late antique and early Byzantine art in the whole Adriatic region; In 1997 she was included by UNESCO in the list of world cultural heritage.
Named the Basilica after Bishop Euphrasius who built the church with the involvement of parts of the previous building 543-554. The basilica and the surrounding complex of ecclesiastical buildings (atrium, Bishop's Palace, chapter house, and others) lie to the north of the small peninsula which is taken from the old town Poreč.
Architectural History
In place of the later church was located around 300 a modest oratory, which was part of a large Roman private house. 313 where the martyr was buried Mauro of Poreč. The oratorio was expanded in the 4th century of the two naves ( Basilicae geminae ). For this second phase, floor mosaics are obtained with the fish as a symbol of Christ. They can be by coins found in the time of Emperor Valens ( 365-378 ) and dated a little later. The mosaics include the names of donors with numbers of each donated space.
In the 5th century a new church was built. The now three-aisled basilica was referring also includes parts of the old building. As in Istria and Noricum usual at this time of the construction has no apse. This church was in the middle of the 6th century so dilapidated that the then Bishop Euphrasius decided to demolition and new construction. With the dedicatory inscription and his image as the founder of the mosaics in the great apse Euphrasius put a monument.
They in turn used parts of the previous buildings. The walls on the north, west and south sides and the bases of 18 columns in the interior were integrated. Innovations were the three apses, the main and complete the aisles to the east the.
Equipment
The equipment reached with expensive imported marble, rich mosaics and stucco as well as inlays of stone and mother of pearl, and elaborate capitals a very high level.
Floor mosaics
From the predecessors of Euphrasiana mosaics are still available. There is a mosaic with Mäanderornamenten, in which the top two small mosaic cubes are inserted with fish on the east side. The four round holes in the mosaic originate from altar columns. This also decorated with meanders larger second box frames a rectangle with a kantharos from the lush leafy vines grow. The parts of the floor mosaic located under the north aisle of the basilica and extend to the colonnade of the northern Akaden, are in fairly good condition. About this first layer of mosaics still lay another layer which, with the exception of Subselliums where a carefully executed tendril can be found, is less high quality.
Wall mosaics
Furthermore, also was at the front of the Basilica Euphrasius a mosaic that is forgotten about. The image program contains vines and flowers is a representation of the enthroned on the vault of heaven Christ, four sources ( representing the four rivers of paradise ), the twelve apostles and the seven candlesticks apocalyptic.
The front wall of the apse is framed by a narrow ornamented band. In the narrow field above the triumphal arch of the young Christ sits on the vault of heaven. In the book in his hand is Ego sum lux vera. It is surrounded by the twelve apostles with different attributes and their names. The bottom sheet of the mosaic is decorated with medallions, which are separated by inscriptions. Apart from Christ as the Lamb of God six saints are arranged on each side.
The upper apse vault contains Mary with the baby Jesus surrounded by angels and martyrs, Bishop Euphrasius and the deacon. Mary is seated on a throne covered by a pillow. On both sides are two angels who have the comers the way. One group is made up of martyrs with a halo, the other from Maurus, Euphrasius and the archdeacon Claudius. Between Euphrasius and Claudius is a child with the inscription Euphrasius son of the archdeacon. The figures stand on a vegetated with flower meadow.
Under the dedicatory inscription beside the windows are five mosaic surfaces with the following content. On the north side the Annunciation is shown. An angel raises his hand as a sign of the Annunciation. In his left hand he holds a herald's staff. Mary is wearing a purple dress and a veil. She holds yarn in the left hand. On the south side of Mary meets Elizabeth. Both wear a cassock of time with a cape made of ribbons. Behind Elisabeth is a small house to see the curtain is pushed by a small female figure to the side. The three smaller fields are adorned by John the Baptist an angel and Zechariah.
The image shown in two vestibules shows the young Christ with halo that touches every two martyrs, the martyr's crown. In the north apse probably Cosmas and Damian, in the southern apse Ursus (or other Ravenna Phonetic bishop) and Severus are shown.
Stucco
The underside of the arches of the northern nave arcade is provided with stucco patterns, some of which motifs are used from the animal and plant kingdom. The stucco shows traces of a color version.
Incrustations
The entire lower part of the apse is decorated with incrustations of colored stone tiles and mother of pearl. Parts of the paneling from a former paneling. The findings show how was working fine. The wall decorations consists of 21 fields with 11 Ornament combinations. Behind the bishop's throne candlesticks and a cross are shown.
Other buildings in the area
The complex around the Euphrasiana include the built in front of the narthex of the church atrium, baptistery, the Bishop's Palace and a small chapel, all of which were also built by Bishop Euphrasius in the 6th century. 1257 a house was added to the canons of the cathedral in the 15th century, a vestry was added and built in the 16th century bell tower.