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Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian

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Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian This was restored and enlarged with the addition of a second hall (the basilicae geminae) later in the 4th century, but remained a simple structure with a rectangular plan. ln the 5th century a new church was built on the site. It took the form of a three-aisled basilica without an apse, characteristic for !stria and Noricum. The present church was built in the mid 6th century to the orders of the bishop whose name it retains, Euphrasius. ln his dedicatory inscription in the apse mosaic, Euphrasius comments that the church that he fmmd on this site was ruinous and devoid of omamentation; however, recent studies have Identification established that this was a somewhat exaggerated statement, since the new building incorporated three Nomination The episcopal complex of the of the perimeter walls of the earlier structure and Euphrasian Basilica in the historie traces of mosaics from this phase have been centre ofPorec discovered. Location !stria In addition to his new basilica, Euphrasius erected a complex of associated buildings - an atrium beyond the narrow narthex of the basilica, a baptistery at the State Party Republic of Croatia end of the atrium, a monumental episcopal palace between the atrium and the sea, and a small memorial Date 19 July 1996 chapel to the north-east of the basilica. Ali these buildings were richly omamented with mosaics, alabaster, marble, mother-of-pearl, and stucco, in the lavish tradition of the Byzantine "Golden Age" during the reign of Justinian. Justification by State Party Later additions to the complex were the "Kanonika" The Euphrasian Basilica in Porec is the most (Canon's Bouse) of 1257, the 16th century bell­ integrally preserved early Christian cathedral tower, and sorne minor buildings such as the sacristy complex and unique by virtue of the fact that all the (15th century) and two chapels (17th and 19th basic components - church, memorial chape!, atrium, centuries respectively). baptistery, and episcopal palace - are preserved. Description The Basilica, including its earlier phases ( oratory, basilica gemina, and basilica proper), is a The episcopal complex is an integral part of the characteristic example of 5th and 6th century historie centre of Porec, which has preserved its religious architecture, showing significant Byzantine Roman street pattern to a considerable extent. The influence. It is a unique artistic achievement, original church, in an insula in the north-eastern especially because of its mosaics. quarter of the Roman town, was extended by Euphrasius, so that the narthex of his new basilica Criteria i, iii, and iv occupies part of the Roman street. The basic complex consists of the three-aisled Category of property basilica with a triple apse, the elliptical memorial chape! to the north-east of the basilica, the narthex on ln terms of the categories of cultural property set out its west front, the square atrium, partitioned by a in Article 1 of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, quadriporticus, the octagonal baptistery, and the this is a group ofbuildings. episcopal palace The basilica built by Euphrasius in the 6th century is History and Description three-aisled, with a large central apse flanked by two shallower side apses. The walls on the northem, History western, and southern sides are those of the earlier basilica on the site, and the bases of the two rows of Churches were established in Porec (the Municipium nine colurnns that divide up the interior are also from Parentium of the Roman province ofHistria) between that structure. the early 4th and mid 6th centuries. No fewer than four were built in succession on the north coast of the The plain columns are surmounted by capitals with low peninsula where the town was situated; only the different forms of carved omamentation (the latest of these, the basilica of Euphrasius, has Byzantine version of Corinthian capitals: inverted survived. basket capitals; fretted capitals with animal and vegetable motifs above), but identical in opposite The earliest phase, a simple oratory within a large pairs. They are linked by arcading with stucco Roman private house in which the bones of the local omamentation, which survives intact on the north martyr, Maurus, were placed, is dated to armmd 313. side, where traces of the original polychrome paint 16 are still discemible. The 15th centmy frescos are also Management still visible on the western wall and in the lunette over the southem apse. The complex is owned by the Porec and Pula Episcopal Ordinariate. It retains its function as the The marble priests' seat extends the whole length of cathedral of the Porec and Pula Diocese, although the the main apse, with a raised episcopal throne in the residence of the bishop moved from the Bisbop's centre. The lower part of the wall is decorated with Palace in 1992 (it is nowa museum). coloured stone and mother-of-pearl. Above there is a stucco band, below the mosaics, which occupy the Direct management of the complex is the spaces around the four windows, the interior of the responsibility of the Cultural Monuments Protection semi-dome, and the front wall. The central feature, and Reconstruction Committee, of which the inside the dome, is a representation of the Virgin president is the Mayor ofPorec. Mary, holding the Christ child and flanked by angels, The management plan provides for the church, local martyrs, and Bishop Euphrasius. Only a small sacristy, atrium, and baptistery to retain their active portion of the original floor mosaics survive, in the ecclesiastical functions. The archaeological area and south apse. the former Palace will be further developed as a The exteriors of the walls are plastered and divided museum. by pilaster strips, connected by blind arcades. The The maps and plans provided in the nomination 'Whole of the top section of the west front of the dossier contain precise delineation of the monument building, above the cloistered narthex, was originally zone proposed for inscription on the W orld Heritage covered with mosaics, but rouch of this decoration List, but there is no indication of any form of buffer bas disappeared. zone (but see "ICOMOS recommendations for future The memorial chape! is reached from the main action" below). basilica by a narrow barrel-vaulted corridor. The chape! is of trefoil plan, the apses being round inside and polygonal on the exterior. Traces of mosaic are Conservation and Autbenticity still visible on the floor of the forecourt. Conservation history Only small traces of the 6th century bishop 's palace The buildings of the complex were in a poor state of can now be recognized. It appears to have been repair in the 18th century when Bishop Negri, who originally an oblong building with an interior was interested in the history of the buildings, arrangement of three aisles, the centre one instituted the fust restoration work on the cathedral. terminating in an apse. The present structure is more recent, consisting of additional structures added over Extensive reconstruction took place on the portico of many centuries; as a result it is utilitarian in the atrium in 1866, 'Whilst the baptistery, which at appearance. that time was roofless and in danger of complete collapse, was comprehensively reconstructed. The The baptistery and the atrium conserve their original fust major modern project lasted from 1929 to 1939 forms but have been heavily restored in recent years; and involved extensive archaeological excavation and they are recorded as having been in ruins as early as architectural restoration and reconstruction on many the 16th century. parts of the complex. Archaeological excavations in the present century Since 1953 a large number of restoration and have uncovered substantial remains of the northern of conservation projects have been carried out. A new the "twin churches." These are on display and contain campaign of overall restoration of the 'Whole complex sorne fine 5th and 6th century mosaics. began in 1994-96 and is continuing. The report of the ICOMOS expert mission (see Management and Protection "Action by ICOMOS" below) commented that "The recent architectural and structural researcb measures Legal status which have been carried out with extraordinary sensitivity and the consequent conservation and The Euphrasian Basilica is a cultural monument restoration activities bear witness to the high quality designated according to the 1967 Cultural of the conservators responsible (as weil as the Monuments Protection Act. It was inscribed in 1968 churchmen and civil servants entrusted with the as No RRI-186 in the Register oflmm.ovable Cultural complex's care). It can thus be expected that future Monuments. As a result, any intervention requires conservation and restoration measures will be carried authorization by the competent local protection out with the correct proportions of protective and agency, in this case the Rijeka Branch Office of the visual authenticity and restraint." State Agency for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage. Authenticity It is relevant in this context to note that the historie The authenticity of the Euphrasian episcopal complex centre of Porec, which retains much of the Roman is an exemplary illustration of historical multi­ layout and contains a number of medieval buildings stratification, in the spirit of the 1964 Venice Charter. and most of its medieval fortifications, is also Restoration work bas been carried out here from the protected under this legislation. Middle Ages up to the present day, according to the 17 perceptions and philosophies of the succeeding that is exceptional by virtue of its completeness periods. and its unique basilican cathedral. The results of this continuous activity have become intrinsic parts of the monument itself and bestow a special value on it as witnesses to historical change. ICOMOS, September 1997 Evaluation Action by !COMOS An ICOMOS expert mission visited Porec in January 1997.
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