Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč

What it is

The episcopal complex of the Euphrasian Basilica, in Poreč's old town, is one of the great early Christian and Byzantine monuments of the Mediterranean. It was built by Bishop Euphrasius in the mid-6th century, between 543 and 554, in the time of Justinian, and has been preserved almost intact since. UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage list on 6 December 1997.

Its history begins earlier. By the end of the 2nd century there was already a Christian community in Poreč with its bishop, Maurus, who gathered the faithful in secret in his house; there is the fish mosaic, with the Greek word ICHTHYS. Maurus and other clerics died as martyrs in the 3rd century. After freedom of worship in 313, his house was extended as the first public church, in the 4th century a first basilica was built and in the 5th a larger one, the pre-Euphrasian. Euphrasius, seeing its poor condition, demolished almost all of it and built the present one.

What you see

• The entrance. The ceremonial portal facing the street was built by Bishop Flapp in the early 20th century; in the lunette there is a mosaic of Christ.
• The atrium, the colonnaded courtyard in front of the church, of the 6th century.
• The basilica, with three naves. Its columns and capitals came by ship from the island of Proconnesus, in the Sea of Marmara, next to Constantinople; the influence of the Byzantine capital shows throughout the decoration. In the arcade between the central and north naves there are ancient Roman stuccoes. At the back, the apse keeps the Byzantine gold-ground mosaics that have made the complex famous.
• The baptistery, which Euphrasius restored, and the cella trichora, of the second half of the 6th century, probably his mausoleum.
• The episcopal palace and the remains of the earlier basilicas, with their floor mosaics.
• The bell tower, which you can climb to see Poreč and the coast from above.

Hours

It is open every day except Sundays and Catholic holy days of obligation. It cannot be visited during religious services.

• 1 January to 28 February: from 10:00 to 16:00; closed on Saturdays.
• March: from 9:00 to 16:00.
• April to June: from 9:00 to 18:00.
• July and August: from 9:00 to 21:00.
• September: from 9:00 to 18:00.
• October: from 9:00 to 17:00.
• November and December: from 9:00 to 16:00; on Saturdays, from 9:00 to 14:00.
• 26 December to 6 January: from 9:00 to 17:00, Saturdays included.

Price

€10 for adults and €5 for schoolchildren and students. Pre-school children do not pay. For groups, one free ticket for every nine. The entrance is at Eufrazijeva ulica 22.

How long

An hour for the atrium, the basilica, the baptistery and the palace. If you climb the bell tower, add half an hour.

Getting there

The basilica is in the pedestrian old town of Poreč, on the harbour peninsula. Leave the car outside the centre and go in on foot. If you come by bus, see the coastal bus stations.

With children

The gold mosaics and the bell tower work with children. Inside, silence: it is the city's cathedral and a church in use.

When to go

First thing, before the excursion groups. In July and August, late in the afternoon, when it is open until 21:00 and the heat has dropped. Do not go on a Sunday: it is closed.