Croatia12 Porec3 Byzantine mosaics in the Euphrasian Basilica

1. CROATIA 12 Porec 3

2. The Euphrasian Basilica or the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Mary is a basilica in Poreč (a town on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula), Croatia. The Episcopal complex, including, apart the basilica itself, a sacristy, a baptistery and the bell tower of the nearby archbishop's palace, is one of the best examples of early Byzantine architecture in the Mediterranean region. Because of its exceptional value, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997

3. The present basilica, dedicated to Mary, was built in the sixth century during the period of Bishop Euphrasius. It was built from 553 on the site of the older basilica that had become dilapidated. For the construction, parts of the former church were used 

4. The construction took about ten years. Euphrasius, holding the church in his arms, is represented on one of the mosaics on the apse, next to St. Maurus. The bell tower - built in the 16th century - from top of which there is a view over Porec, the surrounding countryside and the sea

6. The most striking feature of the basilica are its mosaics, dating from the 6th century, and which are considered amongst the finest examples of Byzantine art in the world

7. The wall mosaics were executed by Byzantines masters and the floor mosaics by local experts

8. The mosaics in the triumphal arch over the apse represent Christ; holding an opened book with the text "Ego sum Lux vera" (I am the true light) with the Apostles, each with their attribute

9. the Apostles, each with their attribute

11. Christ and the twelve Apostles

14. The arch below contains mosaic medallions with the Lamb of God and portraits of twelve female martyrs

16. Twelve female martyrs on the arch

17. The canopy, decorated with mosaics, is carried by four marble columns that belonged to the previous 6th-century ciborium

21. The vault over the apse is decorated with mosaics with Mary and Child, sitting on the Heavenly throne, under a wreath held by a hand - symbol of God the Father

22. This is the only surviving depiction of the Mother of God in an early-Christian western basilica

23. Mosaic with Mother Mary and Child. Second from left: St. Euphrasius with model of church

24. A wreath held by a hand - symbol of God the Father

26. The Mother of God is flanked by angels

29. Bishop Euphrasius (second from left), holding the model of the church; also local saints are depicted, including St. Maurus, the first bishop of Poreč and the Istrian diocese, and the archdeacon Claudius

30. Euphrasius, holding the church in his arms, is represented next to St. Maurus

32. The child between Euphrasius and Claudius is accompanied by the inscription "Euphrasius, son of the archdeacon"

36. All figures stand on a meadow covered with flowers

38. The canopy, decorated with mosaics, modeled after the one in St. Mark's in Venice, was built in 1277

39. The front side of the canopy depicts representations of scenes from Mary's life, the Annunciation

40. The front side of the canopy

41. the Annunciation

42. the Annunciation

43. The central mosaics between the windows of the apse and the canopy

45. The lateral mosaics between the windows of the apse represent the Annunciation and the Visitation Between these two large mosaics are smaller mosaics depicting the Young Christ with halo, and two martyrs with their martyr crown

46. The lateral mosaics between the windows of the apse represent the Annunciation and the Visitation

47. The Annunciation (detail)

48. The Annunciation (detail)

49. The Visitation  (details)