Croatia Attractions

Venue: Euphrasius' Basilica    When: Daily

The Euphrasius' Basilica dates from Byzantine times (it was built in the first half of the 6th century) and was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Euphrasius, Bishop of Porec, had the cathedral built on the site of the older city basilica (some of which has been excavated), along with a series of accompanying buildings that together were to create one of the great architectural complexes of the time. Using craftsmen from Constantinople and Ravenna, the bishop's ambitious ideas were to bring in architectural and artistic innovations the like of which the West was still unfamiliar with at that time.

Like other churches in the region of Istria in the 5th century, it developed under the influence of the architecture of the eastern coast of the Adriatic and of the Near East. Builders combined these influences with those from the Early Christian age and from Roman profane architecture to create an octagonal baptistry, a square atrium, a vestibule, a three-sided basilica and a memorial chapel with a trifoliate outline.

One of the main highlights is a series of stunning Byzantine mosaics, picturing Christ, the Apostles and the Virgin Mary as well as Bishop Euphrasius himself. Visitor tours are available every day except during religious rituals and it is also possible to climb up the bell tower for an unbeatable view of Porec and its surroundings.