UNESCO protected Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč being reconstructed 

Poreč

ZAGREB, 16 Jan  (Hina) – The reconstruction of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč continues, and the construction site was visited by Poreč Mayor Loris Peršurić, Poreč parish priest Mladen Pranjić and the director of the Poreč Heritage Museum Elena Uljančić.

The reconstruction of the roof of the sacristy is under way, and it was said during the tour that this was  the continuation of the activities conducted annually by the Croatian Conservation Institute.

After a renovation of the bell tower, complete in the summer of 2020, and the creation of the necessary project documentation, a structural reconstruction was carried out last year and the roof covering over the baptistery was replaced.

The erection of the scaffolding for the reconstruction of the roof allowed a detailed inspection of the upper zones of the walls of the baptistery, conservation-restoration research and documentation of the condition, as well as work on the presentation of the various construction phases.

(Photo: Georges Jansoone/CC BY-SA 4.0)

The research also confirmed the existence of parts of a monumental Latin inscription in two lines, carved into a fine layer of final plaster. However, due to the height at which they are located, the remains of the inscription are not visible from the perspective of the visitors to the Euphrasian Basilica.

In addition, conservation and restoration works were carried out to protect parts of the mosaics in the archaeological zone in the northern part of the complex.

The complex of the Euphrasian Basilica is one of the best-preserved structures of early Christian architecture in the world and it belongs to the world’s most important historical monuments. It was built in the 6th century on the site of an early Christian church, at the time of Bishop Euphrasius and Emperor Justinian I, and it is located in the bishop’s complex.

In 1997, UNESCO inscribed the Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč on the World Heritage List.

(Photo: Berthold Werner/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Therefore, this year again, Mayor Peršurić proposed an amendment to the state budget for the continuation of the renovation project, which was accepted in the amount of €150,000.

“The Euphrasian Basilica is Poreč’s most valuable cultural asset,” said Mayor Peršurić, adding they were grateful for the acceptance of the amendment and the further financing of the works carried out by the Croatian Restoration Institute, because they recognised the importance of the Euphrasian Basilica not only for Poreč, but also for Croatia.

“We who deal with the restoration of Poreč monuments can be very satisfied with the results of the work of the expert team of the Croatian Restoration Institute and the Conservation Department in Pula. Every year, an additional contribution is made to the restoration and valorisation of this unique cathedral complex,” said director Uljančić.