Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

Sopianae

Location

Baranya

Country

Hungary

Year of Research

2000

Culture

In the 4th century, a outstanding series of ornamented tombs were constructed in the cemetery of the Roman provincial town of Sopianae (modern Pécs).
These are significant both structurally and architecturally, since they were built as underground funeral chambers with memorial chapels above the ground.
The tombs are important also in artistic terms, since they are richly ornamented with murals of exceptional quality depicting Christian themes.
The funeral chambers and memorial chapels of the Sopianae cemetery bear exceptional evidence to the strength and faith of the Christian communities of Late Roman Europe. Criterion.
The unique Early Christian sepulchral art and structural design of the northern and western Roman provinces is remarkably well and fully illustrated by the Sopianae cemetery at Pécs.