2024. April 23. Tuesday
Cella Septichora Visitor Centre - Pécs
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Address: 7624, Pécs Szent István tér
Phone number: (72) 224-755
E-mail: info@pecsorokseg.hu
Opening hours: 01.04-31.10.: Tue-Sun 10-18:00
01.11-31.03.: Tue-Sun 10-16 |
Gyula Gosztonyi, architect-archaeologist initiated the exploration of the Cella Septichora Early Christian burial structure as early as the beginning of the 20th century. It was also his idea that the burial chambers should be connected under the ground and opened to the public. The grant of 1.5 billion HUF obtained from the Operative Programme of Regional Development for the implementation of the project 'World Heritage in Pécs, Enhancement of its Touristic Appeal' between 2004 and 2006, enabled us to realize that dream. As a result, visitors can admire the Wine Pitcher burial chamber, the Peter and Paul burial chamber, the Octagonal burial chapel, and Burial chambers No. III., IV., XIX. and XX., opened to the public early 2007.
- Cella Septichora: This late Roman building with seven foils, built in the 4th century has a ground-plan which makes it unique in the area of the river Danube. In a depth of 4-6 m, on the former ground level visitors can see the walls rising as high as 2 m at places.
- Peter and Paul burial chamber: This 4th century building is found in the centre of the necropolis. The underground part was the burial chamber with the tomb while the chapel was built above them. Visitors can admire the richly decorated walls and barrel vaults of the chamber.
- The Wine Pitcher burial chamber: The burial chamber is found in the lower part of the once two-storey building. Its walls are decorated with geometric and floral patterns and it was named after the pitcher and glass painted on the wall of a niche.
- Burial chamber No. III.: It probably had no surface structure built above it. Its vaults have crumbled, and the cover of the sarcophagus was damaged by despoilers of the tomb.
- Burial chamber No. XIX.: The chamber explored in 2004 was found to contain two tombs separated from each other only by a brick trellis, which refers to a close relationship between the persons buried there. The chapel built on ground level has been destroyed.
- Burial chamber No. XX.: One of the three tombs found here was plastered and painted on the inside. Excavations found a large number of mural fragments suggesting that the chapel above it may have been decorated as well.
- Octagonal burial chapel: By the end of the 4th century the cemetery of Sopianae must have been full and therefore the building formerly used as a baptistery was transformed into a burial chamber. The tallest part of its wall is 3.8 m.
- Cella Septichora: This late Roman building with seven foils, built in the 4th century has a ground-plan which makes it unique in the area of the river Danube. In a depth of 4-6 m, on the former ground level visitors can see the walls rising as high as 2 m at places.
- Peter and Paul burial chamber: This 4th century building is found in the centre of the necropolis. The underground part was the burial chamber with the tomb while the chapel was built above them. Visitors can admire the richly decorated walls and barrel vaults of the chamber.
- The Wine Pitcher burial chamber: The burial chamber is found in the lower part of the once two-storey building. Its walls are decorated with geometric and floral patterns and it was named after the pitcher and glass painted on the wall of a niche.
- Burial chamber No. III.: It probably had no surface structure built above it. Its vaults have crumbled, and the cover of the sarcophagus was damaged by despoilers of the tomb.
- Burial chamber No. XIX.: The chamber explored in 2004 was found to contain two tombs separated from each other only by a brick trellis, which refers to a close relationship between the persons buried there. The chapel built on ground level has been destroyed.
- Burial chamber No. XX.: One of the three tombs found here was plastered and painted on the inside. Excavations found a large number of mural fragments suggesting that the chapel above it may have been decorated as well.
- Octagonal burial chapel: By the end of the 4th century the cemetery of Sopianae must have been full and therefore the building formerly used as a baptistery was transformed into a burial chamber. The tallest part of its wall is 3.8 m.