Early Christian monuments

Christianity in Istria spread during the 3rd century. Soon it was followed by building churches, predominantly Byzantine in style, of which the most significant is the Euphrasian Basilica.

Christianity started spreading in Istria from Aquileia, most probably during the 3rd century. It is witnessed by many Early Christian churches and basilicas which were erected on the peninsula as well as by hagiography. The only historical and archaeologically confirmed person of the Early Christian hagiography in Istria is Mauro, the martyr from Poreč, as documented on the late 4th century inscription. Sacral buildings erected during the first years of Christianity were often built in the Bizantyne style, which ruled Istria after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

The original church of St. Mary the Great, not far from Bale, was a large three-nave basilica. The church changed in the course of time. The smaller Baroque church was built in the 17th c.

The Church and the Monastery of St. Mary the Great

Early Christian monuments

Euphrasian Basilica is the Early Christian church which interior is decorated with spectacular mosaics. Its significance has listed it among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Euphrasian Basilica

The Basilica of St. Mary Formosa dates back to the 6th c. It is an exceptionally important Early Christian monument. Unfortunately, only the south chapel, shaped as a Greek cross, has been preserved.

St. Mary Formosa

Apart from prehistoric and Roman remains, there is the Early Christian complex with the 5th century twin basilicas in the Nesactium as well.

The hall basilicas in Nesactium

The original church of St. Mary the Great, not far from Bale, was a large three-nave basilica. The church changed in the course of time. The smaller Baroque church was built in the 17th c.

The Church and the Monastery of St. Mary the Great

The St. Andrew Church and the Monastery complex was abandoned in the 13th c. Prior to its abandonment, it had been permanently upgraded. A trefoil 5th c. chapel with a multi-colour mosaic has been preserved.

The Church of St. Andrew in Betiga

The Church of St. Sophia is located on the highest elevation of abandoned Dvigrad. The first church was the Early Christian single-nave structure, which was later partitioned into a three-nave hall church.

The Church of St. Sophia in Dvigrad