Cell Septichora Visiting Centre - ancient Christian memories - Pecs

WORLDHERITAGE IN PÉCS
The area of Pécs has been inhabited continuously for about 2000 years, ever since the Roman times. The peoples formerly living here either side - by side or one after the other left behind
an impressing amount of archaeological finds. The ruins of the late Roman Christian Necropolis, located in the north-west of the inner city, in the vicinity of the Cathedral, are of
particular interest considering they have survived several centuries of our stormy history.
The archaeological exploration of Sopianae (as Pécs was called in the Roman times) and its Necropolis has been going on for several hundred years already. The finds helped outline the
town of Sopianae and the necropolis to the north of it, on the slopes of the Mecsek Hills. The community of Sopianae built a significant number of burial structures (chapels, burial
chambers, built tombs) in the 4th century. These buildings are of outstanding value both as to their architecture and artistic features. Since the year 2000 they have been on the
UNESCOWorldHeritage list.


CELLA SEPTICHORA VISITORCENTRE

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 Visitor Centre
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 thewalls rising as high as 2 mat 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.
TheWinePitcher 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
n ame d a f t e r t h e p i t c h e r a n d g l a s s p a i n t e d o n t h e wa l l o f a n i c h e .
Burial chamber No. III.: It probably had no surface structure built above it. Its vaults have crumbled, and the cover of the sarcophaguswas 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 chamberNo.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 aswell.
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 itswall is 3.8m.

The Early Christianmausoleum
The upper part of the two-storey building was a chapel, while the lower part, decorated with murals depicting scenes from the Bible, functioned as a burial chamber. Only the latter is
open to visitors.
Early Christian burial chapel and sepulchlar structures, 8 and 14 Apáca Street Archaeological finds unearthed during several excavations can be seen on the two sites: a
burial chapel, a double tomb with painted walls, an unpainted burial chamber, and a simple tombstone.

LOCATION
TheWorld Heritage sites are found to the south of the Cathedral, on and around Szent István tér. To enter Cella Septichora Visitor Centre take the path in the upper part of the square.
The entrance to the Early Christian Mausoleum is found in the central part of the square, while the Early Christian Burial Chapel and Sepulchlar Structures are best approached from
Apáca utca.

HOWTO FIND THE SITES
Fromthe railway or coach stations: busesNo 30, 32 or 33, get off at stop BoldogságHáza and walk along Janus Pannonius utca to Szent István tér (about 4minutes), or fromthe railway
stations you can also take buses No 34, 35, or 36, get off at stop Barbakán and take a 2 minutes’walk along Esze Tamás utca to Szent István tér.
If you come by car, you can find the nearest parking lot on Barbakán tér and in the streets nearby (there is a parking fee). You need a special, pre-booked permit to drive in Szent István
tér or Apáca utca.
Groups: Buses are allowed to stop for amaximumof 10minutes in the parking lot on Barbakán tér, for passengers to get on or off the bus.

INFORMATIONONVISIT ARRANGEMENTS
Cella Septichora Visitor Centre can be visited on your own, or in groups too at pre-arranged times (from springtime to autumn tours start every 20 or 30 minutes, in wintertime every 30
or 60 minutes) accompanied by a local guide. The duration of the tour is about 1 hour. The tour of the exhibition takes 1 more hour. The Early Christian Mausoleum can be visited
without a local guide. Admission to the guided tours in English or Hungarian is detailed below.
Tourist groups: in order to avoid congestion or waiting you are recommended to make advance booking at phone/fax number +36 (72) 224-755 or at the following e-mail address:
jelentkezes@pecsorokseg.hu.
Guided tours are available for an additional charge in other languages as well. Advance booking is required.
Admission is free for children under 6 and for the disabled (+1 carer). Tickets can be booked in the Cella Septichora Visitor Centre. The exhibition is wheelchair accessible and a lift is
also available for disabled visitors.