Nouvelle interprétation du complexe épiscopal "pré-euphrasien" de Poreč

The well known complex of Porec-Parenzo has witnessed a new phase of investigations since the start of works inside the bishop's palace and between the palace and the church (1994-8). The historical sequence of the multiple churches predating the Group (cathedral, atrium, baptistery) developed by Bishop Euphrasius about 550 (and still surviving) remains unclear. A. Šonje had assumed, to the north of the "pre-Euphrasian" south church, a cult-room, furnished with a free-standing presbyteral bench, which he considered as a martyrium. It has proved possible to determine that the re-excavated remains belonged rather to a church consisting of a nave with two aisles, each with a rectangular chevet and free-standing synthronos (bench), the classic form in the Northern Adriatic region and very close to the "pre-Euphrasian" south church. The episcopal group thus already formed a classic double church in the 5th century. It seems quite probable that this north church survived into the 6th century at a brief distance from the "Euphrasian" church and communicated with it through an intermediate room.