Cella Septichora Visitors Centre

Opening time
From 10:00
Closing time
at 17:00

History

The Cella Septichora, a sepulchral building with seven apses, has a floor plan which is unique in the whole Danube region.

It is thought to have been built as a mausoleum for a prominent person or family in the second half of the fourth century. About 4-6 meters below the ground, descending to the level of Roman architecture, we can see the walls, which have sometimes survived to a height of two metres. In fact, most of the building was built underground. It is likely that construction was never completed. At least the fact that neither roof tiles nor records of burials were found lead us to this conclusion. Supposedly the construction was terminated because of the attacks of the barbarian tribes, although the walls might have been covered with a wooden roof in the Middle Ages.


The St. Peter-St. Paul Burial Chambera Septichora

This is probably the most famous early Christian building in Pannonia. It was found during the groundwork of the Prebendary Archives in 1782. The chapel on the upper floor was used for holding funeral feasts while the burial chamber under it was accessible through a small lounge. The intact vault of the chamber is ornamented with wall paintings. The Apostles Peter and Paul can be found pointing at the Christ-monogram on the wall opposite the entrance. The eastern side is decorated with paintings of Noah’s dove with an olive branch, God with the infant Jesus and the young men of Babylon who were cast into the fiery furnace. The fresco on the western wall also depicts different scenes: Jonah being thrown in the sea, Daniel in the lion’s den and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

The Jug Tomb

Although this burial chamber had been known since the eighteenth century, parts of it were only excavated in 1964, when it was discovered to have been robbed and vandalized. While the burial chamber built underground served as a cemetery the building above it might have been used as a place for funeral feasts. The dead were commemorated here on the anniversary of their death. The chamber is built of limestone, its interior is covered with marble-like paintings with a grid pattern symbolizing the fences of the Garden of Eden with flowers in between. It was named after the painted jug in the alcove. The jug and tha glass might symbolize refreshment in Heaven. Roman coins that were found during the excavations indicate that the building was used for burials around between 370 and 380.

Late Roman - Early Christian cemetery from the fourth century

The grave complex, which is part of the World Heritage, lies below Szent István Square and its surroundings. It is a highly protected archaeological site. The cemetery, pronounced as part of the UNESCO World Heritage in 2010, provided the Christogram which is the symbol for the World Heritage sights of Pécs. The first symbol of Christianity was also found in The St. Peter-St. Paul Burial Chamber. This was the sign that appeared to Emperor Constatine before the battle at Milvius bridge in 312 accompanied by the words: “In Hoc Signo Vinces” (“With this sign, you will conquer”). Besides the initials of the name of Christ from the Greek alphabet (X=chi, P=rho) the other two letters on the Christogram of Pécs also refer to Christ (A=alpha, W=omega). “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Szent István square.


World Heritage ticket

For further information on admission fees and ticket packages of the World Heritage sites and the Medieval University visit the following website: https://www.pecsorokseg.hu/en/information/entry-fe...

HOW TO GET THERE

On foot: From Széchenyi Square in Janus Pannonius and Apáca streets.

By car: The closest car park is at Barbakán Square and the surrounding streets at pay-park areas. Driving into Szent István Square and Apáca Street is only possible by pre-bought permits.

By coach: For groups: Coaches might stop for a maximum of 10 minutes at Barbakán Square for the time of getting on and off.

By bus:

From train station: 30,130

From Kertváros: 103,130

From Zsolnay Cultural Quarter: 26,27

Contact
Name
Cella Septichora Látogatóközpont
Address
Phone number
+36 20 546 6476
Opening time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 17:00
Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00

Periods:

from 1 April to 31 October:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 18:00
cash closing: 5.30 pm

from 2 November to 31 March:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 17:00
cash closing: 4.30 pm

Closed: Monday

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