Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae), Hungary

In the 4th century AD, a remarkable series of decorated tombs were constructed in the town’s cemetery. The ruins were discovered in the north-western part of the town, near Pécs Cathedral, around 200 years ago.

The tombs provide a remarkable example of late Roman burial practices and funerary cult, and are regarded as being the largest single Christian tomb complex outside Italy. The site, known as the Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs, was granted World Heritage status in 2000.

The tombs comprised two parts. 

Underground were the burial chambers where the deceased were placed. 

These monuments are important not only structurally and architecturally, but are also significant in artistic terms, due to their richly decorated murals of outstanding quality, which depict Christian themes including biblical scenes and early Christian symbols.

Archaeologists originally identified the unearthed sepulchres using Roman numerals, but some of them have become known by names which refer to their interior mural paintings.

Its northern wall features a mural depicting the apostles Peter and Paul (hence the name of the chamber) pointing at a Christogram: the symbol of Jesus Christ. The interior of the crypt is richly decorated with biblical scenes and ornamental patterns.

Burial Chamber II – the Wine Pitcher Chamber – was also discovered in the 18th century. It was uncovered during the construction of an extensive cellar system under Pécs.

A wine pitcher and a glass were painted onto the wall of the niche which was built in the northern wall of the chamber, symbolising the thirst of the journeying soul. The chamber’s other walls are decorated with geometrical patterns, floral and lattice motifs.

Discovered in 1975, the early Christian Mausoleum was the largest of the two-storey tombs in the Roman town of Sopianae. It is located slightly to the south of the rest of the structures, indicating the original size of the cemetery.

The murals on the walls are of exceptionally high quality and depict the fall of Adam and Eve, along with Daniel among the lions and a scene of Noah and his ark. The Mausoleum is believed to have been built in the 370s AD.

Although the cemetery includes over five hundred more modest graves which cluster around the major monuments, a total of sixteen structures constitute the World Heritage property. Its official status was granted based on the following two criteria: