Early Christian Centre
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The Early Christian Centre archaeological park is situated on Erjavčeva cesta, right opposite the Cankarjev dom cultural centre. The archaeological excavations conducted here unearthed a Roman residential building. Like with the majority of Emonan houses, it was built at the beginning of the 1st century A.D. During the nearly 500 years of its existence it was rebuilt several times. The first major rebuilding was undertaken in the early 4th century. On that occasion, the floors were renovated, the hypocaust heating was arranged and three small pools were added, suggesting that the building might have been turned into private baths.
In the second half of the 4th century, one section of the house was rebuilt as an early Christian chapel. However, a major alteration occurred at the beginning of the 5th century when a rectangular baptistery with a small pool in the centre intended for baptising was built alongside the central courtyard. The baptistery floor is covered in a multi-coloured mosaic with inbuilt inscriptions bearing the names of the Emonans who had donated the funds for its assembly. There was a covered portico featuring a coloured mosaic leading to the baptistery. The mosaic had an inbuilt inscription with the name of the builder, Archdeacon Antioha. This shows there was a strong community of early Christians in Emona at that time. Its existence is also confirmed by written records which refer to Emonan bishops.
A virtual guide to the Early Christian Centre archaeological park
Location and opening times
A virtual guide to the Early Christian Centre archaeological park
