Painted Early Christian burial chambers, Sopianae

Christianity became a state religion as a result of measures and decrees passed during the reigns of Constantine I and Theodosius I. It quickly gained ground in the territory of the Roman Empire, including Pannonia. This is proven by the burial chambers of the early Christian necropolis excavated in Sopianae (Pécs). The Saint Peter and Paul burial chamber discovered in the 18th century is one of the nicest painted chambers. The four walls and its arched vault were decorated with paintings on dry mortar. Biblical scenes were mainly chosen, such as the Fall, Daniel in the lions’ den, the Adoration of the Magi, Noah’s Ark and the story of Jonah. The two Apostles, after whom the burial chamber is named, are represented opposite the entrance, pointing at a Christogram. Four busts in medallions can be seen amidst floral scrolls, peacocks and doves arranged around another Christogram on the vault. They may represent the members of the family buried in the chamber or the four stonemason martyrs from Pannonia. Today Dóm Square and its vicinity, where the painted burial chambers were discovered, are included among UNESCO’s world heritage sites.