Roman Cemetery of Sopianae

Keith and I spent a lazy Sunday afternoon checking out the Roman crypts in Pécs (built around the end of 4 A.C./early 5 A.C.) It was really awesome, and I was astonished that not only could we take photographs, but we could use our flash too...

Keith's initial reaction:

"This [crypt] was constructed before Beowolf was even written! Granted, the story was already being told, but it hadn't been written yet...isn't that crazy!?"

During the Roman rule, the area of current day Pécs was the city Sopianae. The extensive cemetery of Sopianae was built under a densely populated residential area, in the north-western part of the present-day Pécs center, of the ancient Roman settlement.

The late Roman cemetery of Sopianae is considered a Christian cemetery based on the Christian symbols of the mural decorations of the buildings found and excavated here, although heathen graves have also been discovered in this cemetery which had been used for a very long time.

It's hard to see the detail of the paintings in this video clip. The paintings are from the 4th Century on the inside of one of the tombs in the crypt.

Peter and Paul burial chamber: This 4th century building is found in the center of the necropolis. The underground part was the burial chamber with the tomb while the chapel was built above them. Visitors can admire the richly decorated walls and barrel vaults of the chamber.