Which Byzantine basilica in Poreč has a central apse mosaic showing the Virgin Mary enthroned with Christ?

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The Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč has a central apse mosaic showing the Virgin Mary enthroned with Christ.

The apse composition places Mary and the Christ Child on a jeweled throne, flanked by angels, saints, and Bishop Euphrasius. This arrangement is especially significant because Mary occupies the central position in a major sixth-century church mosaic, presenting her as the patronal and theological focus of the basilica.

The scene belongs to the rebuilding campaign led by Euphrasius, whose portrait appears among the accompanying figures. The church also preserves mosaics of apostles, medallions, and decorative foliage. Its location on the Adriatic helps explain the combination of Constantinopolitan artistic ideas with local Roman and western Mediterranean traditions.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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