Description of the attraction
The Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a majestic medieval landmark of Vrsar, located in the city port. This temple is a valuable monument of Romanesque architecture in Istria, and its history is more than fascinating.
In the era of the Roman Empire, the site of the church was supposedly the site of the Villa Rustica - a luxurious country house. A modest church appeared on this site in the early Middle Ages (around the second half of the 8th century). In the period from the VIII to the XII century, the church was rebuilt more than once, so its current architectural and artistic appearance remained from the moment of the last changes in the XII century. In subsequent years, the church was renovated, the last time was in 1969.
The basilica, monumental in its architecture, resembles the early Christian churches (its area is 24.5 x 12.5 meters). Lubo Karaman, a Croatian art historian, claims that the exterior of the basilica is made in the spirit of the first simple Christian buildings.
The facade of the basilica with round windows is very simple. The eastern part of the church is occupied by a bell-shaped monophore, that is, a window with one opening, topped with an arch. The interior of the church is impressive: huge arches in the Romanesque style and round columns divide the temple into three parts, and the floor is decorated with inscriptions in Latin.
