Pre-Christian Basilica Fornàs de Torelló, Mahón, Spain

Pre-Christian basilica with a regular layout, the central nave paved with a magnificent mosaic which can still be seen. It dates from the 6th century A.D., when the Byzantine army of Justinian (the Eastern Roman Emperor who aspired to rebuild the Western Roman Empire) had conquered the Balearic Islands.

It faces from east to west, and on the northern side retains a small hemispherical baptismal font built in stone and mortar, with a waterproof lining.

There are three separate sections: The rectangular apse with the base of an altar, surrounded by bunches of grapes, the central motif being a classical wine bowl and two peacocks. The grapes represent life, while the peacocks facing one another represent the resurrection. Between the nave and the head, two lions face a palm tree. They have been interpreted as a reference to Jewish tradition, which was particularly important at that time in Maó. The lions represent the power of death, while the palm is the tree of life. The nave for the congregation reveals geometric figures and depictions of birds, in a clearreference to Paradise.

References:

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Religious sites in Spain

User Reviews

Jamie Hay (21 months ago)
Quite well preserved, interesting mosaic flooring to look at, in situ. Not really much else left of the building. Worth fifteen minutes of your time.

Pedro Cardona (21 months ago)
Bonito lugar para visitar. Para llegar hay un trozo de carretera de doble sentido donde justo pasa un coche, hay que conducir con cuidado. Según en que época se nota falta de mantenimiento del lugar y los restos arqueológicos.

Salvador Moreno (2 years ago)
Basílica paleocristiana de planta regular y con la nave central pavimentada por un magnífico mosaico, que todavía hoy podemos ver. Data del siglo VI después de Cristo cuando el ejército bizantino de Justiniano (emperador romano de Oriente que aspiraba a reconstruir e Imperio Romano de Occidente) había conquistado las Islas Baleares. Está orientada de este a oeste, y en el lado norte conserva una pequeña pila bautismal semiesférica construida con piedra y mortero con un revestimiento que la impermeabiliza.

Lothar Beutin (2 years ago)
Wunderschöne gut erhaltene Mosaiken am Boden, die das Kirchenschiff, den von zwei Löwen Geschützen Eingang zum Altar und den von Vogelmosaiken umkreisten Altarraum zeigen. Sehenswert.

Josep Moll Yllanes (3 years ago)
Muy bien protegido y con fácil acceso. Falta trabajo de limpieza, pues los dibujos del mosaico tienen demasiado polvo y, aunque se pueden ver, no lucen como deberían.

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