Chapel of St. Maria Formosa
Exepctional representation od early medieval time
This small chapel belonged to the early-Christian Basilica of ST. Maria Formosa which once was a part of the benedictine abbey, built in the second half of the 6st century, thanks to the Archbishop Maksimilian of Ravenna, native from Rovinj.
Basilica of St. Maria Formosa was 32 meters long, and 19 meters wide, and it is believed that was erected on the ruins of Temple of Minerva. Floor and walls were originally richly decorated, especially with mosaics that have been preserved to this day, and they are in a permanent display in the Archeological Museum of Istria.
Content Blocks
The basilica was situated on the south of the city's old core, the ground plan was in the shape of a Greek cross, and one of the branches ends in the semicircular apse, but the central part where the branches are crossing off is higher from the rest of the construction. Physiognomy is simple, decorated with superficial lessens, blind arches, and semicircular arch windows.
Even though is identical to other Ravenna churches from that period, it differs according to the material with which it was built. Stone was used for the construction of the chapel and not a brick that was standard use in architecture in that period of time.
Due to the method of construction, as well as the fact that is completely preserved, the Chapel of St. Maria Formosa belongs to the monuments of great architectural value.
