Pula, Basilica of Nora

The basilica is located along the road, called G-H, which leads from the center of the ancient Phoenician-Punic city of Nora to the port. Only part of the classroom emerges from the sea, while the apse is submerged.
At the time it was highlighted, the building was wrongly interpreted as being relevant to port facilities. More in-depth studies have shown that, in reality, it is a large basilica with a cultural function.
For its installation, pre-existing rooms were obliterated, still partially identifiable under the central nave and whose abandonment dates back to about 250 AD. This date constitutes, therefore, the “terminus post quem” for the construction of the building, which can be placed in a period of construction ferment that affected the entire city of Nora between the fourth and fifth centuries AD.
The basilica is of the type with three naves with a single apse, preceded by a narthex that overlooks Via G-H. The dimensions are considerable: 33 x 22 m. The floor of the naves and the narthex was paved with a thin layer of cocciopesto, of inaccurate workmanship, since it rested directly on a piece of dirt. Between the narthex and the aisles there was an andesite threshold. The external walls had a small thickness, unsuitable for supporting once as a roof, which instead had to be in trusses with a double slope. The external walls of the basilica and its foundations were built with reuse blocks from other buildings. The street is located at a lower level than that of the building. It is reasonable to think, therefore, that the basilica was accessed through steps, even if the state of the structures is poor and does not allow for certainty.

History of studies
In the sixties of the last century, it was excavated for the first time; investigations resumed in the years 1990-98.

Bibliography
G. Bejor, “A Basilica in Nora”, in Proceedings of the First Conference on Medieval Archaeology, Florence, 1998, pp. 251-253;
P.G. Spanu, Byzantine Sardinia between the 6th and 7th centuries, series “Late Antique and Medieval Mediterranean. Excavations and research”, Oristano, S'Alvure, 1998, pp. 38-47;
G. Bejor, “The Basilica at the Great Baths”, in Research on Nora-I (years 1990-1998), edited by C. Tronchetti, Cagliari, 2000, pp. 173-176; C. Tronchetti, Nora. Sassari, C. Delfino, 2001 (Archaeological Sardinia. Guides and itineraries; 1).

How to get there
Take the SS 195 from Cagliari up to km 27, until you turn s. for Pula. Cross the town and take Via Nora in the direction of the sea for 3 km. The basilica is inside the archaeological area of Nora.