The Cella Septichora Visitors Centre, so called because of the chapel's seven apses, consists of a glass structure built over the remains of the chapel and paved walkways through the archaeological find. A film shown on a 12-square-metre plasma monitor array introduces visitors to the site, and touch-sensitive monitors allow them to delve deeper into its history.
The 4th century necropolis was excavated with the help of HUF 1.5 billion in European Union funding.
Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Culture Márta Schneider said the visitors centre reflects at the same time the past, the present and the future.
Primate, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest Péter Erdő said that the centre is not only a fine example of archaeology, architecture and construction, but also allows visitors a look at the spirit of the past. The past sends a message that life does not just consist of wealth and material value, but much more. The life of a single human and of humanity is of value - the purpose of the world does not exist fortuitously, and that, which promises the future, gives us hope, no matter what circumstances.
Excavation at the site of the necropolis started as early as 1782. In the 1930s, archaeologists and historians intended to invest more money at the site and open it to the public, but their plans were postponed because of the outbreak of WWII. Now that the excavation is complete, visitors can see the entire necropolis. The latest excavation work has revealed a chapel, more burial chambers and 54 Roman-era tombs, as well as the remains of a castle from the Middle Ages.
The Early Christian necropolis was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2000. UNESCO said the tombs are "important both structurally and architecturally, since they were built as underground burial chambers with memorial chapels above the ground. The tombs are important also in artistic terms, since they are richly decorated with murals of outstanding quality depicting Christian themes."
