La Basílica visigótica del anfiteatro de Tarragona: definición, técnicas constructivas y simbología de un templo martirial (2016)

Bishop Fructuous and his deaconsAugurius and Eulogius were executedin the year 259 in the Tarracoamphitheatre. Two superimposedchurches are located in this area. Theupper church dates to the 12th centuryand the lower was built in late 6thcentury or early 7th century. The latterfeatures three naves, a sanctuary,ambon choir and an adjacent roomwhich served as preparatorium,mausoleum and baptistery. A greatconstruction effort was made to placethe temple in the exact space of themartyrdom as it was necessary to laythe foundations for its structures at thebottom of the fossae. The basilicaexploited most building elements fromthe Late Imperial period of theamphitheatre and other buildings in thecity. The metrological study of thetemple shows that it was designedbased on meditated technical andtheological criteria applying a holymathematics in keeping with thethought of Augustine of Hippo andIsidore of Seville.