Basilica of Son Bou

Menorca: Archaeology of the Basilica of Son Bou

The Basilica of Son Bou is easily located because it is situated on the eastern end of the beach of the same name and practically next to the sea; it was discovered and excavated in the 50s of our century and has been dated to the 5th century, a time when relations between Menorca and North Africa were very close. The building that contains this small church is rectangular, 25 by 12 m, oriented from east to west and compartmentalized in the following way: at its feet there was a portico with three entrances that gave access to the narthex (the place where the faithful who had not yet been baptized were situated), from here three entrances gave way to three naves separated by pillars upon which rested arches that are not preserved today.

The three naves end at the head, which is also tripartite with the central compartment, where the altar was located, apsidal on the inside. Of great interest is the baptismal font, currently located in the northern compartment of the head but which originally must have been at the feet, since it is a large monolithic cylinder, which is unusual in our basilicas, with its interior excavated to form a cruciform space. Inside the basilica, there is a very simple burial area and other probably monastic constructions.