Small Basilica, Plovdiv
The Small Basilica of Philippopolis (Bulgarian: Малка базилика на Филипопол, Malka bazilika na Filipopol) is one of Plovdiv's most distinctive landmarks. The basilica is located on Maria Louisa Blvd in the central part of Bulgaria's second-largest city. The ruins of the early Christian church were found during construction works in the area in 1988. The three-nave basilica is an example of the exceptional skill of mosaic builders in ancient Philippopolis.
Small basilica Exterior | |
Small Basilica Shown within Plovdiv City Center | |
Location | Plovdiv, Bulgaria |
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Coordinates | 42.146448°N 24.757944°E |
Type | Basilica |
Length | 20 m |
Width | 13 m |
History | |
Material | bricks, marble |
Founded | The second half of the 5th century AD |
Abandoned | The end of 6th century AD |
Periods | Roman Empire |
Site notes | |
Excavation dates | 1988, 2010 |
Archaeologists | Mina Bospachieva |
Condition | Restored |
Ownership | Plovdiv Municipality |
Public access | Yes |
Part of a series on the ancient city of |
Philippopolis |
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Buildings and structures |
Religious
Fortification
Residential
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Related topics |
• History • Timeline |
The basilica
The basilica was built in the second half of the 5th century AD and contained rich architectural decoration including a marble colonnade between the naves, a marble altar screen, a pulpit, and a synthronon in the altar apse. The total length of the building is 20 m and its width is 13 m. Originally, it was built as a three-nave basilica with one apse and a narthex. The floors are covered with colorful Roman mosaics with geometrical motifs. A small chapel is built against the south end of the basilica and a baptistery is attached to the northern part of the building. The total length of the church is 20 m and its width is 13 m. The baptistery has a square plan, and contains a cruciform baptizing pool and polychromatic mosaics. Deers, pigeons, and other Christian symbols were depicted on them.
- Mosaic floor
- The baptistery
Excavation and restoration
- 1988 - The ruins of the early Christian basilica were accidentally discovered during the construction of an apartment block in the area.
- 1993-1994 - A team from the National Monuments of Culture Institute removed and put in storage about half of the mosaics, leaving and conserving the rest in situ.
- 1995 - The basilica and the adjacent remains of ancient fortification wall were declared a national monument of culture.
- 2000 - Some of the mosaics were restored by the archeologist Mina Bospachieva and the restorationist Elena Kantareva-Decheva.
- 2010 - A thorough conservation and restoration project was initiated with the financial support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, and the Plovdiv Municipality.
- 2013 - The restored small basilica was inaugurated.
- 2014 - The small basilica opened to the public on 1 May.
Gallery
- Mosaic floor depicting deer
- Mosaic floor depicting birds
- Mosaic floor
- Glass floor over the mosaics
- Ancient well near the basilica
- Basilica interior