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.

Not to be confused with Great Basilica, Plovdiv.

Small Basilica of Philippopolis
small basilica
Small basilica Exterior
Map of Plovdiv city center
Map of Plovdiv city center
Small Basilica
Shown within Plovdiv City Center
LocationPlovdiv, Bulgaria
Coordinates42.146448°N 24.757944°E / 42.146448; 24.757944
TypeBasilica
Length20 m
Width13 m
History
Materialbricks, marble
FoundedThe second half of the 5th century AD
AbandonedThe end of 6th century AD
PeriodsRoman Empire
Site notes
Excavation dates1988, 2010
ArchaeologistsMina Bospachieva
ConditionRestored
OwnershipPlovdiv Municipality
Public accessYes
Part of a series on the ancient city of
Philippopolis
Buildings and structures
Public
Religious
Fortification
Residential
Related topics

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
    Mosaic floor
  • The baptistery
    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.
  • small basilica
    Mosaic floor depicting deer
  • small basilica
    Mosaic floor depicting birds
  • small basilica
    Mosaic floor
  • small basilica
    Glass floor over the mosaics
  • small basilica
    Ancient well near the basilica
  • small basilica
  • small basilica
    Basilica interior
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