Bishop’s Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis are included in the UNESCO tentative list for world heritage sites

България представя: Епископската базилика и римското мозаечно наследство на Филипопол from America For Bulgaria Foundation on Vimeo.

The nomination of the Bishop’s Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis in the city of Plovdiv, was included in the UNESCO tentative list for world cultural and natural sites at the beginning of 2018. They are the 16th landmark that was approved for the tentative list.

“The Bishop’s Basilica in Plovdiv, with the preserved antique mosaics inside it, is a unique monument which Bulgaria is so proud of”, said Boil Banov, the Bulgarian minister of Culture. According to him, the Basilica is amongst the most impressive remains from the Roman times found in Bulgaria.

The site contains three different monuments: Bishop’s Basilica, Small Basilica and Late-Antique Irene Building, which were built and functioned during the 4th-6th centuries. Philippopolis is strategically situated at the crossroad of Europe and Minor Asia, in the middle of the Thracian valley, around seven unique hills. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, much older even than ancient Troy.

Late-Antique Irene Building

The floor mosaics from the ancient Philippopolis, which have already been excavated and investigated, come from two basic periods: 2nd-3rd centuries and 4th-6th centuries. The mosaics from the first period were part of therms and representative buildings and have western influenced elements.

Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis

The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis was discovered during rescue archaeological excavations in the early 80s of the 20th Century. It is a three-nave basilica, with an apse to the east and a peculiarly shaped narthex and atrium to the west. Outstandingly large, it has lavish architectural interior and mosaic floors. It is about 83 m long and 36 m wide, which makes it the largest 4th-6th-century basilica in Bulgaria and one of the largest in the whole Balkans.

Small Basilica of Philippopolis

The Small Basilica was discovered during rescue archaeological excavations, carried out in the centre of Plovdiv from 1988 to 1989. It is located on the eastern suburbs of the fortified city of Philippopolis, close to the fortification wall and to the east close to the Bishop`s Basilica.