The Bishop's Basilica (Great Basilica) of Philippopolis in Plovdiv

Church & monasteryCentral Bulgaria & the Balkan Range

Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis, Plovdiv's Great Early Christian Church

The Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis, also called the Great Basilica, is a ruined early Christian church in the centre of Plovdiv, built in the mid-4th century. It is the largest late antique church found in Bulgaria, and its mosaic floors, covering about 2,000 square metres, are now displayed in a modern museum. A short walk from the old town makes it an easy and rewarding detour.

Seven of the twenty bird species in its floor mosaics are African, so exotic that a study concluded live birds must have been brought to ancient Plovdiv to be drawn.

WhereCentral Plovdiv, next to the Catholic Cathedral of St Louis and Maria Luiza Boulevard

TypeEarly Christian basilica and mosaic museum (4th–6th century)

Best forArchaeology and art lovers, mosaic fans and families interested in ancient history

Getting thereIn the middle of Plovdiv, a short walk from the central square and the Roman Stadium

The history of the Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis

The basilica stood in the heart of ancient Philippopolis, the Roman and late antique city that lies beneath modern Plovdiv. Its site had already carried a building that probably dated from the first century CE. In the middle of the fourth century a vast church rose here, most likely over an earlier structure of similar plan that had occupied the space of two city blocks.

A coin of Emperor Licinius (308–324) found during the excavations has inspired the idea that the basilica was among the first churches raised in the Roman Empire after Christianity was legalised in 313. Its size, its rich decoration and its central position near the ancient forum all point to a large and influential Christian community in the city. The building measured roughly 86 metres in length and 38.5 metres in width, extraordinary dimensions for its time. It had a central nave flanked by aisles separated by colonnades, an apse at the east end, a narthex and a colonnaded atrium to the west. A platform for the bishop and clergy, decorated with marble, rose in the central nave, and the capitals of the columns carried Christian symbols.

The greatest treasure is the floor. The mosaics were laid in three stages, form two layers and cover about 2,000 square metres. They show geometric patterns, knot motifs, vases pouring the water of eternal life and a remarkable range of birds, which early Christians used as symbols of pious souls. The mosaics of the central nave and those of the aisles differ in composition and motifs, which suggests that different craftsmen made them.

For roughly the fourth to the sixth century the church stood at the centre of the city's Christian life. It was then demolished and abandoned, probably after an earthquake. Between the tenth and twelfth centuries a large Christian necropolis spread over the spot, with a cemetery church decorated with fine murals.

The remains came to light in the mid-1980s during the construction of an underpass. Archaeologists examined part of the building in 1982–1986, and the mosaics that had been uncovered were moved to the Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv, since funding was scarce. A new conservation project was presented in 2014 to turn the ruins into a modern museum complex. Digging resumed in 2016, helped over 2016–2017 by more than 450 volunteers, and the site was fully excavated. The investment, covered by Plovdiv Municipality and the America for Bulgaria Foundation, exceeded 15 million leva. The basilica now stands under a protective structure that was opened as a museum in 2021.

Curious facts about the Bishop's Basilica

It is the largest late antique early Christian church discovered in Bulgaria and one of the largest of its period in the Balkans.
Seven of the twenty bird species identified in the mosaics are exotic, among them the Egyptian goose, the helmeted guineafowl and the Alexandrine parakeet; today most live in Africa.
According to a 2018 study by Prof. Zlatozar Boev, the exotic birds were drawn from life, so live birds must have reached ancient Philippopolis, evidence of Roman links far to the south.
More than 450 volunteers, from schoolchildren to lawyers, musicians and engineers, helped with the excavations in 2016–2017.
The ruins were found by chance in the mid-1980s while an underpass was being built.
In 2018 the basilica was placed on Bulgaria's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Tours near Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv

★ 5 (35 reviews) · 3 h

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Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup

★ 5 (27 reviews) · 9 h

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E-Motorcycle Tour in Rhodope Mountains to a Beautiful Canyon View

★ 5 (26 reviews) · 3 h

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Plovdiv Full-Day Small-Group Tour from Sofia with Pickup

★ 5 (10 reviews) · 7 h

See details ›

Visiting the Bishop's Basilica in Plovdiv

The basilica lies in the centre of Plovdiv, beside the Catholic Cathedral of St Louis and Maria Luiza Boulevard, so it is easy to combine with the rest of the city.
Under the protective structure the mosaics are shown on two levels: part of the lower layer in its original place, and the upper layer above.
The museum project combines traditional displays with augmented and virtual reality, interactive games and a mosaic workshop.
Other sights close by include the Roman Stadium, the Dzhumaya Mosque and Nebet Tepe, all about 1 km away.
Check the current opening hours and visiting conditions before you go.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis is

Photos of Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis

The Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis, view of the remains

The Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis, second view of the remains

Plan or illustration of the Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis

The Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis, fourth view

The Bishop's Basilica in the town of Plovdiv

Questions

What is the Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis?

It is the ruin of a huge early Christian church in the centre of Plovdiv, built in the mid-4th century and also called the Great Basilica. It is probably the cathedral of the ancient city.

How old are the mosaics of the Bishop's Basilica?

The basilica dates from the mid-4th century, and the mosaics were laid in three stages in two layers. They cover about 2,000 square metres.

Why are the bird mosaics special?

Seven of the twenty recognised bird species are exotic, mainly from Africa. A 2018 study argues that they were drawn from living birds brought to ancient Philippopolis.

How big was the Bishop's Basilica?

It was about 86 metres long and 38.5 metres wide, very large for its period. It had a central nave, aisles, an apse, a narthex and an atrium.

Where is the Bishop's Basilica in Plovdiv?

It stands in the central part of the city, next to the Catholic Cathedral of St Louis and Maria Luiza Boulevard.

What else is there to see near the basilica?

The Roman Stadium, the Dzhumaya Mosque and the Nebet Tepe hill are all about 1 km away, in the same part of Plovdiv.