Small Basilica Of Philippopolis

About

The Small Basilica is part of the serial site The Bishop’s Basilica and the Late Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis, Roman Province of Thrace (on the Tentative List of the Republic of Bulgaria for UNESCO since 2018). It consists of The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis, the Small Basilica and the Late Antique Irene Building. They were built and functioned during the 4th–6th centuries and showcase the peculiar mosaic heritage of Philippopolis. The Small Basilica is a three-aisled basilica with an apse at the east end, a chapel added to the south end, and floors decorated with polychrome mosaics with a total area of approximately 200 sq.m. With its cross-shaped piscina and picturesque figural representations, the baptistery is the only monument of its kind in Bulgaria that has so far been conserved and displayed.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes