Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis
Епископска базилика
The largest early Christian church ruins in Bulgaria, with roughly 2,000 square meters of bird-motif floor mosaics, now open to visitors after restoration.
The Episcopal Basilica was built in the early 4th century under Constantine the Great and measures about 83 meters in length, making it the largest ancient church in Bulgaria. The ruins are enclosed by a modern building, and visitors can look down on the two layers of mosaic floors from a glass walkway. The upper layer is covered with more than a hundred bird designs in vivid colors. Open to the public since 2021, the site includes multimedia displays. It stands beside the Church of the Holy Mother of God, on the east side of the main street. A visit takes about an hour, and tickets cost a few euros.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Trakart Cultural Centre
- Roman Forum & Odeon of Philippopolis
- Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
- Plovdiv Main Street (Knyaz Alexander I)
- Church of Sts. Constantine and Helena
- Sahat Tepe (Clock Tower Hill)
- Old Town of Plovdiv
- Dzhumaya Mosque