Project Database
September 2010 – April 2014
Cultural Heritage and Nature Tourism
Conservation, Restoration and Exhibition of the ‘Early Christian Basilica in Philipopolis’
Ministry of Culture/ Plovdiv Administrative Region
BGN 1,230,000
The grant builds on scientific archeological findings but its primary goal is to turn a hidden treasure of art and history into a first-class tourist attraction and contribute to the growth of the Heritage Tourism in Bulgaria. It provides funding necessary for the restoration, conservation and display of the Plovdiv ‘Early Christian Basilica’ built around 430 – 450 A.D. The basilica has a historic significance as it traces the spread of Christianity throughout the Eastern Roman Empire, but above all it is a splendid monument of the sophisticated Roman mosaic art (about 110 sq.m. of mosaics are preserved). Of special interest are the floor mosaics around the typical for the early Christianity cross-shaped marble baptismal pool, where a reindeer drinking water and two doves near a water fountain are featured as powerful metaphors of Christianity as a true source of knowledge and inspiration.
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