The central mosaic features a fountain of life, a common motif in early Christian iconography.
The baptistery contains a baptismal font shaped like a cross, which is one of the best-preserved examples in the region.
A marble baptistery enclosure wall was discovered during the restoration, providing insight into 6th-century liturgical practices.
The site was abandoned after a fire and subsequent collapse in the 7th century.
The protective building housing the ruins earned an architectural award for its integration of contemporary materials with ancient stone.
The Small Basilica of Plovdiv is a protected late-antique archaeological site dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries. It is primarily known for its remarkably preserved multi-colored geometric and zoomorphic floor mosaics, which include depictions of a deer, a bird, and a vessel. The site was discovered in 1988 during residential construction and underwent extensive restoration with funding from the America for Bulgaria Foundation. It operates as an indoor, climate-controlled museum designed to protect the fragile mosaic layers. The basilica features a traditional three-aisled plan with an apse and an atrium. Excavations revealed a marble altar screen and a baptistery with a cruciform baptismal font. The site provides a unique look at Early Christian ecclesiastical architecture in the Roman province of Thrace. It is currently open to the public and functions as a managed cultural heritage site.
The elevated viewing platform at the far end of the nave offers the best angle of the entire mosaic floor.
Use the elevated walkway to get a full overhead perspective of the floor mosaics.
Read the bilingual information plaques which detail the history of the site's discovery and reconstruction.
Combine this visit with the Great Basilica located just a short walk away to see the contrast in size and scale.
Do not attempt to touch or walk on the floor mosaics; stay strictly on the designated elevated metal walkways.
Closed on Mondays.
