Small Basilica, Archaeological site and museum in central Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
The Small Basilica is an archaeological site and museum in central Plovdiv featuring geometric mosaics that cover extensive floor areas. The mosaics incorporate marble, glass, ceramics, and pebbles arranged in detailed patterns and designs.
The early Christian church dates to the 5th century and served its community until abandonment in the 6th century. It was discovered in 1988 during apartment construction.
The basilica contains a cross-shaped baptistery with marble pools and decorative mosaics depicting stags and doves. These images held spiritual meaning for early Christian worshippers who visited this place.
Visitors can view the mosaics in their original setting, preserved on-site where they were created. Allow time to explore the fine details of the patterns, especially as light hits the surfaces from different angles.
The preservation of the mosaics required an unusual approach in 1993 when workers removed half of the original pieces, cleaned them, and reinstalled them decades later in their exact positions. This labor-intensive process saved these artworks from permanent deterioration.
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