EXCAVATION AND RESTORATION OF GREAT BASILICA IN PLOVDIV TO BE COMPLETED BY 2019

The excavation and restoration of the Great Roman Basilica in the South Bulgarian city of Plovdiv is supposed to be completed by 2019. Such is the deadline set by the researchers working on the project. So far, the archaeologists have unearthed more than 800 sq. m. of floor mosaics. The work is on-going.

After the end of the excavation work, a shelter construction will be built to protect the mosaics.

Elena Kantareva, lead archaeologist explains that at some point the Great Basilica in Plovdiv was one of the largest public buildings in Bulgaria and on the Balkans in the Late Antiquityis. Another unique thing is that there are two layers of mosaic floors, created at two construction stages, from two different periods.

The Mayor of Plovdiv Ivan Totev says that the city has a huge heritage of mosaics and there is work for the research teams for years. More than 2,000 sq. m. of floor mosaic are expected to be restored.

There is a plan to construct a protective shelter over the mosaics. The overall design of the shelter will be subject to public discussion.