site.btaPlovdiv Municipal Council to Request Taking Over Management of Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis from Culture Ministry

The Plovdiv Municipal Council Thursday decided to request taking over the management of the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis from the Culture Ministry. The basilica is subject to a co-ownership regime, whereby Plovdiv Municipality owns 55.8% and the State owns the remaining 44.2%.

The reasons of the Municipal Council state that this will allow the Municipality to continue to protect, maintain and carry out activities related to the preservation of immovable cultural value, as well as the implementation of scientific, cultural, educational and tourist activities. The Municipality has a clear vision regarding the protection, preservation, exhibition and promotion of cultural and historical heritage, the decision of the Municipal Council said.

The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis is a monument of high historical, artistic and scientific value. It is included in the UNESCO Tentative List for Cultural and Natural Heritage as part of the serial property "Bishop’s Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis, Roman Province of Thrace".