The Plovdiv Municipal Council voted on Thursday to request assuming management of the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis from the Culture Ministry. Currently, the basilica operates under a co-ownership arrangement, with the Plovdiv Municipality holding a 55.8% stake and the State owning the remaining 44.2%. According to the Municipal Council, transferring management will enable the municipal authority to continue protecting, maintaining, and executing activities dedicated to preserving the site’s immovable cultural value.
Furthermore, this transfer is intended to facilitate the implementation of scientific, cultural, educational, and tourist activities related to the monument. The Council stated that the Municipality possesses a defined strategy for the protection, preservation, exhibition, and promotion of the area’s cultural and historical heritage. The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis is recognized as a monument of significant historical, artistic, and scientific value.
Notably, it is listed on the UNESCO Tentative List for Cultural and Natural Heritage as part of the serial property titled “Bishop’s Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis, Roman Province of Thrace.”
This decision by the council reflects a desire by the local government to streamline stewardship over this key cultural asset. By taking over management, the Plovdiv Municipality aims to ensure comprehensive oversight, allowing for coordinated efforts across conservation, academic research, and tourism development concerning the historic basilica.
Topics: #municipal #council #basilica
