The Plovdiv Municipal Council voted on Thursday to formally 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, this transfer of management is intended to enable the Municipality to better continue the protection, maintenance, and activities related to preserving the site’s immovable cultural value.
The council stated that assuming control would also facilitate the implementation of scientific, cultural, educational, and tourism-related activities. The decision emphasized the Municipality’s established vision for the protection, preservation, exhibition, and promotion of the region’s cultural and historical heritage. The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis is recognized as a monument of significant historical, artistic, and scientific value.
Furthermore, it is listed on the UNESCO Tentative List for Cultural and Natural Heritage as part of the broader serial property titled “Bishop’s Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis, Roman Province of Thrace.”
The Municipal Council’s resolution signals a strategic move to consolidate local authority over the site’s stewardship. By taking over management, the local government aims to streamline efforts to safeguard this key cultural asset, ensuring its continued development for educational and tourism purposes while respecting its historical significance.
Topics: #municipal #council #basilica
The Plovdiv Municipal Council voted on Thursday to formally request taking over the management of the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis from the Culture Ministry. Currently, the basilica operates un
What are the potential implications of the Municipal Council taking over management from the Culture Ministry?