Symbols in the Mosaics of the Episcopal Basilica in Plovdiv /Символи в мозайките на Епископската базилика в Пловдив - англ. ез./

The Episcopal Basilica in Plovdiv, Bulgaria is one of the most significant monuments of early Christian art in the world. Its 2,000 square meters of floor mosaics, displayed in situ, are the largest church mosaics of early Christianity (from the 4th and 5th centuries) that have been uncovered, restored and exhibited.

From the very beginning of Christianity, pictorial symbols became part of the world of early Christians. Each image has its own hidden meaning. This symbolism continued in the following centuries in the decoration of churches and became part of the iconographic tradition.

The booklet aims to familiarise visitors to the Episcopal (Bishop’s) Basilica with the early Christian symbols in its mosaics. Some of the images of the symbols here are unique in their craftmanship and composition. The explanations are illustrated with 70 colour images from the author’s collection.

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Prof. Slavik Tabakov, PhD, Dr h.c., FIPEM, FHEA, FIOMP, FIUPESM is a specialist in medical imaging physics at King's College London, ICTP Trieste, and Plovdiv Medical University, Honorary President of the International Union of Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine.

In parallel with his academic work, for over 25 years Prof. Tabakov has devoted all his free time to studying early Christian art and in 2021 he published the book "Symbols in Christian Mosaics - A Visual Guidebook”