On the territory to the East and Northeast of the Forum (Agora) of Philippopolis neighborhoods formed in the years of Early Christianity. Several Christian churches emerged here. In the same area were also the ruins of a synagogue - a unique building from that period.

The ruins of the Small Early Christian basilica appeared during construction works of "Maria Louisa" Blvd. The Small basilica is in the eastern outskirts of the ancient city, next to the fortification wall with a tower from 2nd - 4th century AD. The basilica has a central nave, flanked by two aisles.

It has one apse and a narthex. A small chapel appeared to the South and a baptistery next to the Northern aisle. The length of the basilica, including the apse, is 20 meters, and the width is 13 meters.

The basilica is from the second half of 5th century AD with rich architectural decorations – marble colonnades separating the aisles, marble altar wall, pulpit and synthronos. Rich multicolored mosaic with geometrical motifs covered the floors. The mosaic includes a panel with donor inscription. Remnants of an altar table were also found.

Reconstruction and renovation

After the building burnt down, reconstruction and renovation took place. The outer dimensions of the building were not changed, but the floor level raised with about 0.70 m. The new flooring consisted of bricks. The layout of the narthex, the altar wall and the pulpit changed and a baptistery appeared next to the Northern aisle.

The baptistery had a square plan, cross pool and polychrome mosaic flooring, depicting Christian symbols. The basilica functioned until the end of 6th century AD.

Two donor inscriptions emerged during excavation works. One of them was carved on the lining marble slab from the altar of the basilica. The other was shaped in a mosaic of red tesserae on white background, opposite to the altar apse. It mentions "patrician" and "winner", but the name was erased. It was the name of Basilisk, a Byzantine Emperor in 475-476 AD, and erasing it from the mosaic shows that it was made after his dethronement.