Ancient Forum of Philippopolis to Come Alive With 3D Mapping Installation

Jerusalem, 2 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Plovdiv (BTA) – A 3D mapping show installation is included in the project for the conservation, restoration and exhibition of the eastern and southern parts of the Ancient Forum of Philippopolis. This was announced by architect Veneta Petkova, the lead designer of the site, during a press conference today. She explained that the installation will project an image of the forum directly onto the post office building in the city.

“In addition, we have a very strong information service. At all entrances we will build bilingual signs with reconstructions of the forum in all its construction periods. Separately, the elements that we will not use in the anastylosis will be exhibited in a lapidary exhibition in the green areas along the shops and the street itself. There will be explanatory signs for each element or group of elements, from which period it is, what they include, when they were used and what they were put with, where exactly they were,” said arch. Petkova.

The archaeological zone in which the site is located covers the space between the Central Post Office, the Trimontium Hotel and Tsar Boris III Blvd. The estimated cost of the project according to the public procurement is 8,521,531.35 euros excluding VAT.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivo Topalilov, associate professor at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, drew attention to some things related to the archaeology and historical significance of the square itself. According to him, this project will try to show the earliest historical period, which is the least studied, but is also one of the most interesting, so that visitors to the city can gain a comprehensive idea of ​​​​what the square looked like and how it changed during the different periods of its existence.

“This is the largest part of the forum that we see. It covers an area of ​​8,000 square meters. And our project aims not only to offer restoration and conservation of an archaeological site, but to make it a part of the center of Plovdiv. A natural extension of the city garden,” said architect Veneta Petkova. She explained that a pedestrian breakthrough is being made on the southern side so that people can walk right through the forum.

The Deputy Mayor for Culture, Archaeology and Tourism of Plovdiv, Plamen Panov, explained that the point of the project is that conceptually the southern and eastern parts of the forum should coincide with what has already been done in the western and northern parts, so as not to create any dissonance.

“We hope that the southern and eastern parts of the forum will become a center of attraction for people. The square should be a place where people gather, not just pass by. We very much hope that Forum South and East will contribute to people standing there, stopping, talking, communicating,” Panov commented.

According to Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, the project ensures that there is a synchronization between the modern and the history of the city of Plovdiv. “With the lighting, with the mapping, and with the pedestrian zone. The post office is a place that somehow remains on the sidelines, since we also have private property there. A year ago, we shared an initiative for a meeting with the owner, we have had several such conversations, but the future of the Central Square – Plovdiv is yet to be clarified,” said Dimitrov.