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The luminescence properties of 0.5%Pr-doped BGO crystals grown by using the micro-pulling down technique were carefully investigated. Room temperature absorption spectra were registered and analyzed within the framework of the Judd-Ofelt formalism and the best fit to the data is obtained by using a modified treatment allowing for the admixture of intensity enabling wave-functions. The results indicate 3P 0 and 1D 2 radiative lifetimes of about 5.7 μs and 79 μs, in perfect agreement with the time-constants derived from the measured fluorescence decays at room and liquid-nitrogen temperatures. Registration of time-resolved emission and excitation spectra and calibration of the 3P 0 emission spectrum in cross section unit clearly indicate that Pr-doped BGO could be the first isotropic crystalline material leading to efficient diode-pumped laser operation at room temperature with laser performances, at least in the deep-red spectral region, comparable to that found with the most important anisotropic Pr-doped fluoride and oxide crystals. • Pr:Bi 4 Ge 3 O 12 crystal fibers are successfully grown by micro-pulling down. • Absorption spectra are analyzed by using the Judd-Ofelt formalism. • Emission, excitation spectra are registered from the near-UV to the deep-Red. • It is found a 3P0 emission lifetime of 5.7 μs for a quantum yield close to 1. • Record emission cross-sections are obtained in the red and deep-red. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]