The City of Seven Hills
Splendid, enigmatic, antiquity- those are just a few of the worthy adjectives that the city of Plovdiv has earned. With such a rich history, it easily ranks among the oldest cities in Europe. In the global ranking of “Continuously inhabited oldest cities in the world” it occupies the fifth position and at the Old Continent – Plovdiv ranks on top. Although, the time of its establishment is obscure (there are certain settlement traces dating back to the Iron Age) it is certain that the city’s more ancient than Rome, Athens and Constantinople and there are quite a few carriers of Thracian cultural heritage - the most ancient inhabitants of the Balkan Peninsula according to written historical records. The Thracian name of the city was Eumolpias. Later on - in the 4th century BC - Philip II of Macedon renamed the city Philippoupolis after himself - still a very popular name of the city. It flourished during the rise of the Roman and Byzantine empires, and served as metropolis of the Roman province of Thrace. There’s another title of the city that dates from that time - Trimontium (City of three hills). The excavations uncover remains of multiple and once truly majestic buildings - stadium, amphitheater, forum, walls and many more. To a great extent the city remained intact during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and reached a boom during the National Revival. Today, remains of all those historical periods - Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance and contemporary culture are intertwined and give the eternal city a unique appeal. A large number of extremely valuable monuments are preserved here.
The best-known place here and a guardian of its greatest historical heritage remains undoubtedly the Ancient Theatre. Built in the end of the 1st and the beginning of the 2nd century AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trayan, it was among the main public buildings of Philippopolis and served as a scene for theatrical performances, gladiator fights and hunting games. Actively used till the 5th century AD, it accommodates up to 6 000 spectators. Many cultural events are still held on the scene of the ancient theatre.
The ancient seat of the city council – the Forum complex with the Odeon- is the largest one in Bulgaria today. Thousand years ago as well as nowadays it is used for music, theater and literary events. The Ancient stadium could seat up to 30 000 spectators of various athletic competitions, gladiator and animal fights. Its northern sector and the adjacent fortification walls can be seen in the city center, to the Dzhumayata Square.
Visitors and quests may enjoy an enchanting walk in time and visit the archaeological complex of Nebettepe, Hissar Kapiya, the Clock Tower at Sahattepe, the numerous houses with preserved authentic appearance, museums, temples and take away the unique atmosphere of the one and only in their hearts - the thousand-year-old City .
King Asen's Fortress is a strategic defensive point at the White Sea passage. During the Ottoman invasion it was ruined to the ground and only the church "St. Mary of Petrich”, as we know it nowadays, remained intact. It is restored and present it's an active temple again.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rhodope Mountains, Bachkovo monastery "Assumption of the Virgin" is among the most important Bulgarian spiritual and religious centers.
The Kuymdzhieva House is among the brightest examples of the material culture of the Bulgarian National Revival. Decorated with magnificent carvings and murals the House combines different architectural and artistic styles. Currently the Ethnographic Museum of Plovdiv is accommodated there.
Nicknamed "the yellow", because of its characteristic color, it is in fact the first Bulgarian high school in the city of Plovdiv.
House "Mavridi" is one of the largest and most beautiful houses in the Old town of Plovdiv. It was built on a steep plot of land and both the foundations and the basement are lop-sided.
Balabanova house impresses with its authentic architecture and the harmonious and coherent ensemble with the Renaissance houses nearby.
Among the most beautifully decorated homes in the Old Town is the one of the Renaissance merchant Stepan Hindliyan. The owner was a well-known and wealthy merchant, a representative of one of the four richest Armenian families in the city.
At the beginning of the Old Town of Plovdiv stands the house of the famous Bulgarian puboic figures and one of the most prominent fighters for an independent Bulgarian church during the Bulgarian Revival – Dr. Stoyan Chomakov. Nowadays there is a permanent exhibition of another eminent artist – Zlatyo Boyadzhiev.
One of the oldest and most impressive Ottoman religious buildings on the Balkan Peninsula is located in the center of Plovdiv
The Roman Theatre was one of the main public buildings of ancient Plovdiv or as it was called then -Philipopolis.
The remains of the first settlement on the territory of Plovdiv, dating back to the Neolithic Age, are situated on the Nebet Tepe.
Манастирът край пловдивското село Белащица, наречен на „Св. Георги Победоносец“, има дългогодишна история и много легенди.
