Plovdiv, Bulgaria: Europe's Oldest Inhabited City | The Huffington Post Plovdiv, Bulgaria: Europe's Oldest Inhabited City 07/14/2013 12:59 am ET | Updated Sep 12, 2013 280 Jennifer Walker Anglo-Hungarian Ex-Physicist, Writer and Compulsive Traveler As the bus drove through Plovdiv's suburbs, after a two-hour journey from the capital Sofia, I felt like I was visiting an old friend. I have had an inner obsession with Plovdiv for years. My fixation with the myth of Orpheus led me to the lands of ancient Thrace, right to this historic city situated between the Rhodope Mountains (the legendary homeland of Orpheus), the Thracian Plains and the Balkan Mountain Range. Plovdiv Roman Theater, photo credit: Jennifer Walker The sun already burned in May, amplifying the car fumes in the Hristo Botev Boulevard as we made our way from the bus station, and even finding our hostel became an adventure. The street signs sprawled in Cyrillic script fortified the impression of being on the "other side of Europe".

The road curved past the tall chestnut trees shading the street, under the flaking houses that paved the way to our guest house. On first impression, Plovdiv was slightly dilapidated with a sense of fading grandeur, a quality I love in old cities. I adored Plovdiv instantly, but the best thing was that I knew there was more to discover in the hot and dusty streets of Bulgaria's second city. Hills peeked up above flaking façades adorned with elaborate plasterwork. The city had seven hills once, like Rome, but they were used as quarries over the centuries, leaving the city with only five, maybe six hills that can be classed as such, where the three hills of the old town are the most prominent. Plovdiv's history dates as far back as 4000BC, when it began life a Neolithic settlement. It is one of the World's most ancient cities and Europe's oldest inhabited city -- even beating Athens. The settlement was originally Thracian, but it became a major Greek and then a Roman city known as Philippopolis, named after the King of Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great's father, who conquered the city in 342BC.

Plovdiv became a city in tune with the ever-changing evolution of history. Plovdiv Old Town, photo credit: Jennifer Walker Echoes of Plovdiv's past still wink behind fenced off excavation areas in the center, hinting at Roman columns and overgrown Thracian ruins on the hillside. The narrow streets of the city's Revival era old town coiled up the hill, taking us up, across the large stone clad pavements radiating the heat as we sweated up the hill searching for the city's history. Our base instincts took us down the most shaded roads, leading us into Plovdiv's Roman Theater. The Theater overlooks the city, with views all the way over to the Rhodope Mountains that span the southern fringe of Bulgaria and all the way into Greece. There were no crowds here, just a couple of people scattered about the marble stones and the towering colonnade of the reconstructed stage. Encased with a fence of metal bars, a rope cord stretched across a gap, marking the entrance to the Theater. The ticket collector sat under the shaded veranda enlaced with flowers and vines only meters away.

I handed over 5 Lev (2.50€) to the ticket collector as a cat brushed my leg. I caught sight of another tabby ducking under a bush by the ring of worn down marble seats. "Too many cats," he said to me, "I look after all of them. I have five at home and about twelve here. But, someone has to take care of them." He pointed to a sack of dry cat food, but I didn't catch sight of any of Plovdiv's "Roman Cats" for the rest of the afternoon. I could only make out a hum of distant traffic as I walked through Plovdiv Old Town's deserted streets. I found it surreal, and refreshing, to stroll through a city as beautiful and as historically significant as Plovdiv, without encountering endless shops selling tat for tourists or restaurants where determined waiters try to drag you in. I caught the scent of lilacs and the subtle background noise of crockery behind opened wooden shutters.

Plovdiv Ethnographic Museum, photo credit: Jennifer Walker Most of Plovdiv's touristic life takes place on Saborna Street, but even here the gift shops retain a sense of authenticity, like the artisanal gallery, whose painted antique carts and ploughs filled its courtyard. Further down, just before we reached the gold and black sinuous waves of Plovdiv's Ethnographic Museum, a live chicken clucked at us from the top of a postcard stand, just outside a souvenir shop in the square. Photo credit: Jennifer Walker Ancient Plovdiv is subtle, especially when the elaborately painted houses decked with wooden beams from the Bulgarian Revival hog the limelight, albeit deservedly. Roman ruins are always in the undergrowth; some are excavated and beautifully presented, like the Theater or the Stadium in Plovdiv's busy downtown. Plovdiv's Thracian heritage shies away up on Nebet Hill, where its overgrown ruined walls overlook the Old Town and the Mosque. I didn't expect to find the Orpheus connection in this Thracian city, I had plans to pursue that obsession in the Rhodope Mountains the next day.

Yet, as I descended the steps from the Old Town, I caught sight of a mural towering above the creeping ivy, shrubbery and graffiti covered wall. With a lyre in hand, etched into the side of an old house - I found Orpheus. Follow Jennifer Walker on Twitter: More: Plovdiv City Plovdiv City Share: Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and an administrative center of Plovdiv County. It is situated in the Upper Thracian Plain (Gornotrakiyska Nizina), on the both banks of the Maritsa river. The population of the city is about 350,000 people. The climate is transitional–continental with mild winters and hot summers. The average temperature in January is +1°С, the average temperature in July is +24°С. The town in its present appearance was built around seven hills – the hills of Plovdiv (Plovdiv Tepes) which are an inseparable part of the city’s history. Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe – the beginning of its history dates back to 4,000 years BC.

In the beginning the ancient settlement was situated on the natural elevation between Nebet, Taksim and Dzhambaz hills (the Three Hills). In ancient times Thracians inhabited the Three Hills and built a fortified settlement – the largest city in Thrace. In the 4th century BC Plovdiv was conquered by Phillip of Macedonia. He gave the city one of its many names – Phillipopolis, and had it surrounded by thick fortified walls. Later the Thracians regained their power over the city, but after a series of battles in the 1st century AD it became a part the Roman Empire. During the period of the Roman Empire, Plovdiv (at those times – Trimontium) was an important regional center. The city flourished with a large-scale construction of buildings, facilities and roads. Numerous well-preserved artifacts had remained from those times, such as cobble stoned streets, fortress walls, buildings, water supply and sewerage systems. The city was returned within the boundaries of the Bulgarian state during the ruling of Khan Malamir (reigned 831 – 836 AD). Over the centuries, the power over the city was passed between the Bulgarians and the Byzantines.

The city even briefly became a possession of the knights of the Fourth Crusade. It finally became part of the Bulgarian state in 1344 AD. The Ottoman troops who invaded in 1364 and gradually conquered Bulgaria, gave new direction of development for the city. The Byzantine architecture was replaced by new buildings with typical oriental features. The new name of the city was Filibe. During the Bulgarian Revival (18th- 19th century) Plovdiv was an important economic center. The city was home to many wealthy and educated people who traveled across Europe and brought new cultural currents. The rich traders from Plovdiv showed their wealth through the construction of beautiful and richly ornamented houses. Unlike the brick houses from the beginning of the Bulgarian Revival, which were small and practical, later the art of building developed with more imagination and scope, focusing on splendor and detail. Besides being an architectural center, the city is an important cultural center and has a major contribution to the spiritual awakening of Bulgaria. Plovdiv was of great importance in the struggle for church independence. On 16 January 1878 the city was liberated after the end of the war between Russia and Turkey.

The long-awaited San Stefano peace treaty of 3 March 1878 laid the foundations of the free Bulgarian state. However, a few months later the Berlin peace treaty clouded the joy of the liberation and tore the state into several smaller pieces, and large border areas were given to neighboring countries. Bulgaria became a small, weak principality. Plovdiv remained within the autonomous region under Ottoman rule – Eastern Rumelia, and was elected to be its capital. This dramatic period of separation lasted for seven years. During that time, the massive construction went on. Many new modern administrative buildings were constructed for the needs of the new capital. Meanwhile a specially elected committee prepared an upcoming uprising, planned to bring together the separated regions of the country. On 6 September 1885 the city was conquered and Eastern Rumelia was again united with the Principality of Bulgaria. This memorable date set the beginning of the new history of the country and is celebrated every year as a solemn day of Plovdiv and an official holiday. After the Union, Plovdiv remained the second largest and economically important city after Sofia to the present day. The city is a large industrial and commercial center.

The famous Plovdiv International Fair, which annually hosts the presentation of goods and exchange of contacts and experience between sellers from all around the world, is conducted here. The town hosts theater, dancing and movie festivals, and the numerous archaeological finds of Thracian, Roman and Byzantine times not only recall the glorious past, but are successfully combined with the modern architecture of the city. An example of this is the Roman aqueduct, which has become an indispensable part of Komatevsko Shose road; the Amphitheatre was successfully restored and is presently used for performances. The city has several museums – historical, archaeological, ethnographic, and natural science museum, as well as an Art Gallery and a Drama Theatre. One of the most famous landmarks is the architectural complex of the Ancient Plovdiv, where many beautiful houses from the times of the Bulgarian Revival had been preserved and restored. Many of them are inhabited to the present day. Besides cultural attractions, the city offers very good sports and recreation conditions. On one of the city ends lies a rowing base of Olympic size, which offers great conditions for rowing, running and cycling. In the past there were seven hills in Plovdiv. Nowadays, only six of them are preserved.

Markovo hill was turned into pavement for the cobble stoned streets. Those, who decide to count the hills of Plovdiv, should remember that the elevation of the Ancient Plovdiv consists of three hills. Dzhendem hill, also known as the Hill of Youth is the highest one – it was declared a protected area for its endemic plants and preserved nature. Various animal species can be found there, such as squirrels, jays, hares. A monument in honor of the Soviet Army was built on the Bunardzhik (Alyosha) hill. Sahat hill – the hill with the clock tower, has become a park, a favored place for couples and youth companies with guitars. A clock tower, dating back to the 16th century, stands on top of it. The other three hills form the Ancient Plovdiv town. All of the Plovdiv hills are well-maintained parks with paths and benches. The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and a cultural and economic center of southern Bulgaria. There are many accommodation options here – from luxurious hotels to hostels. The main street of the city offers excellent opportunities for entertainment and shopping; the restaurants options are numerous.

We invest in your future Project “Multimedia Catalogue of the Tourist Sites and Electronic Marketing of Destination Bulgaria” The project is implemented with the financial support of Operative Program “Regional Development 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The project is financed as per Grant Scheme BG 161PO001/3.3-01/2008. Support for effective national marketing of the tourist product and improvement of the information service. The contents of this page is created within the framework of the project entitled “Multimedia Catalogue of Tourist Sites and Electronic Marketing of Destination Bulgaria”, Contract No BG161PO001/3.3-01/2008 /001-5, which is performed with the financial support of Operative Program “Regional Development” 2007 – 2013, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

The entire responsibility for the contents of the page is brought by the beneficiary – The Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and under no circumstances it can be considered that this page presents the official position of the European Union and the Managing Body. Plovdiv Airport Contacts Plovdiv Airport - The South Gate of Bulgaria Plovdiv Airport is a regional airport that serves South-Central Bulgaria and a population of over 2 million people in a driving distance of 1.5 hours by road. The airport is located 12 km southeast from the city of Plovdiv - the second largest city and cultural capital of the country. Situated in the very heart of the Balkan Peninsula, the city is an appropriate starting point for travelling around the region. Plovdiv was recently named the oldest city in Europe, with a history dating back more than 6000 years. The city and its surroundings abound of cultural, archaeological, historical and natural attractions. All year around the city is the host of musical, art and cultural festivals, concerts and forums. The Rhodopes provide conditions for mountain, ecological, hunting and fishing tourism.

The temperate climate and the presence of many vineyards and wineries in the region, attract visitors from the country and from abroad for wine tourism. Nearby towns of Velingrad, Hisar, Banya and Narechen are well known destinations for SPA tourism, and the numerous churches and monasteries in the Rhodope Mountains and the foothills of the Balkan Mountains - for religious tourism. During winter Plovdiv Airport welcomes foreign ski tourists who chose to spend their holiday in Pamporovo, Borovets and Bansko. The main factor for the development of business tourism is the Plovdiv Fair, as well as the growing number of newly built accommodation facilities. The tourist infrastructure in the region is well developed and meets all modern requirements and standards.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria - culture crossroads and picturesque nature Traditions & NameDays Plovdiv - culture crossroads and picturesque nature Bulgaria, situated in the south-eastern part of Europe, and in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, had been a land of many ancient civilizations and great peoples, all anxious to leave marks of their turbulent history: bronze and iron spears and arrows, stone buildings remains, messages to future generations carved on rocks and stone columns or written on parchment or leather. For centuries, the roads passing through the territory of our country have been connecting Europe to Asia and Africa. Four common European transport corridors, connecting Western and Northern Europe with the Eastern and Southern part of the continent, cross their roads right here. Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, situated on the Maritsa River. Its unique location on these ancient crossroads has stimulated strong cultural and political influences from East and West civilizations, and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, an almost contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture developed upon layers of cultures.

Plovdiv is a picturesque town, with many parks and gardens, museums and archaeological monuments. Its old part, called the Old Town, with houses from the National Revival period (18-19th century), is an imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. One of the most remarkable sights of the town, the Ancient Theater (a well-preserved Roman theater), is located there and is still used for open-air performances. Current News Plovdiv | Bulgaria | Britannica.com Bulgaria Alternative Titles: Philibé, Philippopolis, Pulpudeva, Trimontium Related Topics Stara Zagora Plovdiv, second largest city of Bulgaria , situated in the south-central part of the country. It lies along the Maritsa River and is situated amid six hills that rise from the Thracian Plain to a height of 400 feet (120 metres). Called Pulpudeva in Thracian times, it was renamed Philippopolis in 341 bc after its conquest by Philip II of Macedonia. From ad 46 it was called Trimontium and was the capital of the Roman province of Thrace .

Plovdiv repeatedly changed hands during the Middle Ages until 1364, when it was taken by the Turks, who called it Philibé. After the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78), it became capital of Turkish Eastern Rumelia, which united with Bulgaria in 1885. It officially assumed its present name after World War I. Plovdiv, Bulg., with Roman ruins in the foreground. Blagov In the old Trimontium quarter of the city, parts of the Roman walls remain. The medieval ruins of Tsar Ivan Asen II’s fortress and Bachkovo monastery are nearby. Cultural institutions include a museum housing a collection of Thracian gold vessels. The city, a junction on the Belgrade–Sofia–Istanbul rail line, is a food-processing centre with diversified industries, including the manufacture of nonferrous metals, machinery parts, textiles, carpets, and fertilizers. The city is the chief market of a fertile region that produces tobacco, rice, vegetables, and fruit. An international trade fair is held biennially. Plovdiv has long been praised for the tolerance of its diverse ethnic and religious population.

In 1999 the city was host to regional peacekeeping forces established by the joint initiative of Balkan countries. Pop. (2004 est.) 341,464. Learn More in these related articles: in Bulgaria Bulgaria Plots Its Return to Olympic Prominence - The New York Times The New York Times Sports |Bulgaria Plots Return to Olympic Prominence Search Continue reading the main story Photo The world championships brought some 1,200 rowers from 57 countries to Plovdiv and put the city at the center of international rowing attention. Credit Matthew Lewis/Getty Images PLOVDIV, Bulgaria — Svetla Otzetova, a grande dame of Bulgarian rowing, wore a perfectly pressed blouse, and her brow somehow managed to stay dry despite the stifling heat. But Otzetova was sweating it. A coach of the Swiss rowing team, an exacting sort, had flagged her down. What might be wrong? Otzetova asked. But the coach, Christian Stofer, wanted only to offer compliments. “Everything is tiptop,” he said.

It was that kind of week for Otzetova, who was here overseeing this year’s biggest and most prestigious rowing event short of the Olympics — the junior and senior world rowing championships — while at the same time eagerly selling Bulgaria to the international rowing community. She carried two flip phones, a smartphone and two radio receivers, dispatching instructions in multiple languages while spending time with coaches, rowing officials and other V.I.P.’s. “Athletes like to be here,” she said. “The number of participants has surprised some people.” With some 1,200 rowers from 57 countries, the world championships, which ended Sunday, put Plovdiv at the center of international rowing attention, exactly where Otzetova and many other Bulgarians wanted it. Advertisement Continue reading the main story After suffering more than two decades of sporting disappointments since the glory days under communism, the Bulgarians are plotting a comeback. And one piece of the plan is transforming Plovdiv, the country’s second-largest city, into a first-class destination by expanding its Soviet-era rowing course.

“For a long time in Bulgaria everything that was associated with the old days was considered not good,” said Krasimir Panov, an adviser to the Bulgarian sports minister, Svilen Neykov. The minister is a former Olympic rowing coach who married one of the country’s most decorated rowers, Rumyana Neykova. “After 20 years, people’s minds have changed,” Panov said. “People want better facilities, and they think we should be winning like before.” To that end, the Bulgarian government has spruced up a handful of faded sports facilities across the country, including Plovdiv’s rowing site, and constructed a 12,000-seat arena in Sofia, the capital about 90 miles northwest of here. It has also revived a practice once renowned across the former Soviet bloc — the intense development of child athletes with the sole goal of grooming them for Olympic medals and other world championships. About 100 athletes in their late teens or early 20s are being prepped for the Olympics in 2016, Panov said, though most of the effort is focused on the longer term.

“Bulgaria once ranked seventh in the world in Olympic medals, but this year in London we only got two, a silver and a bronze,” he said. “To achieve sporting success is a long process. So we are doing sports schools again with the children to become champions in 10 years.” Plovdiv proudly claims a tradition of producing sports standouts, but the gritty city’s makeover is still a work in progress. An established regional rowing center, Plovdiv has yet to win over the international rowing community as a favored destination on par with sites like Lucerne, Switzerland, or the Olympic site at Eton Dorney near London. Advertisement The course here, built in the 1980s during the waning years of communism, sits aside a crumbling soccer stadium in a city that remains more than rough around the edges. Still, the course has many fans. Photo Svetla Otzetova, a gold medalist in the 1976 Olympics who is active in the International Federation of Rowing Associations, has acted as a human bridge between old and new Bulgaria.

Credit Matthew Lewis/Getty Images The shallow channel, a surrounding wall of poplar trees and the prevailing wind conditions combine to create an extraordinarily even competition, with rowers in all lanes getting virtually identical conditions — usually a tail wind or a consistent crosswind — and leaving no lane at a distinct disadvantage. That was clearly not the case at Eton Dorney, for example. The water also has a reputation for being fast — the extreme summer heat raises the temperature, allowing boats to ride high — which always pleases rowers trying to break records. Even recurring aquatic weeds have been tamed by the stocking each year of about 5,000 grass carp, a warm-water fish that feeds on the plants. “The course is almost like walking on the water,” said Anita L. DeFrantz, an American member of the International Olympic Committee and the International Federation of Rowing Associations, who won a bronze medal in rowing in 1976 at the Montreal Games. “There are only a handful of courses like this in the world.” Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to.

Sign Up Privacy Policy But Plovdiv also poses problems, both for rowers and international officials who select sites for major competitions. There was some infighting among Bulgarians in organizing the championships, and while the city boasts a rich past, it lacks the cachet and the tourism infrastructure of many other European rowing destinations. Even so, one of the city’s biggest drawbacks is about to be fixed thanks to several years of planning by Bulgarian officials and a big infusion of cash from the country’s new patron: the European Union. Next spring, construction begins on a second rowing channel as part of an $8.7 million urban development program backed in large part by the European Commission that is meant to help rejuvenate the neglected riverfront that abuts the sports complex. The development will include a wildlife sanctuary for rare cranes that nest along the Maritsa River; fishing areas; and walking and bike paths as well as other recreational facilities. Most important for rowers, the second channel, which will double as an ice-skating rink in the winter, will allow athletes warming up and cooling down to be separated from the racing lanes.

In big competitions like the championships, a single channel can create confusion on the water as racing boats must navigate around other boats awaiting their turn to compete or to exit the course. “It is a particular problem when you have young rowers in an international competition for the first time,” DeFrantz said. Because it is an Olympic year, the championships here combined junior contests — for rowers 18 and younger — with seven boat classes of the world rowing championships that are not on the Olympic program. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Samuel Pell Helms, 18, of Snohomish, Wash., who competed as a junior for the United States in a four-man boat, said an additional channel would be a vast improvement. “It always seemed like you were running into somebody out on the water,” said Helms, who last year rowed at the junior championships at Eton Dorney. “It felt a lot more crowded than London.” Not insignificantly, the second channel would also open the door to television coverage. Ivan Popov, a Plovdiv businessman who was a member of the Bulgarian organizing committee for the championships, said electronic media have been uninterested in covering the races because they are too difficult to follow with so many boats on the water.

“We are going to change that,” Popov said. “Plovdiv will become a world center for water sports.” Otzetova, the former Bulgarian rower helping to oversee the events, has been an influential proponent of the new channel. A gold medalist in the 1976 Olympics who is active in the international federation, Otzetova has acted as a human bridge between old and new Bulgaria. An architect, she helped design the rowing course here during Communist times when the site was doubled in length to 2,000 meters (about 2,187 yards) to accommodate international competitions. She has since been consulted in the design of countless other rowing sites, including the Olympic venues in Athens, Beijing and London. Realistically, Otzetova said, a small country like Bulgaria will always have a hard time competing with bigger countries in landing international competitions like those envisioned here in rowing, kayaking and canoeing. But she remains bent on trying, insisting obstacles are nothing new in Bulgaria. “It was a big fight to get this built in the first place,” she said.

A version of this article appears in print on August 24, 2012, on Page B9 of the New York edition with the headline: Bulgaria Back in Race. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe Plovdiv – Travel guide at Wikivoyage Understand[ edit ] Plovdiv is debatably the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe, with a history traced back to 6000 BC. Originally it had seven tall hills, some of which were used for quarries. It was originally a Thracian settlement by the name of Eumolpias. The city has changed its name many times with new settlers and rulers: from Philippoupolis and Pulpudeva ("the city of Philip", the father of Alexander the Great), through Trimontium ("the three hills"),to Pəldin, Pləpdiv (Плъпдив) and Plovdiv. They also left their marks behind: there are several Roman ruins that can be seen in or near the city centre area. During the long occupation by the Ottoman Empire, a large mosque, still present, was built in the centre of the city.

During Communist times, a statue of the unnamed Russian soldier was erected on one of the three main hills which overlooks the city. Today, Plovdiv is a famous tourist destination itself and also serves as a gateway to many other points of interest. Plovdiv is well known for hosting the Plovdiv International Fair twice a year and for its ancient, medieval and enlightenment sites. When you are in Plovdiv, you can get help and more information about the city from one of the two Tourist information centres in the city. The first one is located in the middle of the city, right next to the post office; when arriving in the city via train or bus through "Yug" or "Rhodopi" stations, this is one of the first buildings you'll come across in the city centre. The second one is located in the Old City, on its main street (Saborna St), close to the Ethnographic museum and the beautiful church of Saint Konstantin and Elena. Tourist information centres can help you with all kinds of information including city maps, information about concerts, bus and train schedules, and finding a place to sleep.

By plane[ edit ] Plovdiv has a small airport originally called Krumovo, now Plovdiv International Airport. There are flights from/to London-Stansted and Frankfurt-Hahn via Ryanair, and Moscow-Domodedovo via S7 Airlines . There is a bus, that goes from the airport to the central bus station "Yug". There are buses after every flight. On the way back to the airport you can choose from one-way or return tickets. You can also go there by a taxi and it will cost you about 15 leva (about €7.50) from the city centre. By train[ edit ] There are many national and international trains from and to Plovdiv. There are many daily trains to and from Sofia . Duration is from about two and a half hours for the express ones to four hours for the slow ones. There is also one daily train to/from Istanbul in Turkey which takes about 11 hours. You can check the timetable at bdz.bg The railway station is located near the city centre, it takes around 10-15 min walk to the centre.

By car[ edit ] The A1 expressway/motorway connects Plovdiv westward to Sofia, and eastward all the way to Burgas on the Black Sea. Other destinations require two-lane roads, such as the most direct route to Pleven , which is the somewhat adventurous Troyan pass road. By bus[ edit ] Plovdiv has 3 bus stations - "Yug", "Sever", and "Rhodopi". There are many buses for cities all around Bulgaria and to some that are outside the country. Buses to destinations near Plovdiv run from "Rhodopi" station. Both "Yug" and "Rhodopi" stations are within five minutes walking distance from the main train station of Plovdiv. Yug station has an ATM located just outside so you can easily get local currency there if you're arriving by bus from abroad. Buses for Sofia leave from this station. Buses run hourly from Sofia, and are slightly faster than the trains. Metro Turizm is a Turkish bus company that runs daily bus service to and from Istanbul in Turkey.

Buses going from Plovdiv to Istanbul depart from Yug Station daily at 11:00, 14:00, 19:00, 22:30, and 01:00. The trip costs TRY40 (as of the summer of 2011) and takes roughly 7 hours, depending upon the vagaries of traffic and the border crossing. Metro buses also depart daily for Bursa, Turkey at 19:00. A second bus line (Alpar) also has a daily bus from Yug Station to Istanbul that departs at 22:30. Eurolines run a bus to Thessaloniki via Sofia that leaves at 08:00 from the Yug station, tickets can be bought on board. Metro Turizm run a similar service at 08:30, tickets can be bought from the office at the station. Get around[ edit ] Taxis and buses are prevalent. Downtown has a large pedestrian zone. Taxis are (Summer 2010) as cheap if not cheaper than bus rides when split between 3-4 people in general.

A 5-7km of traveled distance was charged at around 5lv (charge for km is 0.75 leva daily and 0.95 leva nightly); an average ride within the city costs around 3 leva. The taxi arrives in about 3-5min. Remember to order the Taxi from the companies that offer the best deals and wait for it. Generally taking the taxi that is already waiting will cost you more (sometimes up to 5-times more) avoid them or ask for flat price that fits you! Learn who offers best prices from the locals who often use taxis. Most of the taxicars has 4-digit numbers on them, remember some and use it if you need a car, for example: 6155, 6142, 9199 and so on. As of summer 2011, if your taxi ride costs more than 5 leva, you are entitled to a 20% discount off the fare. Public bus tickets cost 1 leva. See[ edit ] Old Plovdiv is compact and walkable, with the main downtown road blocked to car traffic.

There is a good collection of Bulgarian revival buildings in use as museums, hotels, and restaurants etc. and is worth a visit if you have chance. Roman Amphitheatre. The Roman Amphitheatre, discovered in the 1970s during a construction project, is part of the pedestrian zone, and typically has merchants selling art and other items nearby. (updated Feb 2016) St. Marina church. with a unique wooden tower (updated Feb 2016) Wander the cobblestone streets near the downtown to find, a mosque from the Ottoman Empire, and on the nearby hill the old town centre. The old town centre was walled, and has a famous gateway entrance. Nearby Puldin Restaurant has subterranean rooms where the old wall and historic artefacts can be seen. Continuing up the hill several older houses are now museums and the Roman amphitheatre with an overlook of the town below is partially restored and still used for concerts and other occasions. In the new centre of the city, right before you go up into the old city, you will see the "Roman stadium", which dates back to the late 1st/early 2nd century.

It had a capacity of 30,000 people; and as the Roman laws dictate that the city stadium should have seating for at least half the population, it summarily shows the town had 60,000 inhabitants during Roman times. In addition, the ancient theatre is capable of seating 6,000 people at once, and yes, as you already guessed, Roman laws were dictating that the theatres should accommodate one-tenth of the population at a time. When you go to the other end of the pedestrian street, next to the Tourist Information Centre and the post office, you will see the Roman Odeon and Forum. The forum was to Romans what the city centres are to modern human. This one had three sides of 13 shops on each side, and a fourth one for the bank, library, and other institutions of this sort. There's also a nice park with kid playgrounds and colour+music fountains. Bachkovo Monastery. To the south of the city there is the Bachkovo Monastery, still in use.

(updated Feb 2016) Farther into the Rhodope mountains one can find ski resorts and other natural attractions, such as the impressively narrow gorge and caves leading to Trigrad, not far from the mountainous Greek border. Do[ edit ] Plovdiv offers many things to do, and most are easily walkable. The Hills - For starters enjoying the sunset from all the different hills is a must. Walk all the way to the top in the late afternoon, pick something to drink and stay there for the sunset. Go down to enjoy the nightlife once it's dark. On one of the hills there is a kids train /don't worry it's not for kids/ that goes up into the hill and gets back down. It costs 1 lev and it's located on the Mladeshki hill. On the top of the Bunardjik Hill you can see the monument to the Soviet Army, known by locals simply as Alyosha. Old Town - Another must is the old town of Plovdiv which is full of art, free of cars and very enjoyable. Go take a walk. Try it at day, try it at night - it's amazing. Try some of the bars - there are life performances sometimes there.

You might be even lucky enough to catch an opera performance in the old Roman theater. Center - Take a stroll up and down the main walking street of Plovdiv, known as "Glavnata" (The Main). It is full of shops, galleries, and cafes. Enjoy the central park during the day or at night, especially if it's a very hot day. Once the weather settles hit the main street and the bars/discos. On summer evenings, many locals gather to enjoy the recently renovated marvelous singing fountains, located in a large pond on the western edge of the park (show starts at 10 pm every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). These are only some of the things you can do in this magnificent city. There are many bus connections Asenovgrad by bus from the "Radophi" bus station, from which you can access Bachkovo Monastery and Asenovgrad Krepost, a perfect daytrip. Attend a Folk/Jazz music festival. The International Festival Plovdiv Jazz Nights is a low key but high quality 3 day event featuring some of the nation's best musicians along with some regional talents. Be there to witness a riot of colourful improvisations from great musicians.

A variety of genres, styles, instruments are used although the music revolves around the central theme of Jazz and Blues. Buy[ edit ] You can buy many different souvenirs from Bulgaria, that represents the country. Bulgarian rose tend to be one of the most popular souvenirs from the country. You can buy all kinds of rose stuff — mostly cosmetics from soaps to shampoos, gels, oils, and perfumes. Cutlery made of wood or clay might also be worthwhile to look for. Or perhaps you might be looking for a painting or even a musical instrument? Many great antique shops that have things from the Russo-Turkish War up to World War 2 Eat[ edit ] Generally speaking eating in Plovdiv should be cheap for the westerner's pocket. Fast food is available and of high quality (in general). There are McDonalds, KFC, Kastello, Verde and other popular restaurants. Budget[ edit ] The cheapest fast food could cost as little 0.50-1.00lv to 2-3lv and can be found along the main street. There are plenty of such places offering pizza, traditional food, and kebabs.

Mid-range[ edit ] There are some low-end restaurants that will be fairly affordable pay attention to the menu and think about 10-15lv for a full meal (salad, main course, dessert, drink(s)). Splurge[ edit ] Paying more will probably get you a slightly better food than the options above but most of the cost will definitely go towards the overall experience. The priciest places are located in the old town, on top of the hill. Expect to pay a bit more say 20-30lv and above. There are also a few restaurants outside the center. Drink[ edit ] 42.1332 24.7080 1 Zanzibar, ul. Peshtersko shose 88, ☎ +359 88 424 2200 . Club Zanzibar is the ideal place to drink in Plovdiv. It contains a stylish African interior Cocktail Bar which offers the best drinks in the city and at night time offers the largest nightclub in all of Plovdiv.

(updated Mar 2015) Budget[ edit ] 42.142968 24.752467 1 The Crib Hostel , Kiril i Metodiy 2 (two blocks from Dzhumaya Mosque, Main Street), e-mail: TimelessCrib@gmail.com . Check-in: 12, check-out: 11. 2 minute walk from the city center with fantastic view of the Old Town from the rooftop and every bedroom. Friendly staff are always available. Clean, modern, cheerful place with free Wi-Fi everywhere, a nice common room, and a great top floor and tiled roof to chill on. Open kitchen for use, free lockers, and free washing service available. 9 Eur with breakfast. (updated Jun 2015) 42.149203 24.752175 2 Hiker's hostel . Very helpful and friendly staff. 22 lv per person per night with free breakfast. Centrally located and if there is no room they will provide tents in the garden. Will also organise trips to a number of local attractions if you can find a few people to go with you.

Hotel Plovdiv Guest , 20 Saborna St, ☎ +359 32 622 432 , e-mail: info@plovdivguest.com . ( . Twelve rooms in the Old Town. Not just a hotel but also a place for cultural activities and meetings, a tourist information center, exhibition hall with a stand for selling pieces of art and souvenirs, art cafe with an gallery. The art cafe (24 seats) is also used for breakfast and at the same time it's a perfect place for exhibitions, seminars, literature readings and other cultural events. The rooms are very clean and shiny. Each has got own its colour and spirit. Stay safe[ edit ] Generally speaking Plovdiv is a very safe place. Avoid the ghetto area and you will be very safe. Old town and the main street are generally very busy and safe. Parks during the day are safe avoid them at night unless you are with a larger company. Avoid picking a verbal fight with locals! Avoid wearing football shirts or scarves of the Plovdiv or Sofia-based football teams, especially on match days. Overall the city has improved in terms of safety over the past years.

If you are using public transport always keep an eye on your personal belongings. Many pickpockets take advantage of overcrowded buses (like bus line 1, e.g.). Go next[ edit ] Bachkovo Monastery Take the narrow-gauge train to Bankso , a gorgeous ride to a great doorway to the Pirin , which offer some of Bulgaria's best hiking and skiing. High speed trains will take you to Burgas or Sofia , making them quickly accessible options. Travel by bus to Burgas takes about 5 hours, by not-so-high-speed train - about 5,5 hours (may delay i.e. up to 6,5 hours; about 15 Lev for a person). Bachkovo Monastery - a small monastery up the valley from the nearby town of Bachkovo . Buses leave from platform 1 at the Rhodope bus station (across the tracks from the train station). The monastery is small but has a lovely chapel and some paths for easy walks in the surrounding area. Also many chances to buy jams and honey, though not all sellers are the actual producers.

Farther into the Rhodope mountains you'll find ski resorts and other natural attractions, such as the impressively narrow gorge and caves leading to Trigrad , not far from the mountainous Greek border. This city travel guide to Plovdiv is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page . Пловдив (Plovdiv) Пловдив (Plovdiv) "The most beautiful city in Bulgaria."(2 Tips) 80 Tips and reviews Log in to leave a tip here. Post Kiril Kostadinov September 14, 2016 The most beautiful city in Bulgaria Grazyna Kosno August 13, 2016 Very picturesque and colorful city:-) Full of students. Ελευθερία Δημητρίου July 21, 2016 Plo♥div is simply impressive!

♥♥♥ Sonja July 6, 2016 Daniel T June 22, 2016 Been here 25+ times Euvie Ivanova August 19, 2015 Plovdiv old town Euvie Ivanova August 19, 2015 Architecture, history, food, cafes, shops, parks, many walking streets... great city. Biliana Rousseva May 12, 2015 NB: Please do not post pictures that have NOTHING to do with our City! They will be flagged as unrelated. Biliana Rousseva December 24, 2014 The oldest city in Europe and the 6th oldest in the world, often called "The City of the Seven Hills". The oldest American educational institution outside the US was founded here in 1860. P*LOVE*DIV Emre Fedakar August 8, 2014 Rakııııııı Milena Taneva August 8, 2014 Home....homeee...

sweet home :-) Plovdiv – Guide | Bulgaria Guide Attractions Surroundings The second largest Bulgarian city – Plovdiv is situated in the western part of the Upper Thracian Valley, 150 km east of Sofia. Plovdiv is situated along the two banks of Maritsa River, and also on a number of picturesque hills (called "tepe" by the local people) that are part of the town's charm and beauty. Being the second largest city in the country, it has a population of 350 000 people. It is one of the oldest centres in Europe and keeps traces of many ancient cultures. Trimontium, Julia, Ulpia, Flavia, Poulpoudeva, Filipopolis - these are different variants of one and the same name - Plovdiv. Today, Plovdiv is the major administrative center of the Plovdiv region, a picturesque town, with many parks and gardens, museums and archaeological monuments. Home

Question: Plovdiv is the second city of which European country?
Answer: Bulgaria