Plovdiv - Plovdiv

Plovdiv is the second city Bulgarian in order of size and one of the oldest cities inEurope. It has been declared European capital of culture for 2019 together with Matera.

To know

Geographical notes

The city of Plovdiv is located on the banks of the Marica River, in the southern part of the Plovdiv plain, an alluvial plain that forms the western part of the Upper Thracian Plain, about 152 km south-east of the capital. Sofia. It is surrounded by Antibalcani to the northwest and come on Rhodope mountains South.

The territory on which Plovdiv stands includes six syenite hills, traditionally called by its inhabitants tepeta: Džendem, Bunardžik, Sahat, Nebet, Džambaz and Taksim. The last three form the central and ancient nucleus of the city. Until the beginning of the twentieth century there were seven hills but the smallest (Markovo Tepe) was destroyed.

When to go

The temperate climate is characterized by a strong contrast in temperatures between summer and winter, which makes it very similar to a continental climate. Summers are generally hot and dry, while winters are often very cold. The average annual temperature is 12.3 ° C while the average maximum temperature is in July (33 ° C). The average relative humidity is 73% and is highest in December (86%) and lowest in August (62%). Total rainfall is 540 mm: the wettest months of the year are May and June with an average precipitation of 66.2 mm, while the driest is August with an average of 31 mm. The average depth of the snow cover is 2 to 4 cm, but in some winters it can reach 70 cm or more. Fogs are frequent in the colder months, especially along the banks of the Marica.

Background

Plovdiv is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, which is now located on six hills. The first Thracian settlement on the Nebet hill dates back to 6,000 BC. The first inhabitants of the city were presumably Thracian tribes.

In 342 BC Philip of Macedon conquered the city and gave it the name Philippopolis ("Philippos" and "polis" - city). In 12 A.D. the Romans began to conquer the provinces of Thrace on the territory that is today Bulgaria. After the death of the Thracian king Remetalce III in 46 AD, Thrace was officially proclaimed a Roman province. During this period the city of Plovdiv was already an important administrative center and soon after it was proclaimed a metropolitan city of the province of Thrace. The city was called Trimontium (a city on three hills) but soon regained its former name Philippopolis.

During the long occupation of the Ottoman Empire, a large mosque was built still present in the central area. During the communist period, on one of the three main hills overlooking the city, a statue of the Russian unknown soldier was erected.

Today Plovdiv is a popular tourist destination and entry point for many other points of interest. Plovdiv is famous for hosting the Plovdiv International Fair twice a year and for its archaeological sites.

In Plovdiv you can find help and more information about the city from one of the two Tourist Information Centers: the first is located in the city center, between the post office and the Odeon; when you arrive in the city by train or bus through the "Ugh" or "Rhodopi" stations, it is one of the first buildings you come across. The second is located in the historic center, on the main street (S. Saborna), just before the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of San Konstantin and Elena. There is also an information desk inside the train station. Tourist offices can help you, but don't expect a good level of English. You can always try to use the free wifi at bus and train stations.

How to orient yourself

How to get

By plane

Plovdiv International Airport is located near the village of Krumovo, 15 km from the city center (about 20 minutes by car). FromItaly there are direct RyanAir flights from BergamoOrio al Serio.

The alternative is to land at Sofia and then take a direct bus to Plovdiv.

How to get around

The historic center area has a large pedestrian area, so it is very likely that you will move around on foot.

By taxi

Taxis and buses are the most popular and frequent means of transport.

By car

If you plan to travel with your own car, beware: Plovdiv has one of the highest road accident rates in the country.

What see

Old Plovdiv is small and walkable, with the main street in the city center blocked for car traffic. There are several buildings such as museums, hotels, restaurants, etc. and worth a visit if you get the chance. The neighbour Roman theatre, discovered in the 1970s during a construction project, is part of the pedestrian zone, and typically here and nearby are merchants selling works of art and other objects. Stroll the cobbled streets near the city center to find the centuries-old church of Santa Marina with a unique wooden tower, the mosque dating back to the period of the Ottoman Empire, and on the nearby hill the historic center of the city. The historic center of the old city was walled up, and has a remarkable front door. The nearby restaurant Puldin it has underground rooms where you can see the old walls and historical artifacts. Continuing up the hill, several older houses are now museums. The Roman amphitheater overlooking the city below it is partially restored and still used for concerts and other events. When you go to the other end of the pedestrian street, near the Tourist Information Center and the post office, you will see the Odeon and the Roman Forum. This had three sides of 13 shops on each side, and a fourth for the bank, library and other institutions of this type.

• 42.14444424.75251 Catholic Cathedral of St. Louis of the French. Built in 1861 in Baroque style, the first organ in Bulgaria was installed here. In 1931 a fire seriously damaged the church by destroying the organ. After the fire the building was rebuilt again. It was frescoed by the artist Stamatov Krusty. The current neoclassical facade was the work of the architect Kamen Petkov. The bell tower was built in 1898 and is equipped with 5 bells gift of Pope Leo XIII, produced in Bochum in Germany. The church contains the tomb of Maria Luisa of Bourbon-Parma (1870-1899), first wife of Ferdinand I of Bulgaria.  
• 41.94222224.8494442 Bačkovo Monastery. Founded in 1083. Second in historical importance and artistic value only to the Rila monastery. At the center of the monastic complex there are two churches joined together: the smaller one, dedicated to the archangels Michael and Gabriel, dates back to the 12th century; the large one, dedicated to the Virgin, dates back to 1604. The main attraction of the church is the icon of the Virgin (of Byzantine manufacture) considered miraculous and which could date back to the 7th century. Its coating was produced in 1819 by the jewelry school of the same monastery. Outside the monastic enclosure there is the ossuary chapel of the Holy Trinity, on two floors from the 11th century. The chapel bears oriental, Armenian, Syrian and Georgian influences; the alternation of stone and brick in the external masonry is typical of the style of the first Bulgarian kingdom. Inside there are frescoes from the second half of the fourteenth century, among the highest examples of Byzantine art.  
• 42.14785824.7483433 Dzhumaya Mosque. Rebuilt in its present form by the will of Sultan Murad II, it stands on the remains of the ancient cathedral of Sveta Petka Tarnovska.  
• Tashkopryu Mosque. 

• Roman forum. Built in the 2nd century, the forum was the economic, political and cultural center of Plovdiv. Square in shape, it measured 184 m by 136 m and was surrounded by a colonnaded portico. On the eastern, southern and western sides there were warehouses, to the north were the most important buildings, some partially brought to light. In the north-eastern part of the forum there are the remains of the Odeon. 
• 42.14683924.7510064 Roman theatre. It was built between 114 and 117, under Trajan, as shown by an inscription discovered there. The cavea in its original state was able to accommodate from 5,000 to 7,000 spectators. Different sectors of the theater were reserved for the districts into which the city was divided. Fourteen steps have been preserved in the cavea, which together with the remains of the stage and the proscenium still testify to the decorative richness of the building.  
• 42.14756824.7480185 Roman Hippodrome (stadium). The old Philippopolis stadium is located in the central Džumaja square and was originally used for athletic games. Here the games of Kendrijski and Alexandria took place, in honor of the god Apollo and Alexander the Great. Only at the end of the 4th century did the stadium begin to be used as a competition track for chariot races, because the emperor Theodosius prohibited athletic games. The ancient Roman circus could accommodate about 30,000 spectators and was one of the most impressive and significant buildings in the thriving city of Plovdiv.  
• Trakart. In an open passage in the pedestrian underpass of the bulevard Zar Boris III Obedinitel, among the ruins of the palaces dating back to the Roman domination, there is the Trakart cultural center, whose interior houses mosaics of the third century, remarkable for their size and state of conservation. . They were found on site in the eighties of the twentieth century, excavating among the remains of a large house rebuilt after the Goth devastation of 251. Of the house, which was connected to the nearby basilica, in the fourth century the seat of an important ecumenical council, only the foundations, however useful for reading the plan: the main entrance of the house, the rooms and part of the portico are distinguished. 

• 42.151524.7449726 Plovdiv Regional Archaeological Museum. One of the first Bulgarian cultural institutions, inaugurated in 1882. It has one of the richest collections of 100,000 artefacts from the cultural heritage of Plovdiv and its territory. The museum houses one of the most important and important Thracian treasures in Bulgaria. Composed of gold objects that belonged to an unknown Thracian ruler of the Odrisi tribe who reigned at the end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 3rd century BC, produced in Lampsaco city ofAsia Minor, is composed of a set of nine gold objects for ceremonial rites with a total weight of 6,100 kg. The set includes a phiale (a plate) and eight rhyta (containers) of different shapes: zoomorphic (with the head of a deer and ram) and anthropomorphic (with the head of an Amazon). The treasure was found in 1949 in a Thracian tomb near the town of Panagyurishte in the province of Plovdiv. In addition, the museum exhibits a rich and varied collection of ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine works of art.  
• 42.1524.7530567 Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum. It is located in a rich palace dating back to 1847 in the typical Bulgarian Renaissance style, where it houses a rich ethnographic collection made up of material from the Plovdiv region.  

Events and parties

• If you like music, concerts are held in the symphony hall opposite the main post office. Tickets cost 3-5 euros, and the quality is good.
• Plovdiv Jazz Fest. In autumn. 

What to do

Plovdiv offers many things to do and most of them are within easy walking distance.

• Walking the hills - enjoying the sunset from all the different hills is a must. Walk to the top in the late afternoon, pick something to drink and stay there for the sunset. Get off to enjoy the nightlife once it's dark. On the Mladeshki there is a little train that goes up and down. It costs 1 lev. On the Bunardjik hill you can see the monument of the Russian unknown soldier - it is dedicated to all Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish war.
• Old Town . truly fascinating and with a little luck you can enjoy live performances of various kinds, including operas at the ancient Roman theater.
• Center - Enjoy the central park during the day, especially if it's very, very hot in the day, and at night - the beautiful singing fountains. Then turn to the main street and its bars / clubs.
• Free tour of Plovdiv - The free tour in English is available daily at 11am and 6pm (May-September) or 2pm (October-April) despite bad weather, even on public holidays. Starting point - Municipal Building (Plovdiv Town Hall). End point - Nebet Hill. Organized by guides from the non-profit organization "Free Sofia Tour". No need to book, just show up! More information on the Free Plovdiv Tour website.

Shopping

How to have fun

Plovdiv has a lively nightlife. The recently renovated district of Kapana (the trap) has been transformed into a pedestrian zone and is now full of cafes, bars, small restaurants and shops.

Night clubs

• Kotka & Mishka, ul. Hristo Dyukmedzhiev 14, ☎ 359 87 840 7578. Wide choice of local and international beers. 
• 1890, ul. Hristo Dyukmedzhiev 6, ☎ 359 89 847 3055. Nice atmosphere and music. 
• Alfreddo Gelateria. Good coffee, free wifi, lots of young people, and a great view of the square. 
• San Diego Limousines (Лимузини San Diego), ☎ 359 885326959. From 22 BGN / pax for the first hour; 11 BGN / pax for each additional hour. Open 24/7. An extravagant day or night experience - a club on wheels. All-inclusive packages bundled with a choice of extras like a full bar, exotic dancers, airport or intercity transfers. 

Where to eat

In general, eating in Plovdiv should be cheap. Be sure to try Bulgarian cuisine too: stewed meats, fresh salads and cheeses, and good local wine. In any case, there are also the usual fast food restaurants.

Moderate prices

The cheapest fast food restaurant could cost anywhere from 0.50-1.00lv to 2-3lv and is located along the main road. There are a lot of these places offering pizza, traditional food and kebabs. There are McDonalds, KFC, Kastello, Verdi and other popular restaurants.

• Supa Bar, ул. Виктор Юго 27, ☎ 359 87 729 0030. ~ 3 leverage. 08:00-00:00. Great soups. It is located near one of the entrances to Tsar Simeonov's large park. 
• 42.13800624.746871 Chili 1, ул. Авксентий Велешки 38 (near the library), ☎ 359 878 87 87 24. 3-5 leverage. 
• 42.15463924.7446442 Kilos 2, Пешеходен мост (on the pedestrian bridge), ☎ 359 878 87 87 24. 3-5 leverage. 

Average prices

• 42.14795224.7550143 Ориджинале (near the old town), ☎ 359 32663797. 8-15 leverage. Pizza. 
• Pavaj (Паваж), ul. Zlatarska 7, ☎ 359 87 811 1876. 20 lever. 

High prices

The most expensive places are located in the historic center, at the top of the hill. There are also a few restaurants outside the center. However, the more expensive restaurants offer a much more comprehensive experience especially if you are looking for Bulgarian specialties.

• Ale House, ул. Капитан Райчо 54 (east of the Trimonzium hotel), ☎ 359 884 320 111. 20-30 BGN. Bavarian-style brewery-restaurant. 
• 42.14697624.7488234 Smokini, 12 Otets Paisiy street (On the street parallel to the main pedestrian street. It is located 200 meters south of the Dzhumaya mosque.), ☎ 359 999 000 996. 20-30 BGN. Formerly called "Chuchura", a landmark for Plovdiv. It is now seen as an adventurous restaurant for international travelers. It offers a mix of traditional Bulgarian cuisine and international delicacies. The interior is spacious with industrial and vintage decor. 

Where stay

Moderate prices

• The Crib, Kiril i Metodiy 2 (In the center, close to the main attractions), ☎ 359 877708892. 9 Euros. Check in: 12:00, check-out: 11:00. Nice terrace and breakfast included. 
• Hostel Mostel, 13, Petar Parchevich Str., Ул. Петър Парчевич 13 (Right in front of the central square of Plovdiv. Less than 10 minutes walk from the central train and bus station, less than 5 minutes walk from the historic center), ☎ 359 897 100 185, @[email protected]. From 20 BGN for a bed with breakfast and basic dinner. Friendly and helpful staff who speak English well, clean, relatively new place, wifi everywhere, space for curtains, kitchen for use, lockers (not key as described on the website). Washing service available. 
• ^{[link not working]}Plovdiv Guest Hotel, 20 Saborna Street (In the historic center), ☎ 359 32 622 432, @[email protected]. Twelve rooms in the heart of the tourist area. Not only a hotel, but also a place for cultural activities and meetings where you can also find a tourist information center, an exhibition hall with a stand for the sale of works of art and souvenirs, an art café with a gallery where various cultural events and seminars take place. The art cafe (24 seats) is also used for breakfast and at the same time is a perfect place for exhibitions, seminars, literary readings and other cultural events. The rooms are very clean and shiny. Each has its own color and mood. 
• ^{[link previously not working]}Star Hotel, Patriarh Evtimiy Str. 13 (15 minutes walk from the bus station, 10 minutes walk from the old town and 2 minutes from the central post office (where the free Plovdiv walking tour starts) and the tourist center of Plovdiv). located in the middle of the main shopping street. The rooms are large and clean, and the staff are courteous and helpful. The decor is dated but charming. About 30 euros per night. 
• Ulpia House, Tsar Kaloyan square 17 (7 minutes walk from the Roman Stadium), ☎ 359 32 39 23 60, @[email protected]. Single 15 euros, double 25 euros. Triple and quadruple available. Guest house, not a hostel. Discounts possible for longer stays and low season. Use of the kitchen, free coffee. Nice private garden. Fast free Wifi. The family that runs it speaks wellEnglish. 

High prices

• Trimontium Hotel, 2 Kapitan Raicho St.. The most luxurious hotel in the city. 

Safety

How to keep in touch

Around

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Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Plovdiv
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