Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, after Sofia, with a population of 341,873. It is the administrative centre of Plovdiv Province in southern Bulgaria, as well as the largest and most important city of the historical region of Northern Thrace, famous for its ancient and diverse culture and millennial history.
Plovdiv is located on the banks of the Maritsa river in the central part of Upper Thrace. The surrounding countryside is mostly bare, lacking major construction or landmarks, yet the city itself is particularly striking, since it, like Rome, is nestled in between seven hills. Tourists, however, are likely to count only six of those, as one of the hills was virtually destroyed at the beginning of the 1900s, and there is only a small outcrop of rock left to show where it once stood.
During its long history, Plovdiv was inhabited by many peoples who gave it different names: in Thracian: Evmolpia, Pulpudeva; Greek: Philippoupoli, Philippoupolis; Turkish: Filibe. In the Middle Ages the Bulgarians called the city Plovdiv.
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is a contemporary of Troy and Mycenae. It is older than Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople. Archaeologists have discovered fine pottery and other objects of everyday life from as early as the Neolithic Age, around the end of the 7th millennium B.C.
The most remarkable of them rising above the city is The Antique Amphitheater built by Emperor Mark Avrelii during the II century A.D. Its magnificant arcade adorned with marble statues is simply breath-taking. Theatre and opera performances are still staged here on warm summer nights.
The Roman Stadium is also constructed during the II century and reproduces the layout in Delphi, Greece. Within the centre of the ancient major town of the Roman province of Thrace remains of stone paved streets, foundations of buildings and columns and ancient fortress walls and gates reside.
The Old Plovdiv nowadays is an original living museum, an architectural phenomenon with many of the houses of those times' most prominent bulgarians turned into museums, galleries hosting various art exhibitions, festivals and biennials, and even tourist dormitories.
The Etnographic Museum in Plovdiv is one of the most interesting museums in Bulgaria. Its exhibits are on show in a beautiful house, which is a fine example of the Bulgarian Baroque architecture of the National Revival Period. It was built in 1847. The principal facade of the house faces west, giving onto a spacious and well-kept garden. It consists of two clearly differentiated bodies: middle part projecting far forwards, and side wings drawn back.
Aside from all the cultural events, Plovdiv is an ancient trade centre. Since 1892 the International Plovdiv Fair - one of the oldest and biggest on the Bolkans - is held twice annually in the beginning of May and in September, attracting participants and visitors from a wide range of countries.