Plovdiv is the second biggest city in Bulgaria. It is situated around seven hills, called “Tepeta”. Plovdiv’s history dates back to 4000 years. In ancient times there was a Thracian fortified settlement which was conquered by Phillip of Macedonia and the city received the name Phillipopolis. During the course of time, Plovdiv was a possession of different empires like: the Roman Empire (under the name Trimontium), the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire (under the name Filibe). Nowadays, the city of Plovdiv is important industrial, trade and cultural centre in Bulgaria and a popular tourist destination.

Places to visit in Plovdiv

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Spectacular natural sceneries, reserves and geological formations in Plovdiv

The Ancient Plovdiv

The Ancient Plovdiv Historical and Architectural reserve is an architectural complex where the development of the city during the different ages can be seen: fortress remains from the Thracian times, a lot of well-preserved Roman buildings and constructions such as fortification walls, water and sewerage system, paved streets.

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The most important constructions from the Roman period are:

The Roman Stadium, which was built during the 2nd century AD with similar design as the Stadium in Delphi. It was able to accommodate up to 30 000 people who have come to watch the gladiator fights and different sport events.

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The Roman Forum and Odeon complex was built in 1st century AD. It is the biggest in Bulgaria and was situated on a territory of 11 hectares. In its northern part is located the Odeon having around 350 seats, which was used for the City Council gatherings. Later the Odeon was transformed into theatre.

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The Ancient Roman Theatre was built in the 2nd century AD and is one of the best preserved such theatres in the world. In the 4th century a large part of the construction was destroyed by a natural disaster but in the recent past the theater was reconstructed and preserved for the future generations. Because of its good acoustic which is due to the specific architecture, the theatre is still used for concerts and other cultural events and can accommodate up to 7000 viewers.

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Cultural sights

The Historical Museum

The Historical Museum was founded in 1951. In four different expositions, located in separate buildings, the historical and cultural treasures (15th – 20th centuries) of Plovdiv and the region are kept.

“The Unification of Bulgaria from 1885” exposition displays exponent from the period when Plovdiv was the capital of Eastern Rumelia (an autonomous province in the Ottoman Empire established under the terms the Treaty of Berlin of 13 July 1878).

“The Bulgarian National revival” exposition is dedicated to the National Revival period (18th – 19th century) and the liberation movement against the Ottoman rule.

“The book publishing in Bulgaria 19th – 20th centuries” exhibition contains a great number of books, unique editions, geographical maps, school pictures and more. There is also a recreation of a classroom from the Bulgarian Revival Period.

“The Modern History” exhibition reveals the development of the city of Plovdiv from the Liberation (1878) until the end of the 1940s. There is also a big and very picturesque collection of Japanese Dolls exposed here.

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The Archeological Museum

The Archeological Museum is founded in 1882. There are pottery, jewelry and tools from the Neolithic, Heliolithic and Bronze Ages, samples from the ancient Greek art, sculptures, different tools, instruments and jewelry from the Middle Ages and a big collection of religious items and books from the Renaissance period.

The Ethnographical Museum

The Ethnographical Museum houses a rich collection of exponent showing the traditional culture and life of the region during the Revival period (18th – 19th centuries) in several thematic fields: Agriculture, Crafts, Textiles and Clothing, Furniture and Interior, Musical instruments and Ritual items, Fine Arts and Photo gallery.

The Natural Science Museum

The Natural Science Museum is opened in 1955. Its exhibition is divided into: Minerals, Botany, Invertebrates, Aquarium, Sea Bottom, Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals. On the ground floor of the building is located the largest freshwater aquarium in Bulgaria with more than 40 species of decorative fish and some amphibians. Another very interesting exposition is the collection of Rhodope minerals.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER – PLOVDIV

Contacts

Tel: +359 32 620453

E-mail: [email protected]

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.plovdiv-tour.info

Steet address: 22 Saborna Str., city of Plovdiv