PLOVDIV

The second largest city in Bulgaria, and its unofficial second capital. It has a population of about 300,000. Centre of the fertile Thracian Plain, a city with a very long history, revealed by the different names under which it was mentioned in history: Pulpudeva, Philippopolis, Trimontium. Built on six hills on both banks of the largest interior Bulgarian river, the Maritsa. An old industrial, cultural and commercial centre, developing rapidly nowadays. Well-known abroad for its annual International Fair. Scattered around six syenite hills rising in a vast plain and lying on the two banks of the Maritsa River, Plovdiv is not only beautifully situated, but also has an inimitable charm of its own. Its oldest part comprises the three hills called Trimontium encompassing the heights of Djambaz, Taxim and Nebet. Once upon a time the rulers of the town built high walls around it, of which all that has remained are Hissar kapiya, one of the three fortress gates and ruins. The three other hills have been turned , into lovely parks which seem to float above the town.

But Plovdiv is not merely a blend of the past and the present. It is also, as you have probably already noticed, a lively rail and road junction. The surroundings, too, abound in places of historic interest, and then there – e the teary Rhodope Mountain

Sights:

Liberators’ Hill. On it there are three monuments: the Monument to Vassil Levski (at the foot of the hill), the Monument to the Liberators, commemorating the Russo-Turkish war (1877-1878), and the Monument to the Soviet Army, which the citizens of Plovdiv affectionately call ‘Alyosha’.

Youth Hill – to the southwest of Liberators’ Hill. It is a beautiful park with wide alleys, picturesque paths, arbours and open spaces ephesus sightseeing.

Vassil Kolarov Hill – in the centre of the city. An old clock tower stands on the hill.

National Archaeological Museum. On show are more than 15,0 exhibits, among them the priceless Panagyurishte Gold Treasure.

National Ethnographic Museum, Museum of the Revolutionary Movement, Museum of Socialist Construction, Natural Science Museum, Art Gallery, etc.

Of the Orthodox churches in the city the most interesting are: St Constantine and Helena’s Church, the Church of the Virgin Mary and St Marina’s Church.

Worth seeing, too, are two mosques: Djoumaya Djamiya and Imaret Djamiya.

The best hotels in Plovdiv are: Trimontium – tel. 2-55-61, Maritsa – 2-27-35, Trakia – 3-24-70, Bulgaria – 2-60-64, and Rhodopes – 2-43-32.