PLACES TO VISIT IN PLOVDIV (PHILIBE)
- berfinozelsel
- Jul 15, 2024
- 12 min read
BULGARIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Plovdiv, also known as; Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe (archaeologists have discovered evidence of settlements dating back to the Neolithic period in 6,000 BC).
Plovdiv was ruled by Greeks, Romans, Celts, Huns, Slavs, Bulgarians, Thracians and Ottomans over the years. You can explore centuries-old ruins in the Old Town, with its cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.
Plovdiv is built at the foot of seven hills, so it is often called the "City of Hills" or "Seven Hills". It is located in the west of Bulgaria and the largest Bulgarian river, the Maritsa River, passes through the city. Therefore, naturally the city was divided into two. To the north of the Maritsa River is only the "North" district, formerly known as Karşıyaka, while to the south of the river is the main part of the city, which includes five other districts. The city is the cultural center of Bulgaria and has been named the European Capital of Culture. There are many important places to visit and see here. Be sure to visit the Roman Amphitheatre, see the Archaeological Museum and relax under the trees in Tsar Simeon's Central Garden.
Places you must visit in Plovdiv:
PHILIBE TRAVEL GUIDE
Knyaz Aleksandar I Street:
This long shopping street closed to traffic is known as the heart of Plovdiv. You can wander around here, shop and feel the atmosphere of the city. Knyaz(Prince) Aleksandar I is Plovdiv's main street, full of cafes and shops surrounded by pastel-coloured Baroque buildings. It is 1.75 kilometers (1 mi) long and is one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe. If you want to walk the entire street, you can start from the covered bridge over the Maritsa River. The bridge itself is filled with shops and offers beautiful views of the river. Long street is always crowded. The area is vibrant and colorful and full of cool shops and unique street art. This is the best place to enjoy the local pace of life. You can choose this as the first stop of your trip.
Rome Stadium (Philippopolis Stadium):
Located at one end of Knyaz Aleksandar I Street, this 2nd century stadium carries the traces of antiquity to the present day. Built in the second century, the stadium is 240 meters long and 50 meters wide. Additionally, it has a capacity of up to 30,000 people. The stadium has been used for various sporting events, games, chariot races, musical performances and many other events. The discovery of the stadium took place in the 1920s.
Filippopolis Stadium was built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian at the beginning of the 2nd century AD. It is located at the northern end of the city walls, in the natural land between the western slope of Taksim Hill and the eastern slope of Sahat Hill. Archaeological excavations carried out at different stages over the years, starting in the 1907-1908 period, revealed the monumental portal slot at the southern end of the stadium and the curved part (sfendona) at the northern end. Located under the buildings on today's main street ( Knyaz Aleksandar I Street), there are 14 rows of amphitheatre-shaped seats made of monolithic marble blocks and decorated with stylized lion claws.
It is exhibited in the Roman Stadium square, in the northern curved part (sphedona) of the stadium. Under the tribunes (cavea), a vaulted passage dug into the natural land with a track corridor was found. A seating area is built on top of the vault. To the north of the corridor, a section of the city wall of Philippopolis, built in the 2nd century and renovated in the 3rd and 4th centuries, was found. In the 4th century, this area was crossed by an ancient aqueduct. The main entrance of the stadium is formed by marble pilasters and stone columns decorated with reliefs. These columns can be seen today in the regional archaeological museum in Plovdiv. There are statues of Hermes placed on the pilasters, above vases decorated with palm branches. These are presented with a lion hide, a mace and an arrow sheath, which are features of Heracles. In 1995, Philipoppol Stadium was declared a monument of national and cultural importance.
Cuma Mosque (Hüdavendigar Mosque):
This mosque, which is a beautiful example of early Ottoman mosque architecture, was built by Ottoman Sultan Murad I. It is also known as Hüdavendigar Mosque, which is the nickname of the Sultan.
Dzhumaya Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the Balkans; because it is accepted that the original mosque was built on the site of a Christian temple in the 14th century. In the 15th century, Sultan Murad I demolished that building and replaced it with the mosque you see today. Dzhumaya Mosque is the main mosque in Plovdiv and is open to visitors. It is located just behind the northern curve of the Roman Stadium.
Plovdiv Old Town: „Старинен Пловдив”
Plovdiv Old Town, famous for its colorful houses, stone-paved streets and flowering gardens, is one of the most beautiful and historical areas of the city.
When you enter Plovdiv's Old Town through an underpass near the Kapana neighborhood, you will find yourself near the Balabanov House. This is probably the most famous Revival House in the city and one of its symbols. It is a very good example of the typical Bulgarian revival architectural style. If you look around you will see many similar houses. Today, most serve as museums, galleries or hotels. When you search for places to visit in Plovdiv, you will find many house suggestions. All of these houses are located in the old town.
Hisar Kapia (Hisar Gate):
Located in Plovdiv Old Town, this magnificent castle gate is one of the historical defensive structures of the city. The original gate was built in the 2nd century.
Hisar Kapia is one of the most famous historical gates in Plovdiv. Dating back to the 11th century, this gate is one of the three entrance gates of ancient Plovdiv. During the Ottoman period, Plovdiv became an inner city for the empire and no longer needed walls. Therefore, during this period, revival houses were placed in the ruins of the old stone walls around the gate.
Additionally, Kîyumdzioglu House, located in this region, serves as the Ethnographic Museum of Plovdiv. This house houses a valuable museum collection reflecting traditional Bulgarian lifestyle and culture. With its historical atmosphere and ethnographic richness, this house is an interesting stopping point for visitors.
Plovdiv Ethnographic Museum:
Near the Citadel Gate you see a stately dark-colored Revival house. This is also known as Kîyumdzioglu House, Plovdiv's Ethnographic Museum. This building, built in 1847, is today considered one of the most beautiful places in our city.
Located in Plovdiv Old Town, this museum houses rich collections of folk culture and traditional handicrafts in a historical house. This museum is located in a 150-year-old building built in the Renaissance style. Surrounded by a tranquil garden, the museum depicts Bulgarian life from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century through cultural artifacts such as furniture, clothing and carpets. With over 40,000 items in its collection, there's a lot to see! The entrance fee is 6 BGN.
Ancient Theater (Ancient Theater of Philippopolis):
Plovdiv's most iconic landmark, the ancient theater, was built at the end of the 1st century and the beginning of the 2nd century. Present-day Plovdiv lies where the ancient Roman city of Philippopolis once stood, and the large ruins of the theater lie in the heart of the city centre. Its 28 rows of marble seats could once seat 6,000 people and were used for theatre, musical events, town meetings and athletic spectacles such as gladiator fights. The extensive ruins were only discovered following a landslide in the 1970s. Approximately 4.5 meters of soil was removed to completely reveal the structure. Located in Plovdiv Old Town, this ancient theater is one of the best preserved examples of theater from the Roman period. Today, it is used as a stage for theatre, drama, music and opera performances. You can take a tour to visit the area by paying 5 BGN.
Tzar Simeon Park:
Located in the city center, this park is an ideal place to relax and spend time in touch with nature. This perfect green space is the perfect escape from the busy shopping area of Plovdiv's main street. In the middle of the park is a restored fountain of the Goddess Demeter and a Viennese-style pavilion. ''Singing Fauntains'' on the lake presents a light show with water effects every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 21:30.
Kapana Region:
Kapana District, full of art galleries, cafes and restaurants, is a region where the heart of modern art and life beats.
"Snap" ; It means trap. Dating back to the Ottoman period, Kapana was once a center of merchants and craftsmen, but today it has become an artistic neighborhood full of popular restaurants, cafes, street art, bars and galleries. Since most of the region is closed to traffic, you can easily visit it.
Nebet Tepe:
The top of Old Town. Nebet Tepe, which was used as a guard hill during the Ottoman period, is now a historical place covered with 4000-year-old ruins. It is one of the three hills on which the ancient city, founded approximately 6,000 years ago, is located. As of 2023, it has been closed to visitors due to ongoing archaeological work to further examine the ruins found on the hill. There are currently two theories about the origin of the complex. The first theory is that it was a castle built to protect the city. The second theory is that there was a royal complex and a religious center at the top of the hill.
The Thracian settlement in Nebet Tepe dates back to B.C. It was conquered by Philip of Macedon in 342. The city was named after him "Philippopolis". During that period, the city grew significantly and became an important political and economic center in the Thrace region. In the 1st century AD, the city was included within the borders of the Roman Empire. The Romans called it "Trimontium", which means "three mountains". This name was used to describe the cluster of three hills on which the old city is located - Nebet Tepe, Dzhambaz Tepe and Taksim Tepe.
During the Roman period, the city expanded further and became a metropolitan area and regional centre. By that time, the city had reached today's main street and square, where the Roman stadium and the Roman forum are located. However, Nebet Tepe continued to play an important role as part of the fortress with the Ottoman invasion of the Balkan Peninsula in the 14th century. In fact, the name "Nebet" means "on guard" in Turkish. Therefore, it is believed that this area is the Sentry Hill, where the city's guardians were located in Antiquity and the Middle Ages. An important find found on the hill is a water reservoir with a volume of 350 m3.
Lamartine House:
This house belonged to Plovdiv merchant Georgi Mavridi. The halls and rooms on two floors are decorated with wooden carved ceilings and decorated with ornaments or landscape niches called "alafranga". French diplomat Alphonse de Lamartine (former foreign minister of France) visited this house in the 19th century. Thus, together with the plaque commemorating the famous Frenchman, the house of Georgi Mavridi was called the Lamartine House.
This building is not the only place in Bulgaria where Lamartine stayed. However, in order to preserve the memory of the first French diplomat with whom Lamartine officially declared that the Bulgarians were fully ready and worthy of their freedom; They gave this building its name because it was the only building that survived after fires and earthquakes.
In 1989, the house was visited by French President François Mitterrand. In 1960, a museum exhibition for Lamartine was opened in the house.
PLOVDIV FINE ARTS GALLERY
This gallery is located in the old town area. The works of Georgi Bozhilov, one of today's contemporary art painters, are exhibited. I recommend you to visit his works because I like them very much.
Church St.Bogoroditsa
Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church is one of the oldest churches on the three hills. It was probably built on the site of an older temple.
With the increasing economic power of the Plovdiv Christian community in the 19th century, citizens ensured that old churches were maintained. After the Liberation of Bulgaria, a bell tower was designed and built at the west gate of the cathedral by the architect Joseph Schnitter, in the Classicist style that was quite fashionable in Russia at that time. An inscription was placed on the facade of the building as an expression of gratitude to the Russian troops who saved Bulgaria. To the east of the church is an old cemetery where Plovdiv Archbishops Panareth Nathaniel and Maxim are buried.
St. Dimitri Orthodox Church
In the representative part, all rooms have richly decorated multicolored mosaic floors, and the ancient symbolism and holiness of these mosaics have been preserved. These mosaics are located around the inner courtyard. The mosaic floors mark the transition from antiquity to the early Christian period and are the work of a local mosaic workshop presenting early Christian patterns and traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean. The name of the building is derived from the inscription on either side of the female figure. "Eirene" represents the Christian symbol of peace. "Eirene" means "divine peace" in Greek mythology. The Greeks call her "Irene" or "Irina" and she is the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Eirene is often depicted as a young woman carrying a horned cornucopia.
Emperor Constantine I built three churches in Constantinople dedicated to wisdom (Sofia), strength (Dynamic), and peace (Irene). Saint Irene, celebrated by Christians on May 5, thus came to life. The mosaic painting of a woman with the inscription "Eirene" is the first painting of this type found in Bulgarian lands after the 4th century. After the 4th century AD, the Eirene residential building was part of the basilica complex, and a street starting from here connected to the main entrance of the large basilica. The Eirene residential building existed in this form from the end of the 4th century AD and was restored several times during this time.
Plovdiv Metropolis (Пловдивска митрополия):
The Plovdiv Mitropolis in Plovdiv is affiliated with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and is one of the most important Orthodox Christian buildings in the city of Plovdiv. The Metropolitan of Plovdiv serves as the religious leader of the region and administers the church. This mitropolis serves the Orthodox Christian community in the region and is the center of religious activities. The Mitropoli building is an important part of the historical and cultural heritage of Plovdiv and plays an important role in the religious and cultural life of the city.
Klianti House
Klianti House is one of the oldest timber-framed residential buildings of the Bulgarian Renaissance in the architectural and historical reserve of ancient Plovdiv. Its rich decorative ornaments are impressive, and the transitional space between the two floors is considered the territory of the reserve. It bears the name of its first owner, wool fabric merchant Klianti. It was declared a national antiquity in 1945, and in 1995 it was recognized as a work of architecture and art of national importance. Research and restoration of the building began in 1971. It went through several stages, and in 2017 the house was awarded the building of the year award.
Working hours
April- October 9am-6pm
November -March 9am-5.30 pm
WHAT SHOULD WE EAT IN PHILIBE?
HAPPY GRILL BAR
These restaurants in our happy moons style are located in many parts of the city, the interior design is very stylish and the food is delicious. On the menu, the food is written with English descriptions. I had the enchilada and it was delicious. You can choose it for lunch and dinner.
Hans & Gretel
If you want to buy sweets, a very sweet shop is located on Knyaz Alexander I street.
Venue Suggestions:
Afreddo (for dessert)
Philippolis restaurant (Dinner)
TRANSPORTATION IN PLOVDIV
The only public public transportation option in the city is buses. Since Plovdiv is a smaller city compared to Sofia, there is no internal tram or metro network. However, buses in the city run quite regularly. Working hours: Around 5:30-6:00, the first buses start operating, and between 22:00-23:00 (depending on the season and day of the week), the last buses continue to operate. The ticket price is 1 leva (€0.50) and you can buy the tickets on the bus.
For a complete and detailed list of buses in Plovdiv, their routes and times (in English), you can visit this website: https://www.eway.bg/en/cities/plovdiv/routes .
You can use the Moovit application. However, keep in mind that it is not foolproof.
FINALLY: SUGGESTIONS
There are free walking tours in Plovdiv, as in Sofia, and you can join these tours to discover the history of the city. Link: https://freeplovdivtour.com/
The Free Plovdiv Tour starts in front of Plovdiv's main City Hall (1 Stefan Stambolov square). Here, in the garden in front of the building or on the flags, you can find the coat of arms and motto of Plovdiv.
If you want to travel alone, our Plovdiv travel route suggestion for you is;
1st stop: Plovdiv Roman Stadium
2. Dzhumaya Mosque
3. Kapana District
4. Old Town Plovdiv
5. Fortress Gate and Plovdiv Ethnography Museum
6. Nebet Tepe
7.Constantine and Helena Church
8. Ancient theater
If you want to examine the history of the city and its places to visit, you can also check the link:
Every city that every traveler discovers reflects the rich heritage of not only that city, but also of all humanity. Every corner, every street, every building is full of past experiences and stories. That's why traveling is an opportunity not only to see new places, but also to understand humanity's common history and diversity. Every trip opens a new window and invites us to have a broader perspective.
Let's continue to explore and understand the world better
Comments