Plovdiv is the 6th oldest living city in the world and it is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia dating back to neotlithic settlements 6000 BCE. When Philip II of Macedon, (after which the city was named Philippoppolis) father of Alexander Great conquered it in the 4th century BC, and later came numbers of civilisations like Persians, Greeks, Celts, Romans, Goths, Huns, Bulgarians, Slav-Vikings, Crusaders and Turks. Finally, in 1878, Plovdiv was liberated from Ottoman rule by the Russian army and it remained within the borders of Bulgaria.
Being situated on 7 fertile hills on the two banks of the Maritsa River, it is often linked to the Roman settlements as there are numerous famous sites since that times.
This incredibly rich history has given Plovdiv one of the most charming old towns in Eastern Europe, mixing the antic sites with mediaval streets and sacral buildings, recent communist era statues and building and nowadays modern squares and pedestrian roades.
This was my entrance to the city of huge contrasts: for the moment I thought I am passing Dubai. I must admit, the bus driver had a special taste for folk music. -_-
Anyhow, the ancient myth of Orpheus in the lands of ancient Thrace, is right here in Plovdiv, situated between the Rhodope Mountains (the legendary homeland of Orpheus). Thereby, the Ancient theatre of Philipoppol as one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the World!
The other important ancient site is The Stadium of Trimontium in Plovdiv. It is among the largest structures from the time of the Ancient Rome in the Balkan peninsula. The citizens still nowadays like to gather at the attached Forum / Agora and socialize, as the modern coffee places and bars are incorporated into the site.
As I said, the city was built on 7 hills of Rhodopi mountain. On the one of the hills is nowadays placed the Old town. The complex has been formed as a result of the long sequence of habitation from prehistoric times to present days and combines the architecture from Antiquity, Middle Ages and Bulgarian revival.
Behind me, up on the hill is the House of Argir Hristov Kuyumdzhioglu, a merchant from Plovdiv, who built this house in 19 century as a prominent homespun trader who owned a company in Vienna.
The house is mostly made of wood with sophisticated decorations.
After the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878, Argir Kuyumdzhioglu left Plovdiv to settle in Istanbul (Constantinople). The house was converted into a girls’ boarding house.
My favourite part of Plovdiv is the Kapana district! The part of cty where the craftsmen and rich merchants lived. Kapana means ‘the trap” since once you enter its narrow and tangeld streets, you get lost easily.
The district was a business-centre for craftsmen 5 centuries ago, so don’t be surprised of street names like Kozhuharska (Leather Str), Zhelezarska (Iron Str) and Zlatarska (Gold Str). Nowadays you will not find traditions craftsmen here but contemporary creative entrepreneurs converting the district into a real art centre and dedicated to creative industries.
Speaking about the streets named by craftsmen, I couldn’t not to see the street named after my birth city, also famous by craftsmen and it’s Old town Kaptol.
All little streets are part of the city’s pedestrian zone, so I really enjoyed walking around noticing galleries, workshops, ateliers, studios, cozy restaurants and shops, as well as other art spaces…
Another interesting district was the one with old factories. In 1939 there were 16,000 craftsmen and 17,000 workers in manufacturing factories, mainly for food and tobacco processing. During the Second World War the tobacco industry expanded, mostly led by Jews. It was the time of economic boom.
In 1943 the first deportation of the bulgarian Jews to concentration camps have started, factories are to be shoted down for the war times…
During the communist times it was in a full speed, producing heavy industrial products, being crowded with busy working class mostly used by the governent.
The district is nowadays is destroyed completely but with the idea to be re-newed again, especially since the Plovdiv is selected as Bulgarian host of European Capital of Culture in 2019.
From that time, the witnesses are many communist monuments and flat buildings with big letters, typical for the architectural style of socialism.
Typical example is the post office of the photo below. I learnt, that once stood there a beautiful Bauhaus building…
After the World War II, Bulgaria was deliberated by the Soviet troops, which is perpetuated with the Alyosha Monument – the momument to the unknown soviet soldier that commemorates the arrival of the Soviet troops. It also marks the end of World War II.
The manin street is entirely pedestrian zone with many shops, as the commercial sector is developing quickly in Bulgaria.
But what I mostly liked in the main street is the statue of Muljo – the deaf wanderer.
Apparently, Muljo was a citizen, likeable by the others, but unfortunately dead. The city of Plovdiv, after his death decided to raise the monument dedicated to his social spirit.
Bulgaria is known by the good wines, as the vineyards around Plovdiv are some of the oldest in the world.
My Bulgarian colleagues have brought me to a very specific and traditional place where we stayed long in the night.
RED RIDING HOOD 
Heya! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work!
LikeLike
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment and even I success you get right of entry to consistently rapidly.
LikeLike
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
LikeLike
I just turned 74 this year and I really like your writing!
LikeLike
An crash is an reason to get it.
LikeLike
Wonderful website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks a lot!
LikeLike
Fantastic items from you, man. I’ve remember your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely wonderful. I really like what you’ve got here, really like what you’re stating and the best way by which you say it. You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you. That is really a tremendous website.
LikeLike
Thank you for all of your effort on this web site. Kim really likes conducting investigations and it’s easy to see why. I learn all concerning the lively form you render both useful and interesting thoughts by means of the website and as well cause contribution from visitors on the theme and our own girl is certainly discovering a lot of things. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the new year. Your conducting a remarkable job.
LikeLike
I intended to compose you a little note so as to thank you very much once again over the pleasant guidelines you have featured at this time. It’s really pretty generous with people like you to provide publicly precisely what a lot of folks could have made available for an e book to earn some profit on their own, chiefly considering that you might have tried it if you ever wanted. Those good ideas also acted to be the great way to know that most people have the identical eagerness really like my personal own to know way more pertaining to this matter. I believe there are thousands of more pleasant moments up front for many who read carefully your blog post.
LikeLike
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back down the road. Cheers
LikeLike
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement? My site has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any ways to help prevent content from being ripped off? I’d really appreciate it.
LikeLike
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You seem to know a lot about this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you simply can do with a few percent to power the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
LikeLike
My brother suggested I would possibly like this web site. He was once totally right. This publish truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
LikeLike
I was just looking for this info for a while. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Usually the top websites are full of garbage.
LikeLike
I’m not sure why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
LikeLike
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.
LikeLike
Can I simply say what a aid to find somebody who actually is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You positively know how to carry an issue to gentle and make it important. Extra people must read this and understand this aspect of the story. I cant imagine youre not more fashionable since you undoubtedly have the gift.
LikeLike
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue along with your web site in web explorer, may check this… IE still is the marketplace leader and a large element of other folks will pass over your fantastic writing due to this problem.
LikeLike
Superb website you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get comments from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
LikeLike
This site definitely has all of the information I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
LikeLike
Hey there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
LikeLike
I intended to send you the tiny note in order to say thanks a lot the moment again for your stunning secrets you have discussed above. It’s incredibly open-handed of you to make openly all that a number of us might have sold for an e book to earn some bucks for their own end, primarily considering that you could possibly have done it if you ever decided. These strategies additionally worked like a easy way to recognize that some people have the identical fervor similar to my very own to understand great deal more with respect to this matter. I know there are lots of more enjoyable occasions in the future for people who read through your website.
LikeLike
hi!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your post on AOL? I need an expert on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
LikeLike
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
LikeLike
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
LikeLike
What i do not understood is in truth how you’re no longer really a lot more neatly-preferred than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, produced me personally imagine it from a lot of various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved except it’s one thing to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs nice. At all times maintain it up!
LikeLike
Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips and hints for newbie blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.|
LikeLike
I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been utilizing? I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest website and I would like to find something more secure. Do you have any solutions?
LikeLike
Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price? Kudos, I appreciate it!
LikeLike
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
LikeLike
Hey there I am so thrilled I found your blog page, I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Yahoo for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a fantastic post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the awesome work.|
LikeLike
Well I truly enjoyed reading it. This post offered by you is very practical for good planning.
LikeLike
Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?
LikeLike
Quality articles is the important to attract the users to visit the site, that’s what this website is providing.|
LikeLike
I simply want to mention I am beginner to blogs and honestly savored your web page. Likely I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You definitely come with good article content. Thank you for revealing your web site.
LikeLike
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back very soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!
LikeLike
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. cheers
LikeLike
I must point out my affection for your kindness supporting persons that really need help with this one situation. Your special dedication to passing the message up and down appears to be certainly informative and have in every case allowed women like me to reach their aims. Your new invaluable hints and tips can mean so much a person like me and especially to my peers. Thank you; from each one of us.
LikeLike
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
LikeLike
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
LikeLike
After looking at a few of the blog articles on your web page, I seriously appreciate your technique of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site as well and tell me your opinion.|
LikeLike
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
LikeLike
It’s very trouble-free to find out any matter on web as compared to books, as I found this piece of writing at this website.|
LikeLike
I like what you guys are up also. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂
LikeLike
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely useful information specifically the remaining phase 🙂 I deal with such info a lot. I used to be seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thanks and good luck.
LikeLike
Fine way of describing, and nice article to get data about my presentation topic, which i am going to deliver in institution of higher education.|
LikeLike
Good write-up, I am regular visitor of ones site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
LikeLike
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
LikeLike
I precisely desired to say thanks once more. I do not know the things I might have created without these techniques documented by you relating to that field. Certainly was a real troublesome scenario in my circumstances, however , understanding the very specialised manner you treated that made me to leap over delight. Now i am grateful for the help and thus wish you find out what an amazing job you were putting in training people through the use of your blog. More than likely you haven’t got to know any of us.
LikeLike
Aw, this was a really nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and in no way appear to get something done.
LikeLike