An unforgettable vacation on the warm sea with beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, hospitable residents and a sea of exciting impressions from visited excursions - all this is Bulgaria.
Plovdiv
On the Maritsa River, which is 150 kilometers from Sofia, is the oldest city in Europe - Plovdiv. It is believed that it is older than Athens and Rome, as its history goes back about 6000 years.
The city has changed its name many times. During the settlement of the city by the Thracians, in the first millennium BC, it was called Evmolpiada. After the city was conquered by the king of Macedonia in 342 BC. e., was called Philippopolis. During the reign of the Roman Empire, the city reached its peak, while changing its name to Trimontius, which means "city on three hills."
Then there was Pyldin, when the Slavs came to these places and the city became part of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. Captured by the Ottomans in 1364, the city changes its name again and becomes Filibe.
In the 15th century, the first mention of a city called Plovdiv appeared. When Bulgaria was liberated from the Turks in 1885 with the help of Russian troops, Plovdiv became part of it.
Walking around the city
Great pleasure can be obtained from a walk in this amazing city. Most of the narrow streets are closed to traffic. Plovdiv is a city that harmoniously combines modernity and unique architectural monuments of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Here, in beautiful historical buildings, there are cozy cafes and restaurants, many souvenir and antique shops.
Old Plovdiv, being the historical center, is certainly the richest in sights. More than one day, full of excursion programs, will have to be spent to see all the objects. Here you can see medieval wooden buildings, and the ruins of stone Ottoman mosques, and Thracian fortifications, and the ancient gates of Hissar Kapiy, and the ruins of the Roman Forum.
Roman heritage
Despite the fact that the Roman Empire has sunk into oblivion many centuries ago, evidence of its former greatness can be found throughout Europe today. Bulgaria was no exception. Plovdiv, thanks to a miraculous coincidence, presented the world with a unique antique building - the Roman Amphitheater.
The grandiose structure, designed for 3000 spectators, built over 2000 years ago by order of Emperor Troyan, was discovered by accident. This happened in 1972 during a landslide that covered Old Plovdiv. After a complete restoration, the Amphitheater became available for visiting. In the Amphitheater decorated with arcades and statues today, likebefore, concerts and performances are held.
In the very center of Plovdiv, surrounded by architectural monuments of various eras, is the Roman Stadium. The period of its construction falls on the second century AD.
Religious sites
I would especially like to mention the Church of Saints Helena and Constantine. The first church on this site appeared in 337, at the site of the execution of the martyrs Severian and Memnos, who professed the Christian faith. It was named after Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother. In this church, despite multiple destructions, priceless artifacts have been preserved. Today you can see ancient icons, frescoes and handmade decorations of extraordinary beauty.
Mosques have been preserved in Plovdiv since the Ottoman rule. The largest and most interesting is the Jumaya mosque. This mosque, built in the middle of the 14th century, has one distinctive feature. Unlike others, its vault is crowned with nine small domes.
When visiting the Church of the Holy Resurrection, built in 1578, special attention should be paid to the iconostasis of the 18th century. For the first time in the history of the Bulgarian Renaissance, it depicted secular subjects along with spiritual ones.
Museums
It is impossible to form a complete picture of the city without visiting museums and exhibitions. The most visited is the Historical Museum of Plovdiv. It exhibits priceless exhibits:
- historical documents;
- archaeological finds;
- works of art.
The collection has more than 60 thousand items.
The no less interesting Archaeological Museum has more than 100 thousand exhibits. Walking through the picturesque park area, you can also see the numerous monuments of Plovdiv.
Hosted in the old house of Dimitar Georgiadi, the exhibition of the Bulgarian Renaissance will help you learn many interesting facts about the life of the city from the 14th to the 19th centuries.
Art connoisseurs will appreciate the State Fine Arts Gallery. It is located in a building of the 19th century, which in itself is of great archaeological value. The gallery presents the works of the most famous Bulgarian painters, as well as various thematic exhibitions and events.
Best restaurants
Traditional Bulgarian cuisine is based on dairy products and meat, which is due to a long tradition of cattle breeding. Rich meat soups, soups based on fermented milk, spicy sausages and sausages, dried ham - all this can be tasted in almost any restaurant in Plovdiv.
The Nineteenth Century tavern specializes in traditional Bulgarian cuisine. The tavern is decorated like an old Bulgarian house with guns and photographs on the walls. The signature dish of this establishment is manastirski keremida (a mixture of mushrooms, intestines and tongue baked under cheese).
For lovers of Russian cuisine, it will be interesting to visit the Peter the Great restaurant. Everything here is decorated with Russian flavor.
Puldin has been considered the best restaurant in Plovdiv for several years in a row. Served here exclusivelydelicacies such as foie gras or plum rabbit.
Where to stay
Plovdiv really has a lot of hotels, which allows you to choose a place to stay for every taste and budget. One of the most stylish is Novotel Plovdiv. The modern hotel offers rooms equipped with appliances and decorated in different color shades. The hotel also has a huge indoor pool, children's playground, meeting rooms and restaurants.
The most sophisticated is the hotel-restaurant Hebros Hotel, which is located in the very center of Plovdiv. It occupies an old Renaissance building built over 200 years ago. Luxurious wooden interior decoration, antique furniture, works of art, its own wine cellar and a restaurant of national cuisine will not leave anyone indifferent.
The Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium hotel is convenient for its location. It is in close proximity to the Roman Amphitheater and other attractions of Plovdiv. Spacious rooms in the style of national comfort (with antique furniture), as well as a restaurant of national cuisine and a courtyard with a swimming pool - everything you need after a busy day of sightseeing.
Bulgaria today
Mild climate, picturesque scenery, unique historical sights make Bulgaria a popular holiday destination. The best time to travel is from May to September. The weather in Plovdiv, as well as in the whole southern part of Bulgaria, at this time favors a good pastime.
The average temperature in summer is25 degrees, the amount of precipitation is negligible. In addition, today Bulgaria is becoming more and more popular for acquiring real estate, which many stars of Russian show business have already taken advantage of.
If the question is where to go on vacation, the answer is unequivocal - Bulgaria, Plovdiv. A sea of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions will be provided to you.
