The colours of the old town in Plovdiv

 

As a Sofia-born girl (and Sofia being the capital of Bulgaria) I have to confess that I was only twice short in Plovdiv, the second biggest city at home. So this summer I decided to learn better the town and to spend one day there. Plovdiv's history spans 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC, ranking it among the world's oldest cities. Plovdiv was known in the West for most of its recorded history by the Greek name Philippopolis, which was introduced in 340 BC.Plovdiv was originally a Thracian city before later becoming a Greek and a major Roman one. In the Middle Ages, it retained its strategic regional importance, changing hands between the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires. Nowadays Plovdiv is often referred to in Bulgaria as "The City of the Seven Hills" as it historically developed on seven hills (which are 250 m high).

 

My Plovdiv discovery was sunny, hot and simply mind-blowing... Plovdiv has more than 200 archeological sites. The architecture of the city is a real time-machine:  there are two ancient theatres and stadium from Roman time; remains of the medieval walls and towers; Ottoman baths and mosques; a well-preserved old quarter from the National Revival period with beautiful houses, churches and narrow paved streets. The buildings in the old town (from the years 1800-1850) are beautifully restored and visiting the houses really helps imagine the life back in time...Enjoy the walk with me in pictures!  

 

PS: Next to great+colourful+ancient architecture we enjoyed yummy food, in restaurant Hebros in the old town rice with snails:-)