Bulgaria was our 65th country and Plovdiv was our entry point. Jam packed with history, architecture and culture we instantly fell in love. Europe’s oldest inhabited city impressed us beyond belief.
There are many sights scattered throughout the city and Roman ruins are everywhere – even in the basement of H and M.
It was difficult to pick just 5:
Explore the Old Town:
All of Plovdiv is old – dating back 8000 years, but the “Old Town” is the name of a historic area on top of one of the city’s 7 hills. This brightly coloured, cobbled district is home to city gates, ornate Ottoman mansions and museums (and the Roman Theatre – see later). The mansions are unique. They lean over the narrow roads with their roofs often almost touching. Several are open to the public. We chose the Nedkovich House. Built in 1863 it is richly decorated inside and out. It’s luxuriously ornate and exudes a real sense of merchant life in the 19th century.
Tips – return at night when the Old Town is even more atmospheric in the light of the street lamps; and for added Ottoman immersion stay in the beautifully historic and welcoming Hotel Emvolpia.
The Central Post Office:
Yes, seriously, after the Old Town this was our favourite sight. Plovdiv’s post office is an immaculately preserved Eastern Block, Soviet building from the 1970’s. The Modernist interior is like a film set. It’s free to enter and conveniently placed next to the Roman Odeon.
The Bishop’s Basilica:
The Bishop’s Basilica is an astonishing museum. It houses the original site of a basilica dating back to the 4th century and contains multiple, intact layers of mosaics from Plovdiv’s rich Christian history. The Basilica was originally built over the site of an ancient building dating back to first century BC, so you experience a substantial slice of history as you walk on glass pathways over the expanse of complex and beautiful mosaic patterns.
Dzhumaya Mosque:
The current mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Murad II (1421-1451), on the site of an earlier mosque and cathedral. It is amongst the oldest Ottoman buildings in the Balkans. Take your shoes off and step in side to take in the stillness and the intricate frescoes some of which date from the 17th century.
It’s worth stopping at the adjacent Djumaia Tea and Coffee House to take in the views (don’t miss the nearby Roman Stadium peeping out from under the pedestrian walkway) and people watch. It’s not the cheapest place in Plovdiv, but the location is possibly the best.
The Roman Theatre:
The Roman theatre of Philippopolis is remarkably intact. It’s in a magnificent elevated position on the edge of the Old Town overlooking the rest of Plovdiv. You can see much of it through the grilled fence at the top, but it is worth the entrance fee to explore the detail of the inscribed seating, stage design and statuary. It is one of the world’s best preserved Roman theatres.