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Plovdiv Old Town
普罗夫迪夫老城 · Plovdiv, Bulgaria
An old town where Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian National Revival layers stack on top of each other, with a Roman theatre that still hosts performances. You can stroll among colourful Revival-period houses and cobbled lanes, then climb Nebet Tepe for a view over the whole city.
Know before you go
- Talking loudly in exhibition rooms and churches
- using flash without checking first
- wearing high heels on the steep cobbled lanes
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
The city of Eumolpos
The 4th-century Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus recorded that the city was earlier called Eumolpias, after the mythical Thracian king Eumolpos. This is the oldest account of the city's name and belongs to legend; when the city was first founded is still debated.
Source: Wikipedia: Plovdiv
History
Philip II and Philippopolis
In the mid-4th century BC Philip II of Macedon conquered the area and the city was renamed Philippopolis, generally thought to be after Philip II (some say Philip V). According to the records, Philip II settled Macedonians and Thracians here.
Source: Wikipedia: Plovdiv
History
Theatre and stadium
The Roman theatre was built during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98–117) and holds roughly 5,000 to 7,000 people; it is still used for performances today. The remains of a Roman stadium, about 240 metres long, lie mostly beneath today's pedestrian street in the city centre.
Source: Wikipedia: Old Town (Plovdiv); Tours Bulgaria: Things to do in Plovdiv
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The old town stands on three hills of Plovdiv, Nebet Tepe, Dzhambaz Tepe and Taksim Tepe. It is an architectural and historic reserve and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list since 2004. Remains from the Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian National Revival periods come together here: the well-preserved Roman theatre, built under Emperor Trajan, is still in use; the Hisar Kapia gate dates from the 11th century, on foundations going back to Roman times; colourful Revival-period houses line the cobbled lanes, and the Ethnographic Museum occupies the Kuyumdzhioglu House, completed in 1847. Plovdiv is often described as one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities, and traces of settlement on Nebet Tepe go back to around 4000 BC. Known in antiquity as Philippopolis, it was one of the most important cities of the Roman province of Thrace. In 2019 Plovdiv was a European Capital of Culture.
Local customs
- Walk from the Hisar Kapia gate to the Roman theatre, threading the lanes of Revival-period houses
- visit the Ethnographic Museum in the Kuyumdzhioglu House
- climb Nebet Tepe for a panorama of the old town and the Maritsa river
- in the evening, have coffee and browse craft shops in the Kapana creative quarter.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Talking loudly in exhibition rooms and churches
- using flash without checking first
- wearing high heels on the steep cobbled lanes
Locals appreciate DO
- Keep quiet in museums and churches
- check whether flash photography is allowed before taking photos
- wear flat shoes on the steep cobbled lanes
- try to use the local pronunciation of Bulgarian place names
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Wandering the old town is free
- some museums and the interior of the Roman theatre charge admission, with prices as published officially. Summer afternoons are hot, so mornings or evenings are better for a visit. Some lanes are steep and hard for vehicles, so if you have limited mobility, please plan your route in advance.
- Trains or long-distance buses from Sofia reach Plovdiv in about two hours. The old town is best explored on foot, a walk of ten-odd minutes uphill from the central square. Spring and autumn bring soft light, ideal for strolling and photography
- in summer the theatre hosts many performances, but midday is hot
- in winter there are fewer visitors and the streets are quiet. Check official sources for opening hours.
Photos
Photos
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Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie · CC BY-SA 2.0
Nenko Lazarov · CC BY 2.5
