Plovdiv, the host city of EUROCON 2004, is one of the oldest cities not only in Europe, but in the world – even older than Rome, Athens, Constantinople, and Troy. It is located on the strategic road (Via Militaris), connecting Istanbul (Constantinople) with West Europe and has been an important defensive, economic and cultural center down the ages. Its unique location has stimulated strong political and cultural influences from East and West civilizations, while maintaining a unique cultural identity. The city is built on 7 hills - like the old Rome, but, according to the historian's records, the ancient Plovdiv was much more beautiful. The city's Old Town is preserved as an authentic 19-th century Renaissance open-air museum and features the amazing romantic architecture of that era. There are many well-preserved ancient architectural and cultural monuments. The rich cultural and historic heritage coexists in harmony with the contemporary culture of Plovdiv. A walk around the Three Hills (in the antique Roman era, between that hills was situated Trimontium - that is one of old names of Plovdiv) is like a traveling in time – from the Old Age until modern times.
At the archeological complex Nebet Tepe remains of a prehistoric settlement lie next to ruins of Hellenic and Roman fortresses.
Best preserved is Hissar Kapiya – the gateway of the fortress, which was built during the reign of the Roman emperors Trajanus (98-117) and Marcus Aurelius (169-180).
The ancient amphitheatre - the most impressive edifice of Roman time – was excavated during reinforcement works at the southern fortress wall (172). It offered almost 7 000 seats once. Nowadays, it is used for staging opera and theatre festivals, concerts, municipal celebrations, etc. The present-day downtown section of Plovdiv lies on the ruins of an enormous Roman stadium, which had a length of 180 m. and was intended for 30 000 spectators. The contests held here were similar to the Greek Olympic Games and dated back to the rule of the Roman emperor Septimus Severus (193-211).
An ancient forum was found next to today's hotel, named “Trimontium”. Clearly visible here is the difference in the building structure of the Thracian agora (square/place), made of sandstone and the Roman marbre ruins.
Magnificent Roman color mosaics are also found in Plovdiv
The oldest orthodox churches in Plovdiv are: “St. Constantine and Elena”, “St. Marina”, “St. Petka”, “St. Nedelya”, “St. Bogoroditsa” (“The Holy Virgin”). All of them are architectural monuments of great value, possessing precious iconostases, icons, frescoes, books, etc.
The beautiful houses in Old Plovdiv are dated back to the period of the Bulgarian National Revival (Renaissance). Many of them have been proclaimed for cultural monuments, revealing the genius of the Bulgarian builders.
The millennial history of Plovdiv is reflected in the architectural and historical reserve Old Plovdiv with all its cultural diversity.
The three hills, on which Old Plovdiv was build, are named Nebet Tepe, Djambaz Tepe and Texim Tepe. Another hill, Sahat Tepe, is situated southwestwards of the Three Hills and is famous for its clock tower. The fifth hill is called Bounardjik (Tepe) and, once, a huge statue of Heracles was rising at its top. The highest hill in Plovdiv (283 m.) is called Djendem Tepe. In ancient times, a sanctuary of Apollo was located there and, later, a temple, dedicated to Apollo was erected. The lowest of all hills – Markovo Tepe, nowadays, is almost razed to the ground.
Brief history of Plovdiv (part 2)
Remains of ancient, mediaeval, revival and modern culture coexist and are interwoven into the unobtrusive, irresistible and eternal beauty of this city. They do not stand in each other's way; they complement and enrich each other to make Plovdiv a synonym of Bulgarian history and a genuine world city. Plovdiv is very, very old. The Eternal City, as Rome is conventionally called, is much younger. Athens, Carthage and Constantinople came into being later. A contemporary of Troy and having survived Mycenae, Plovdiv is a city upon layers of cities and an epoch upon layers of epochs. Plovdiv is all in one: a Thracian and classical Greek polis, the pride of Philip of Macedon, the capital of Thrace under the Roman Empire, a centre of Byzantinism, a stronghold of the Bulgarians, a dream of the crusaders -- a magnificent, wealth and most important city. Kendros, Eumolpia, Philippopolis, Pulpudeva, Thrimonzium, Pulden, Populdin, Ploudin, Filibe -- those were the ancient names of Plovdiv throughout its 6000 to 8000 years of existence. The name Plovdiv first appeared in 15 century documents and has remained till today. In the distant past Plovdiv was situated on seven hills: Taxim, Nebet, Jambaz, Sahat, Jendem and Bunarjik. The seventh hill, Markovo Tepe, has nowadays subsided completely under the pavement of modern Plovdiv. In 432 B.C. the town was conquered by Philip II of Macedonia. During his rule the ancient Thracian fortress and towers were rebuilt. The vain Philip II gave the city his own name, Philippopolis. Soon it became a Thracian town again, called Pulpudeva. During the 1st century A.C. it was conquered by the Romans. The practical Romans called the town Thrimonzium (lying on three hills) because the Roman town was situated on three hills, Taxim, Nebet, and Jambaz Tepe. The Roman emperors Trayanus and Marcus Aurellius built solid fortresses around the town. They intoduced many improvements, as well as coin minting. At the time Plovdiv was known as Ulpia Thrimonzium, the most flourishing metropolis of the Thracian province.
The magnificent amphitheatre above dates back from Roman times. Now it is restored and classical drama, operas, and concerts are presented on stage in the open air... In 447 the Huns ruined the town. In the sixth century the Slavs settled in the Balkan Peninsula and introduced the names Pulden and Plundiv. In 815 Khan Kroum seized the fortress. In the following five centuries the town was ruled by Bulgarians, then conquered by Byzantium. The Bulgarian army came again later. The Crusaders demolished and plundered the town several times on their way to Mecca. 1365 was a fateful year for Plovdiv. The town fell under the Turkish yoke. Later it was renamed Filibe and became an important administrative and military center of crafts. Filibe was the seat of the ruler of the district of Rumelia. At that time the town possessed a mysterious charm and striking poverty typical of the Orient. The functioning Jumaia Mosque attracts visitors to the center of modern Plovdiv with its fine minaret and its sun-dial. The commercial area of the town was between that mosque and the river Maritza. One of the oldest clock towers in Eastern Europe is located behind Sahat Tepe. The clock is working even nowadays. As the Turkish traveller Evlya Chelebi wrote in 1651, "Philibe is the biggest one among 10 big towns in the European part of Turkey, and is getting richer every day". The 19th century brought Plovdiv closer to the rennaissance from cultural opression during the Turkish occupation. That was the time of spiritual awakening when the Bulgarian people began their struggle for religious, cultural and political independence. Many citizens of Plovdiv sacrificed their lives because they had the courage to rise against the sultan. In 1850 the well-known enlightener Naiden Gerov established a class school. In the following year the anniversary of the Slavic enlighteners Sts. Cyrillus and Methodius was celebrated for the first time. Hristo G. Danov founded the first Bulgarian publishing house in 1855. He circulated the printed books, newspapers and magazines around the Bulgarian land. The first printing press in Bulgaria appeared at that time. The Bulgarian revolutionist Vassil Levski organized a revolutionary committee in Plovdiv. The long cherished liberation came to Plovdiv on January 19, 1878, after 500 years of waiting. However, the extasy of it was short. The Berlin Congress divided newly liberated Bulgaria into the Principality of Bulgaria and the autonomous region of Eastern Rumelia with its capital Plovdiv. Just seven years later the unification of Bulgaria was proclaimed on September 6, 1885. That was the first blow agains the unfair Berlin Agreement. On September 9, 1944 the Nazi were driven off Bulgaria and the communists came on power. A very close relationship with the former USSR was established and many monuments were built in the honor of the USSR. One of them, the monument of the Russian soldier Aljosha, has remained at the top of a hill in Plovdiv. The end of communism for Bulgaria is quite recent -- November 10, 1989. Plovdiv was a place of major demonstrations of the democratic forces in the country. Some people refer to the city as "the blue (democratic) capital of Bulgaria." Museums in Plovdiv The museum of National Liberation is housed in Georgiadi House and includes a description of Britain's complicity in returning control of Eastern Rumelia, of which Plovdiv was the major city, to Turkey, following the April 1876 uprising. An Ethnographic Museum, including representations of the lifestyle of the wealthy of the time, is contained within the House of A. Koyumdjioglou, in the countryyard (?) of which chamber music is played throughout the summer. A more specific display of local wealth in this period can be seen in the Hindlian House. Many houses contain mini art galleries, including Balabanov House, where modern art shows are held, and Chomakov House, dedicated to the works of Zlatyu Boyadjiev. The House of Lamartin contains a small museum, while behind Nedkovich House there are some craft workshop. The House of Christo G. Danov, Bulgaria's first large-scale publisher, now, contains The Museum of Bulgarian Printing. Other museums and galleries in the city include The City Art Gallery, which also has branches in the Old Town, a Museum of Icons, mainly church works from XV and XVI centuries and a Gallery of Mexican Art, which includes Bulgarian work among its contemporary exhibition. Religious orthodox buildings of interest include the cathedral “St. Bogoroditsa” (“The Holy Virgin”), built in 1837, the church “St. Bogoroditsa”, in the Old Town, the church “St. Constantine and St. Elena”, the church “St. Nedelya”, and the church “St. Marina”. As might expected, Archaeological Museum documents a variety of finds from the local area and surrounding regions. The ancient ruined Nebet Tepe's citadel, with its escape tunnel to the river, is of particular value, archaeologically. Other notable features are The Hisar Kapiya (The Stone Gate) – the fortress gate, the remains of the Roman forum near the principal street (Glawnata ulitsa) and the central square and much of the Roman stadium. Classical plays are still performed, however, in the Roman theatre, which remains from the second century stronghold.
ISTORIK
At the archeological complex Nebet Tepe remains of a prehistoric settlement lie next to ruins of Hellenic and Roman fortresses.
Best preserved is Hissar Kapiya – the gateway of the fortress, which was built during the reign of the Roman emperors Trajanus (98-117) and Marcus Aurelius (169-180).
The ancient amphitheatre - the most impressive edifice of Roman time – was excavated during reinforcement works at the southern fortress wall (172). It offered almost 7 000 seats once. Nowadays, it is used for staging opera and theatre festivals, concerts, municipal celebrations, etc. The present-day downtown section of Plovdiv lies on the ruins of an enormous Roman stadium, which had a length of 180 m. and was intended for 30 000 spectators. The contests held here were similar to the Greek Olympic Games and dated back to the rule of the Roman emperor Septimus Severus (193-211).
An ancient forum was found next to today's hotel, named “Trimontium”. Clearly visible here is the difference in the building structure of the Thracian agora (square/place), made of sandstone and the Roman marbre ruins.
Magnificent Roman color mosaics are also found in Plovdiv
The oldest orthodox churches in Plovdiv are: “St. Constantine and Elena”, “St. Marina”, “St. Petka”, “St. Nedelya”, “St. Bogoroditsa” (“The Holy Virgin”). All of them are architectural monuments of great value, possessing precious iconostases, icons, frescoes, books, etc.
The beautiful houses in Old Plovdiv are dated back to the period of the Bulgarian National Revival (Renaissance). Many of them have been proclaimed for cultural monuments, revealing the genius of the Bulgarian builders.
The millennial history of Plovdiv is reflected in the architectural and historical reserve Old Plovdiv with all its cultural diversity.
The three hills, on which Old Plovdiv was build, are named Nebet Tepe, Djambaz Tepe and Texim Tepe. Another hill, Sahat Tepe, is situated southwestwards of the Three Hills and is famous for its clock tower. The fifth hill is called Bounardjik (Tepe) and, once, a huge statue of Heracles was rising at its top. The highest hill in Plovdiv (283 m.) is called Djendem Tepe. In ancient times, a sanctuary of Apollo was located there and, later, a temple, dedicated to Apollo was erected. The lowest of all hills – Markovo Tepe, nowadays, is almost razed to the ground.
Brief history of Plovdiv (part 2)
Remains of ancient, mediaeval, revival and modern culture coexist and are interwoven into the unobtrusive, irresistible and eternal beauty of this city. They do not stand in each other's way; they complement and enrich each other to make Plovdiv a synonym of Bulgarian history and a genuine world city. Plovdiv is very, very old. The Eternal City, as Rome is conventionally called, is much younger. Athens, Carthage and Constantinople came into being later. A contemporary of Troy and having survived Mycenae, Plovdiv is a city upon layers of cities and an epoch upon layers of epochs. Plovdiv is all in one: a Thracian and classical Greek polis, the pride of Philip of Macedon, the capital of Thrace under the Roman Empire, a centre of Byzantinism, a stronghold of the Bulgarians, a dream of the crusaders -- a magnificent, wealth and most important city. Kendros, Eumolpia, Philippopolis, Pulpudeva, Thrimonzium, Pulden, Populdin, Ploudin, Filibe -- those were the ancient names of Plovdiv throughout its 6000 to 8000 years of existence. The name Plovdiv first appeared in 15 century documents and has remained till today. In the distant past Plovdiv was situated on seven hills: Taxim, Nebet, Jambaz, Sahat, Jendem and Bunarjik. The seventh hill, Markovo Tepe, has nowadays subsided completely under the pavement of modern Plovdiv. In 432 B.C. the town was conquered by Philip II of Macedonia. During his rule the ancient Thracian fortress and towers were rebuilt. The vain Philip II gave the city his own name, Philippopolis. Soon it became a Thracian town again, called Pulpudeva. During the 1st century A.C. it was conquered by the Romans. The practical Romans called the town Thrimonzium (lying on three hills) because the Roman town was situated on three hills, Taxim, Nebet, and Jambaz Tepe. The Roman emperors Trayanus and Marcus Aurellius built solid fortresses around the town. They intoduced many improvements, as well as coin minting. At the time Plovdiv was known as Ulpia Thrimonzium, the most flourishing metropolis of the Thracian province.
The magnificent amphitheatre above dates back from Roman times. Now it is restored and classical drama, operas, and concerts are presented on stage in the open air... In 447 the Huns ruined the town. In the sixth century the Slavs settled in the Balkan Peninsula and introduced the names Pulden and Plundiv. In 815 Khan Kroum seized the fortress. In the following five centuries the town was ruled by Bulgarians, then conquered by Byzantium. The Bulgarian army came again later. The Crusaders demolished and plundered the town several times on their way to Mecca. 1365 was a fateful year for Plovdiv. The town fell under the Turkish yoke. Later it was renamed Filibe and became an important administrative and military center of crafts. Filibe was the seat of the ruler of the district of Rumelia. At that time the town possessed a mysterious charm and striking poverty typical of the Orient. The functioning Jumaia Mosque attracts visitors to the center of modern Plovdiv with its fine minaret and its sun-dial. The commercial area of the town was between that mosque and the river Maritza. One of the oldest clock towers in Eastern Europe is located behind Sahat Tepe. The clock is working even nowadays. As the Turkish traveller Evlya Chelebi wrote in 1651, "Philibe is the biggest one among 10 big towns in the European part of Turkey, and is getting richer every day". The 19th century brought Plovdiv closer to the rennaissance from cultural opression during the Turkish occupation. That was the time of spiritual awakening when the Bulgarian people began their struggle for religious, cultural and political independence. Many citizens of Plovdiv sacrificed their lives because they had the courage to rise against the sultan. In 1850 the well-known enlightener Naiden Gerov established a class school. In the following year the anniversary of the Slavic enlighteners Sts. Cyrillus and Methodius was celebrated for the first time. Hristo G. Danov founded the first Bulgarian publishing house in 1855. He circulated the printed books, newspapers and magazines around the Bulgarian land. The first printing press in Bulgaria appeared at that time. The Bulgarian revolutionist Vassil Levski organized a revolutionary committee in Plovdiv. The long cherished liberation came to Plovdiv on January 19, 1878, after 500 years of waiting. However, the extasy of it was short. The Berlin Congress divided newly liberated Bulgaria into the Principality of Bulgaria and the autonomous region of Eastern Rumelia with its capital Plovdiv. Just seven years later the unification of Bulgaria was proclaimed on September 6, 1885. That was the first blow agains the unfair Berlin Agreement. On September 9, 1944 the Nazi were driven off Bulgaria and the communists came on power. A very close relationship with the former USSR was established and many monuments were built in the honor of the USSR. One of them, the monument of the Russian soldier Aljosha, has remained at the top of a hill in Plovdiv. The end of communism for Bulgaria is quite recent -- November 10, 1989. Plovdiv was a place of major demonstrations of the democratic forces in the country. Some people refer to the city as "the blue (democratic) capital of Bulgaria." Museums in Plovdiv The museum of National Liberation is housed in Georgiadi House and includes a description of Britain's complicity in returning control of Eastern Rumelia, of which Plovdiv was the major city, to Turkey, following the April 1876 uprising. An Ethnographic Museum, including representations of the lifestyle of the wealthy of the time, is contained within the House of A. Koyumdjioglou, in the countryyard (?) of which chamber music is played throughout the summer. A more specific display of local wealth in this period can be seen in the Hindlian House. Many houses contain mini art galleries, including Balabanov House, where modern art shows are held, and Chomakov House, dedicated to the works of Zlatyu Boyadjiev. The House of Lamartin contains a small museum, while behind Nedkovich House there are some craft workshop. The House of Christo G. Danov, Bulgaria's first large-scale publisher, now, contains The Museum of Bulgarian Printing. Other museums and galleries in the city include The City Art Gallery, which also has branches in the Old Town, a Museum of Icons, mainly church works from XV and XVI centuries and a Gallery of Mexican Art, which includes Bulgarian work among its contemporary exhibition. Religious orthodox buildings of interest include the cathedral “St. Bogoroditsa” (“The Holy Virgin”), built in 1837, the church “St. Bogoroditsa”, in the Old Town, the church “St. Constantine and St. Elena”, the church “St. Nedelya”, and the church “St. Marina”. As might expected, Archaeological Museum documents a variety of finds from the local area and surrounding regions. The ancient ruined Nebet Tepe's citadel, with its escape tunnel to the river, is of particular value, archaeologically. Other notable features are The Hisar Kapiya (The Stone Gate) – the fortress gate, the remains of the Roman forum near the principal street (Glawnata ulitsa) and the central square and much of the Roman stadium. Classical plays are still performed, however, in the Roman theatre, which remains from the second century stronghold.
ISTORIK
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