Plovdiv will be the European Capital of Culture in 2019, and for good reason!
Despite being a great unknown, Plovdiv it is the second largest city in Bulgaria, and the oldest population in Europe. With more than six thousand years of history, Plovdiv was a Neolithic settlement four thousand years before Christ.
There also passed the Thracians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. A walk around the city makes evident the mark left by all of them and the historical and architectural value of the city.
More than enough reasons why Plovdiv has become European Capital of Culture in 2019. And so you can visit it before it becomes fashionable!
The Roman ruins appear in every corner of the city making us travel back in time
THE OLD TOWN
Cobblestone streets and 19th century buildings that will transport you to another era. Less lively than other areas of the city, but very charming.
It is perhaps also the part of the city where it is most evident the mark left by the different civilizations that have passed through Plovdiv throughout history.
During the Renaissance, the old town was where the wealthiest class lived, which is reflected in the colorful mansions that we can still see today, of a unique architectural style.
There are 150 listed houses, many of which have been converted into museums or restaurants.
Night views from the top of one of the city's hills
In the old town there is also the oldest church in the city, the church of Sveti Konstantin and Elena, built in 1578.
At one end of the neighborhood, at the top of the hill Nebet Tepet, are the ruins of an ancient fortress and some stunning views of the city, especially at sunset.
'THE TRAP'
Descending from the old town you reach the most modern part of the city, the neighborhood of Kapana, known by the locals as 'the trap' due to its winding streets.
In another time, Kapana was the neighborhood of artisans, which can be imagined by seeing the names of its streets, such as Leather or Gold Street.
Plovdiv: discover it before it becomes fashionable!
Today, Kapana is a hipster neighborhood with art galleries and coffee shops as well as being the leisure center and cultural activities from the city.
THE LONGEST PEDESTRIAN STREET IN EUROPE
Connecting with the old town we also find the street Knyaz Alxandar I. This great avenue competes with the Stroget street in Copenhagen as the longest pedestrian street in Europe.
It really is a combination of two streets that add up to 1,750 meters in total, 250 meters more than the famous Danish street.
At the end of the street is the Roman theatre and on the way cafes, bars, shops and buildings that will delight fans of the early 20th century architecture.
ROMAN RUINS
At one end of the street are the Dzhumayata Square and the ruins of roman Stadium, built in the early 2nd century.
The stadium had seat for more than 30,000 spectators and it was the place where sports games similar to those in Greece were held. A model of the monument shows that under the main avenue there are more ruins that have not been excavated.
Next to the stadium is the Dzumaya Mosque, built in the mid-15th century during the Ottoman Empire, and a clear example of the mix of cultures and history that characterize the city.
The Roman theater is still used for concerts and events
Plovdiv also hosts a Roman theatre, built between the end of the 1st century and the beginning of the 2nd century, and one of the best preserved in the world. The original construction had capacity for six thousand spectators, who came to see theatrical performances and gladiator fights.
Nowadays still used for concerts and events, such as the international folklore festival or opera and rock festivals.
Plovdiv is the ideal destination for those who want to escape the mass tourism of European capitals and large cities. Despite being a medium-sized city, It has a lot of life and plans for the day and night.
the neighborhood of kapana , for example, has become the meeting point for lovers of craft beer and live music.
One of the favorite places for beer lovers is cat and mouse _(Hristo Dyukmendzhiev, 14) _, a concept bar with more than 100 types of beer from different countries.
One of the cozy rooms at the Mouse House
The owners of the Cat and Mouse Brewery are also the responsible for the accommodation Mouse House, that continues with the creative line and the bohemian concept of the place.
Located in a quiet street, but in the epicenter of the fashionable neighborhood, this house of more than 100 years old offers several studios renovated in detail, inspired by the culture and crafts of the neighborhood. If you decide to spend the night in the city, this is the place.
Another option is to make a day trip from Sofia, just over an hour and a half by car. Or complete the plan with a visit to the impressive rila Mountains, two hours from Plovdiv.
The Rila Mountains: nature in its purest form