Scenery: The Ancient Plovdiv     

Date of Submission: 14/09/2004 ; Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi) ; Category: Cultural; Coordinates: 42°9' N / 24°45' E ; Ref.: 1948                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Description

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, situated on the Maritsa River. Its unique location on these ancient crossroads has stimulated strong cultural and political influences from East and West civilizations, and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, an almost contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture developed upon layers of cultures.

                 

Plovdiv is a picturesque town, with many parks and gardens, museums and archaeological monuments. Its old part, called the Old Town, with houses from the National Revival period (18-19th century), is an imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. One of the most remarkable sights of the town, the Ancient Theater (a well-preserved Roman theater), is located there and is still used for open-air performances.

                                      

High summer in Plovdiv can be stiflingly hot and relatively quiet, with many of its inhabitants leaving town for the seaside. September is when the fun kicks off again, with a string of theatre, arts and music festivals injecting extra energy into the autumnal social round. The one September event to make a date for is the Night of Museums and Galleries which transforms the city centre into a huge art-party zone. All of the city’s cultural institutions organise something special – moving from one venue to another quite literally takes all night.

You are very welcome to visit our Plovdiv in 2019 when it will be the European capital of culture.

         Scenery for talented people:     

Plovdiv was and still is the cradle where many of Bulgarian writers, poets, artists were born or lived. The unique atmosphere of this magical place   has always been the magnet for people of art. You can hardly find a big Bulgarian  name not connected to Plovdiv in some way. All of the celebrities we present here have their roots in Plovdiv.