Articles from category: Plovdiv from bulgariainside.com

Sahat Tepe, Plovdiv

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:24:00 +0200

Sahat Tepe is one of the lower Plovdiv hills (46 m). Yet, its central location reveal pleasant view of Plovdiv’s main street and the old part of town. The hill is just a few steps to the west of the main street. Some houses and cobblestone streets appear in its lower part. A couple of alleys and steps continue upwards through rocks and forest. Sahat Tepe has a south and a north peak. The saddle between the two has been turned into a recreational area. In the evening, young people preferring to meet in the open air rather than in pubs and clubs gather there. A radio and television tower built in the 50s stands on the south peak. An old Ottoman clock tower still stands on the north peak. The tower was once visible from most Plovdiv parts, but is today obscured by the higher trees. The streets in the lower parts of the hill (to the north and west) are some of the...

Kapana, Plovdiv

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:29:00 +0200

Kapana neighborhood in the city of Plovdiv is quite unusual. No other similar city landscape can be seen in Bulgaria today. The magic of Kapana (this name means ‘the trap’ in Bulgarian) comes from the multitude of streets that cross at various angles. Inbetween any two streets you will see small space, barely sufficient for the construction of a house or two Buildings feature Viennese style that became very fashionable in Bulgaria in the beginning of 20th century. The ground floors of almost all buildings house little shops. Kapana’s northern part houses most of Plovdiv's bars and nightclubs. The southern part is quieter, having usual Bulgarian shops and cafés that satisfy the needs of the local residents. However, commerce in Kapana has traditions dating way back in time. The names of the streets, translating as Ironsmith's,...

Bounardzhik Hill

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:36:00 +0200

One of Plovdiv’s hills, Bounardzhik has surprisingly gained international fame. A favorite song in Russia recounts about a soviet soldier of stone standing on top of a mountain in far off Bulgaria. His name is Aliosha. In snow and rainstorms Aliosha remembers the leaden storm of the war and all fallen young men, who unlike him remain unknown. The Bulgarian mountain is Bounardzhik. Bounardzhik stands just 108 m tall and is the second highest Plovdiv hill. Even today you will see the stone figure of Aliosha standing there. It can be seen practically from any point in Plovdiv. Aliosha’s monument appeared in the 50s to commemorate the courage for all soviet soldiers that had fallen during various European battles. Aliosha is a Russian nickname used to address people named Alexei. The monument quickly gained this name, which became increasingly popular when...

Maritsa River

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:58:00 +0300

Maritsa carried various names through the ages. The river has been known as Hebur, Hebros and Evros and is the biggest on the Balkans. It originates from the Gorno Marichensko Lake in Rila Mountain. In Turkey, the river flows into the Aegean Sea. Maritsa is the second biggest and the deepest river in Bulgaria The entire length of the river is 524.6 km. It has nearly 100 major tributaries. A number of ancient books, including the writings of Aristotle and Virgil mention Maritsa. According to Bulgarian researchers, the river’s name has old Thracian origin and has been derived from a word meaning swamp, lake or big water. A major flood occurred in 1858 and the water overflowed in Plovdiv's Kariashka and Marasha districts. Several other floods occurred and in 1937, stone safety tiling was set up. For centuries Maritsa has played the role of a transport...

Plovdiv's Ancient Theater

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:59:00 +0200

The appearance of ancient theaters in the distant past was tied to rituals connected to the tribute to Dionysus. These celebrations had Thracian origin but later on became popular in Greece. Initially these honored fertility and later on turned into theater performances. Greek drama turned the theaters into really popular places. The mild climate allowed performances to take place in the open air. Construction of new theaters became a necessity. According to a theory, the ancient theater in Plovdiv was constructed during Roman times. Its architecture proves this claim. The theater is divided into three parts. Such facility was needed due to the importance of Plovdiv during the Hellenistic period. Apart from the beautiful architecture, its location was of great importance. Old Plovdiv was destroyed several times and the ancient amphitheater was hidden beneath the ground...

Plovdiv's Dzhoumaia Mosque

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:06:00 +0200

After the city of Plovdiv was conquered by Ottomans, its name changed to Filibe. The new name was derived from the ancient Filipopolis. During that period, two of the town’s churches were turned into mosques. The biggest Plovdiv mosque appeared over St. Petka church close to the Roman stadium. The new sanctuary was named Dzhoumia mosque. Architecture resembles the one of mosques in Sofia and other bigger cities. During the period, Ottomans were affected by Slavic and Byzantine art and architecture. The mosque has elongated shape. It was named after Mourad, the ruler who ordered its construction. Exact information about the years of construction is missing. According to a legend, the mosque was destroyed during leadership quarrels but was later on renovated. Massive walls are made of stone and each stone is surrounded by bricks from all sides. This is an...

Lamartine's house in Plovdiv

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:19:00 +0200

The house of Georgi Mavridi in Plovdiv, named after French poet Alphonse de Lamartine, was constructed in 1829 on the corner of three streets. Its positioning is unusual, leading to atypical architecture. Today, the house stands in the old part of town, on its very top. Some interesting stories about Lamartine’s stay there are told, though it lasted only three days. Lamartine became a poet later on life. Initially, he dealt with diplomacy. He became a student of the French academy in 1830. His views and strongly expressed political independence won Lamartine worldwide popularity. The poet traveled to distant lands in 1833 and on his way back decided to rest in present-day Istanbul. A group of tartars traveled together with Lamartine and his wife. They always examined shelters and accommodation places before the group settled there. Upon reaching Plovdiv,...

Plovdiv

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:14:00 +0200

One of the oldest cities in Europe is named Plovdiv. Historians believe that its age is similar to that of Troy and Plovdiv is older than Athens and Rome. Plovdiv is situated in the central part of Bulgaria, almost 30 km away from the foot of the Rhodope Mountains. Its location determines Plovdiv’s specific climate. The summer heat is intense and the winter is almost entirely snowless. Thracians were the first to settle in the region between the three hills. They called the city Evmolpia. In the 4th century BC, Philip of Macedonia conquered the city and built a wall around it. The name changed to Philipopolis. Thracians managed to regain the territory after the death of his son. Philipopolis was destroyed several times over the coming centuries. In the 1st century BC, Romans conquered the city. Soon after, it became the main settlement of Thrace Romana province....