Plovdiv, Bulgaria

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Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Region: Plovdiv, Bulgaria is located in Plovdiv Province

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Geographic Coordinates: 42.150000, 24.750000

Climate: Cold winters, mild springs and autumns, and hot summers with occasional thunderstorms.

Population: 383540

Language: Bulgarian

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Plovdiv is a historic city located in southern Bulgaria, With a rich cultural heritage dating back to 4000 BC. Over the centuries, It has been home to various civilizations such as Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and Bulgarians. One of the main attractions in Plovdiv is its Old Town – a charming neighborhood with cobblestone streets lined with colorful 19th-century houses that have been converted into museums, Galleries or restaurants. The Ancient Theatre is another popular landmark here that hosts cultural events like concerts and theatrical performances.

The Kapana district is a trendy area full of bars, Cafes and shops where locals love to hang out. It’s known as ‘the trap’ because once you enter it you might never want to leave! Here you can find street art murals on every corner that add even more charm to this already picturesque area. For those interested in religious heritage sites, Plovdiv has plenty to offer too.

The Sts Cyril & Methodius National Library boasts an impressive collection of manuscripts from all over Europe dating back to the Middle Ages while also being home to some stunning frescoes painted by Bulgarian artists. If you’re looking for something more active than sightseeing or relaxing at a cafe terrace with views over Plovdiv’s hillsides then hiking trails abound around this city too! There are many paths through forests leading up mountainsides offering panoramic views across Bulgaria’s countryside.

but not least there are some amazing festivals held here throughout every year including International Folklore Festival which brings together performers from all over Europe showcasing traditional music dances costumes food drink customs games etc. Plovdiv is an incredible city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, Culture or art – or simply want to enjoy the local cuisine and nightlife – this Bulgarian gem won’t disappoint!

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1. Roman Amphitheatre – A well-preserved ancient amphitheatre built in the 2nd century AD.
2. Old Town – A charming historic district with cobbled streets, colorful houses, and traditional Bulgarian architecture.
3. Nebet Tepe – A hilltop fortress with panoramic views of Plovdiv and its surroundings.
4. Kapana Creative District – A trendy neighborhood filled with art galleries, cafes, and boutiques.
5. Dzhumaya Mosque – An Ottoman-era mosque that serves as one of the most prominent landmarks in Plovdiv.
6. Ethnographic Museum – A museum showcasing traditional Bulgarian culture and crafts.
7. Alyosha Monument – A towering statue of a Soviet soldier located on one of Plovdiv’s hillsides.
8. Bachkovo Monastery – An Eastern Orthodox monastery located just outside of Plovdiv that dates back to the 11th century.
9. Tsar Simeon’s Garden – A beautiful park in the heart of Plovdiv featuring fountains, sculptures, and walking paths.
10. Hisar Kapia Gate- A medieval gate which is now preserved as an important historical monument in the city center.

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1. Manufacturing – Plovdiv is known for its manufacturing industry, especially in the production of textiles, clothing, and shoes.
2. Information technology – There are several IT companies operating in Plovdiv that offer software development services and other related services.
3. Tourism – Plovdiv is a popular tourist destination with many historical sites and cultural attractions.
4. Agriculture – The region around Plovdiv is known for its fertile land and agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, wine, and dairy products.
5. Construction – There are many construction companies operating in Plovdiv that provide services related to building design, construction management, renovation works etc.
6. Healthcare – There are several hospitals and medical centers providing healthcare services in the city.
7. Education – Plovdiv has several universities offering courses in various fields like engineering, medicine etc., thereby contributing to the education industry of the region.

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1. The city was founded in the 4th century BC by the Thracians, making it one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
2. Plovdiv was conquered by Alexander the Great in 336 BC.
3. During Roman rule, Plovdiv was known as Philippopolis and became an important center of trade and culture.
4. In the Middle Ages, Plovdiv was ruled by various Bulgarian kingdoms and later by the Ottoman Empire.
5. In 1878, after centuries of Ottoman rule, Plovdiv became part of Bulgaria again following its liberation from Ottoman control.
6. Notable people associated with Plovdiv include Dimitar Talev (a famous Bulgarian writer), Georgi Benkovski (a revolutionary leader during the Bulgarian National Revival), and Ivan Vazov (Bulgaria’s national poet).
7. The city is also home to many historic landmarks such as the Roman Amphitheatre, Nebet Tepe fortress, and numerous museums showcasing Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage.

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1. Ancient Theater of Philippopolis is a well-preserved Roman amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century AD.
2. Plovdiv Old Town is a picturesque area with cobbled streets, colorful houses, and traditional Bulgarian architecture.
3. Regional Archaeological Museum showcases artifacts from the Thracian, Roman, and Byzantine periods in Plovdiv’s history.
4. Ethnographic Museum displays traditional Bulgarian costumes, crafts, and household items from different regions of the country.
5. Balabanov House is a restored 19th-century house showcasing the lifestyle of wealthy merchants during that time period.
6. Dzhumaya Mosque is an Ottoman-era mosque located in the heart of Plovdiv’s city center.
7. Artnewscafe Gallery & Cultural Center is an art gallery featuring contemporary Bulgarian artists and hosting cultural events such as concerts and film screenings.
8. Alyosha Monument is a Soviet-era monument honoring Soviet soldiers who fought during World War II.
9. Tsar Simeon’s Garden is a beautiful park located in central Plovdiv featuring fountains, sculptures, and walking paths.
10. The Kapana Creative District is an artistic neighborhood filled with galleries, studios cafes restaurants bars etc..

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1. PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv was founded in 1926 and is one of Bulgaria’s oldest and most successful football clubs. The team has won the Bulgarian Cup four times and has been runners-up in the Bulgarian League on multiple occasions.
2. BC Academic Plovdiv is a professional basketball team that competes in the Bulgarian National Basketball League. Established in 2014, they have been relatively successful, finishing as runners-up twice.
3. VK Maritza Plovdiv is a women’s volleyball team that was founded in 1947. They are one of Bulgaria’s most successful volleyball teams, having won multiple national championships and cups.
4. HC Dobrudzha 07 is a handball club based in Dobrich but has played some matches at Arena Asarel (Pazardzhik). The club was established on May 23, 2007.
5. FC Botev Vratsa was founded on July 28th,1951 by merging two local football clubs: Rakovski and Vratitsa. The team played its home games at Hristo Botev Stadium until it went bankrupt due to financial difficulties with debts exceeding €3 million at the end of June 2019.
6. RC Lokomotiv Sofia – Rugby Club Lokomotiv Sofia was established by former players from Levski-Spartak rugby club who wanted to continue playing rugby after Levski-Spartak stopped playing rugby due to financial problems.

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1. Plovdiv International Fair is one of the largest and oldest trade fairs in Southeast Europe, held annually in September.
2. Kapana Fest is a cultural festival held in the creative district of Kapana, featuring music, art, theatre performances and workshops.
3. Night of Museums and Galleries is an annual event where museums and galleries stay open late with free admission for visitors.
4. Opera Open is an open-air opera festival held at the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis during summer months.
5. International Folklore Festival celebrates Bulgarian folk traditions with dance performances, music concerts and craft markets.
6. Bachfest Plovdiv is a classical music festival dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach’s work with performances by local and international musicians.
7. One Dance Week brings together performers from around the world to showcase their artistry at an international contemporary dance festival.
8. Jazz Fest Plovdiv features local as well as international artists performing live jazz music over several days at a jazz festival.
9. Festival Theatre in The Street presents various theatrical acts on streets across Plovdiv at a street theatre festival.
10. Plovdiv Food Festival showcases traditional Bulgarian cuisine along with other global cuisines for visitors to enjoy at this annual culinary event – it’s every foodie’s dream come true!

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• Kapana – a trendy area with many restaurants and bars offering traditional Bulgarian cuisine, such as the restaurant Pavaj.
• Smokini – a restaurant that offers traditional Bulgarian dishes with a modern twist.
• Rahat Tepe – a restaurant located in the Old Town of Plovdiv that serves authentic Bulgarian cuisine.
• Hemingway Bar & Grill – a restaurant that offers both Bulgarian and international cuisine.
• Shtastlivitsa – a chain of restaurants known for their traditional Bulgarian dishes, including banitsa (pastry filled with cheese or spinach).
• Restaurant Philippopolis – located in the heart of Plovdiv’s Old Town, this restaurant specializes in grilled meats and seafood.
• Puldin Restaurant – another popular spot for traditional Bulgarian food, including grilled meats and fresh salads.
• The Green Hills Restaurant & Winery – A winery-restaurant complex located on the outskirts of Plovdiv which offers delicious food along with wine tasting experiences.

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1. Tsar Simeon’s Garden is the largest park in Plovdiv and boasts a lake, fountains, playgrounds, and walking paths.
2. Rowing Canal Park can be found next to the Maritsa River and offers a rowing canal, running track, cycling paths, and picnic areas.
3. Alyosha Monument provides stunning views of Plovdiv from its hilltop location. Visitors can hike up or take a cable car.
4. Hristo Botev Park has several playgrounds for children as well as walking paths and benches for relaxation.
5. Bachkovo Monastery is located just outside of Plovdiv and dates back to the 11th century with beautiful frescoes and architecture.
6. Roman Stadium remains are found in Plovdiv’s Old Town area from ancient times.
7. Kapana Creative District is known for its street art, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and shops located in Plovdiv’s Old Town area neighborhood.
8. Nebet Tepe Hill provides panoramic views of Plovdiv with an ancient fortress dating back to Thracian times on top of it.
9. City Garden Fountain Show operates during summer months (June-September), visitors can enjoy nightly fountain shows at City Garden featuring lights & music.
10. Ivan Vazov National Library Garden is a small garden behind Bulgaria’s oldest public library with benches perfect for reading or relaxing surrounded by greenery.

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