Plovdiv Architecture

Built: 90 A.D.

Address:  Plovdiv, 4, Tsar Ivajlo Str.

The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis is a well-preserved Roman theatre in Plovdiv. It was discovered by archaeologists and reconstructed in the 1980s. The theatre has 28 rows of marble seats and a horseshoe-shaped orchestra surrounding the stage. It was used for various performances and had a capacity of about 6,000 spectators.

Today, it is a symbol of Plovdiv’s culture. It is used for opera, music, and drama performances, as well as the International Folklore Festival, the Opera Festival “Opera Open,” and the Rock Festival “Sounds of Ages.”

Built: early 2nd century A.D.

Address:  Plovdiv, Rimski Stadium Sq.

The ancient stadium of Philippopolis was constructed in the early 2nd century A.D. under the rule of Emperor Hadrian. It is located between the western slope of Taximtepe and the eastern slope of Sahattepe, and is considered one of the most impressive structures in the city from that period

With a length of around 240 meters and a width of 50 meters, the stadium had the capacity to hold up to 30,000 spectators. The seats of the stadium are arranged in 14 tiers, separated by stepped aisles that lead to the track. The seats are made of white marble, and some of them are ornamented with stylized lion paws.

Today, only the northern part of the stadium (the sphendone) is accessible to the public, as it was excavated in the 1970s.

Address:  Plovdiv, Shopping Center on 11 Knyaz Alexander Str.

Archaeological excavations were carried out in 2005-2006 to uncover a sector of the eastern area of the Stadium of Philippopolis. Today, this area is integrated into the basement of a modern commercial building. The displayed archaeological remains are part of the eastern auditorium sitting rows of the stadium, where the marble seats were set on a built system of inclined vaults without supporting rocks.

Like other buildings dedicated to entertainment throughout the Roman Empire, the seats of honor in the stadium of Philippopolis were marked. The inscriptions found on the marble seats and the orthostats provide evidence that the emperor’s box and seats for persons of high social status were nearby. Additionally, the discovered seat with the inscription “hymn singers” proves that seats were reserved for people worshipping the imperial cult.

Built: 4th century

Adress: 4000, Plovdiv, 2 “Knyaginya Maria Luiza”

The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis was discovered during archaeological excavations from 1982 to 1986 and fully unearthed in 2016-2017. It’s a three-nave structure with an apse to the east and a uniquely shaped narthex and atrium to the west, measuring about 83 m long and 36 m wide. It has lavish interiors with mosaic floors covering a total area of over 2000 sq.m. The mosaic floors are unique, combining different influences, local cultures, traditions, and resources.

It is one of the largest 4th-6th century basilicas in Bulgaria and one of the most representative early-Christian sites, providing priceless information about the history of early Christianity and the development of Christian art in the Balkans and Europe.

Since January 20, 2018, it has been included in the UNESCO Cultural and Natural Heritage Tentative list for the Republic of Bulgaria, as part of the Serial property “The Bishop’s Basilica and Late-Antique Mosaics of Philippopolis, Roman Province of Thrace.”

Built: second half of the 5th century A.D.

Address:  Plovdiv, 31a Knyaginya Maria Luisa Blvd.

Archaeologists discovered a small early Christian basilica during the construction of “Maria Louisa” Boulevard. The basilica is adjacent to a fortification wall with a tower from the 2nd to 4th century AD.

The basilica is made up of a central nave flanked by two aisles, one apse, and a narthex. The basilica was constructed in the second half of the 5th century AD with rich architectural decorations, including marble colonnades, a marble altar wall, and synthronos.

After the building was burnt down, it was reconstructed and renovated. The basilica functioned until the end of the 6th century AD. Two donor inscriptions were revealed during excavation works. One was carved on the lining marble slab from the altar of the basilica, while the other was shaped in the mosaic of red tesserae on a white background opposite the altar apse.

Built: prior to the 12th century

Address: 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

At the peak of Nebet Tepe, archeologists discovered the remains of the earliest known settlement on the Three Hills. This settlement gradually developed into a town during the 12th century BC. Experts have confirmed that it is the ancient Thracian town of Eumolpia, which was one of the first urban centers in Southeastern Europe. There are fortifications from various ancient periods at this site.

Address: Central Sq 1, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The Forum (agora) of ancient Philippopolis is located at the southern foothills of the Three Hills. It is an impressive architectural complex that features a large square space measuring approximately 100 by 112 meters.

The area is covered with well-polished marble plates and surrounded by an arcade with Corinthian pilasters. The columns are evenly spaced at six-meter intervals and support a broad awning that covers a traffic alley (ambulatio). Trade premises are arranged next to the alley.

The whole space is enclosed within a single imposing construction, forming a square. According to archaeological research, this is the largest complex of its kind discovered on the territory of ancient Thrace.

Address: ul. “General Gurko” 14, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The Antique Odeon and Antique Forum is the largest forum complex in Bulgaria. It was the hub of the ancient city’s administrative, economic, cultural, and religious life.

The complex is on the southern side of the central post office, with public works on the northern side. The first city Treasury of Moesia and Thrace was situated here. In the complex’s northwest corner, you’ll find the Odeon, a covered theatre building with 300-350 seats.

Among the discoveries made here are some precious marble fragments, an inscription on the base of an emperor’s statue, a gallery with preserved antique walls, original marble semi-columns, and 87 old silver coins that may have been hidden during the Gothic invasion.

Archaeologists discovered a peristyle building in ancient Philippopolis, which is now located in the center of Plovdiv under the “Archaeological” underpass. The building was found during the construction of the underpass and was a residential complex owned by a man named Desiderius. The mosaics on the floors were colorful and impressive, and indicated that the owner was not an ordinary man.

The peristyle building was situated on a whole block or “insula,” surrounded by four streets. The main representative rooms were in the eastern part of the building, surrounding the courtyard. The service buildings, where lots of broken pottery was found, were located in the southwest corner of the insula. Later on, an apse was built as part of the main entrance space of the representative area.

All of the rooms in the representative part of the house had colorful mosaic floors using the opus tessellatum technique. The central room featured a mosaic image of a woman, with the inscription “EIRHNH” beneath it, from which the building’s name was derived.

Built: 2nd century (original); 11th to the 13th century (altered)

Address: Tsanko Lavrenov street

There has been a gate since ancient times there. Below the street pavement (cobblestone) level are foundations from the Roman period (probably from the 2nd century AD). The presence of topographic continuity on the Three Hills can also be seen here.

The Hissar Gate (Hisar Kapia) underwent significant alterations during the medieval period from the 11th to the 13th century, shaping its present appearance. The outer arch displays a unique construction technique where red brick pieces surround each stone, held together with plaster. This construction style is typical of the Bulgarian mastery during the Second Bulgarian Empire.

Built: 2nd century AD

Three gates of Ancient Philippopolis are known: North, South, and East.

The East Gate is an ancient town gate. Its ruins are located at Tsar Ivan Shishman Street, Northeast of the Three Hills. The gate was crucial for the road to Byzantium and the town’s connection to the Danube limes.

A gate and an arch existed in the 2nd century AD. After the invasions of the Goths in the 3rd century AD, restoration works were carried out in the city. The old gate was abandoned, and the layout of the defense wall was changed.

The East Gate has one central and wider opening and two smaller side entrances. There is an uncovered street leading to the gate. Barracks were on both sides of the street, forming an entire complex with the East Gate. These barracks were constructed directly on the ruins of the fortifications of the 3rd century.

Built: before the 2nd century

The Romans built aqueducts to provide cities with access to fresh drinking water. Philippopolis received water from the Rhodope Mountains via two aqueducts and a clay water conduit. The Philippopolis aqueduct had two main pipelines that drew water from mountain springs and supplied approximately 480 liters per second, or 43,000 tons of water annually by the 2nd century.

The Western aqueduct of Philippopolis is a well-preserved facility that welcomes visitors approaching the city from the West. Aqueducts were expensive, and only wealthy and important cities could afford them. Only a few cities in Europe had aqueducts. Some parts of aqueducts can still be seen in Rome, and the longest and best-preserved Roman aqueduct is located in France, near the town of Nimes – the Bridge over the river Gard (Pont du Gard).

These expensive engineering structures that supplied the city of Philippopolis with water are a testament to its importance in antiquity.

Style: Revival

Built: 1834 to 1835

Address:  Plovdiv, 4, Artin Gidikov Str.

Stepan Hindliyan’s house was built between 1834 and 1835 and is one of the few houses in Plovdiv that still retains its original symmetrical design.

The house belonged to Stepan Hindliyan, a prominent merchant and founder of one of the four wealthiest families of Armenian descent. His business took him to India regularly, earning him the nickname “Hindliyan.”

The house’s yard has several farm buildings, a bathroom, and a basement. The house has an excellent artistic decoration, with elaborate lines covering the walls and the ceiling. The master builders, Moko and Mavrudi, worked for more than six months painting all rooms from the outside and the inside with pilasters, garlands, vignettes, still lives, and landscape compositions.

Built: 1863

Adress:  4000, Plovdiv; 3 Tsanko Lavrenov Str.

The house of Nikola Nedkovich, a prosperous fabric merchant from Karlovo, was built in 1863. It is one of the few houses in the historic reserve with original artifacts belonging to the primary owners. The house is a typical example of a symmetric Plovdiv house, with two floors, a high ground floor, and a beautifully designed gate.

The house’s ground floor has unique ceiling carvings and ornate murals preserved in their original state without any restoration work. The upper floor has a distinctive decoration style, with a superb collection of period furniture reflecting Western Europe’s spirit.

The inner yard of the compound has attractive architectural solutions, including an underground tunnel that connects the cellar with the street and a covered passage leading from the kitchen into the main building.

The house was restored between 1964-1969 and turned into a museum. In 2005, the house was restored again with the help of a Bulgarian-Japanese program to restore cultural monuments in The Old Town of Plovdiv (UNESCO). It is now considered an immovable cultural and historical architectural value of national significance.

Style: Early Revival

Built: 19th century

Address: 9 Dr. Stoyan Chomakov Str.

The Early-Revival reserve of houses belonging to Evdokia Bakalova and Kasandra Bayatova is located in the northernmost part of Dr. Chomakov Street, and it defines the architectural character of Nebet Tepe Hill.

Since 2012, Bakalova House has been home to a Craft Center of the Plovdiv Regional Chamber of Crafts. Visitors can observe the process of creating art fabrics, jewelry beads, art ceramics, products made from belenitsa (corn leaves), and embroidery with national patterns in the studios. The center also has a showroom where handicrafts are displayed.

Style: Neoclassical

Built: 1862 to 1865

Adress: 4000, Plovdiv; 18 Saborna Str.

Dr. Stoyan Chomakov was a prominent public figure in Bulgaria’s National Revival period, advocating for an autonomous Bulgarian Church.

The Chomakov House, built from 1862 to 1865, is a notable monument in Plovdiv’s Old Town, featuring an imposing Neoclassical exterior. Inside is a hall, a spacious hayet, four symmetrical rooms, two pantries, and a corridor leading to a bath and kitchen with a large fireplace.

After Bulgaria gained independence, Dr. Chomakov’s heirs offered the house to Tsar Ferdinand as his residence, highlighting its impressive appearance and central location in Trimontium’s architectural ensemble.

Built: second half of 19th century

Address: Plovdiv, 15 Kiril Nektariev Str.

Veren Stambolyan’s house, built in the latter half of the 19th century, is a spacious, symmetrical two-story building on the eastern slope of Dzhambaz Tepe. For several years, this building was utilized as a creative hub by the Union of Bulgarian Artists and the Society of Plovdiv Artists.

Built: 1872

Address: ul. “Saborna” 16, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The house was constructed in 1872 by Dr. Sotir Antoniadi, one of the first individuals in Plovdiv with a medical degree. The house’s ground floor had a pharmacy directly accessible from the street.

The house was large and had an asymmetrical layout. The entrance to the residential part was from a small courtyard. A narrow corridor and a double-wing staircase led to the floor where the family lived. The ceilings were plastered and richly decorated with rosettes and floral ornaments. The overall layout of the house showed a sense of modern functionality inherent to intellectuals from the National Revival period.

The former pharmacy has been converted into a museum exhibition called the Old Pharmacy “Hippocrates.” The interior decoration is reminiscent of the antique romantic style from the National Revival in Plovdiv.

Architect: Hristo Peev (reconstruction)

Built: early 19th century; 1970s (reconstructed)

Address:  4000, Plovdiv; 57 Konstantin Stoilov Str.

The Balabanov House is a beautifully symmetrical house with intricate architectural designs. Built in the early 19th century, it is pretty spacious and has a glassy saloon and four unique rooms on its upper floor, showcasing antique furniture and fabrics. Although the house was demolished in the 1930s, it was reconstructed in the 1970s by architect Hristo Peev.

Today, the ground floor has a permanent exhibition of modern Bulgarian art, while the second floor displays a Revival period interior and is a popular venue for cultural events.

Built: 1829 to 1830

Address: 19, Knyaz Tseretelev Street

Lamartin House is an exquisite symmetrical house located in Plovdiv’s Old City. The house was built between 1829 and 1830 and is known for its unique adaptation to the complex terrain. French poet Alphonse de Lamartine stayed in the house for three days in 1833 and wrote about its hospitable hosts. The house contains four symmetrical rooms of different sizes, well-glazed and richly decorated with geometric wood-carving. It also features a small museum exhibition devoted to Lamartine on the first floor.

Built: late 18th century

Address: ul. “Arhitekt Hristo Peev” 2а, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Danchov’s House is a cultural heritage site of national significance located in the Old Town. The house is an excellent example of the asymmetrical Plovdiv house, featuring beautiful wood-carved ceilings. It was built in the late 18th century and was home to the famous Bulgarian painter and photographer Georgi Danchov-Zografina after the Liberation. Danchov-Zografina was a well-known revolutionary, an associate of Vasil Levski, a Diarbekir exile, and a volunteer during the Liberation War.

The house was restored using authentic technologies in a joint project by the Chambers of Crafts in Koblenz and Plovdiv Municipality.

Built: 1816

Address: 4000, Plovdiv; 3 A Todor Samodumov Str.

The Klianti House is a two-story building in the Old Town Architectural and Historical Reserve of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It was built in 1816 and is one of the oldest surviving houses from the Bulgarian Revival period. In 1846, the house was completely rebuilt and expanded to the north, creating a covered yard. The same craftsmen who constructed The Holy Mother Assumption Church were responsible for the building’s construction.

In 1882, the western part of the house was destroyed, resulting in the creation of two separate houses. Then, in 1920, part of the southeast corner was removed. The Klianti House is an important architectural component within the reserve.

The house is renowned for its artistic decoration, concentrated on the residential floor. The wooden ceilings feature many wooden sculptures, polychrome geometric patterns, and colorful inlays dating back to 1817. The walls have richly decorated niches, cupboards, and backgammon wooden doors. Monumental compositions of vegetable ornaments also adorn the house.

Initially, the building was a residential property for Georgi Klianti and his successors. Nowadays, it is owned by the municipality.

Style: Early Revival

Built: 1849 to 1850

Address: ul. “Arhitekt Hristo Peev” 6, 4000 Staria grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Pavliti House also known as the Blue House was constructed between 1849 and 1850 and originally belonged to Georgi Pavliti (Politoglu), who hailed from Peshtera. The building is a fine example of Early Revival residential architecture with a symmetrical design. It is renowned for its unique architectural elements, such as semicircular window openings, iron shutters, arched cornices, and rich artistic decorations.

Pavliti House is considered one of the most prominent buildings in Old Plovdiv and is officially recognized as an architectural, constructional, and artistic monument of culture. It is classified as an immovable cultural property of “national significance.”

The building has served many purposes throughout the years, including acting as a representative hall for the Committee for Art and Culture. It has also been home to the “13 Centuries of Bulgaria” National Endowment Fund, the Student House, and the Municipal Foundation “Plovdiv 2019.”

Built: between 1421 and 1451; 1785 and 1818 (renovated)

Address: Jelezarska Str. № 2

The Dzhumaya Mosque is the main Muslim shrine in the center of the pedestrian zone. It was built on the site of an old church after the Ottoman army conquered the city. The current mosque, called Ulu Dzhumaya Mosque, was built during the reign of Sultan Murad II and is one of the oldest Ottoman buildings in the Balkans. It has nine domes covered with lead sheets, a diagonal square grid of red bricks on a white stucco background, and rich plant ornamentation throughout the interior. The mosque is an active Muslim temple visited by the religious community in Plovdiv.

Address: ul. “Patriarh Evtimiy”, 4000 Staria grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

A small temple’s history is linked to the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire under Ottoman rule. Legend has it that Tsar Ivan Asen II built a magnificent cathedral dedicated to St. Petka of Epivates in Plovdiv. When Lala Shahin Pasha conquered Plovdiv, he transformed the cathedral into a great mosque.

The Orthodox population built a new temple, rebuilt in 1836, with the contribution of locals and surrounding Bulgarians. It was dedicated to St. Petka of Epivates but amended to St. Martyr Paraskeva, revered by the Greeks.

The church remained closed until 1906 when it became Bulgarian again. The church’s greatest attractions are its icons, including eight icons of the iconostasis created by Zahari Zograf. The Metropolitan’s throne is another unique artifact with inlays of nacre and ivory.

Architect: Nikola Tomchev-Ustabashiyski

Built: 1851 (opened)

Address: ul. “Doctor Georgi Valkovich” 7, 4000 Staria grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The Metropolitan Church of St. Martyr Marina was constructed in 1851 by the masters from the Bratsigovo school, supervised by Nikola Tomchev-Ustabashiyski. The church is a basilica, typical of the Renaissance period, with three naves separated by two rows of columns with capitals and semicircular arches. Its dome is polyhedral in shape.

In 1858, painter Nikita Odrinchanin inscribed biblical scenes on the open colonnade-narthex located in the western part of the temple. The church’s iconostasis was removed while constructing a new and bigger temple, but it was placed again when the church was completed. The iconostasis’ left side has an icon of the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the Divine Infant, while the right has an icon of Christ the Savior. Stanislav Dospevski painted both icons in 1868.

The temple was completed in 1856 and was consecrated on May 21st, the day of St. Konstantin and Elena, by the Bishop of Plovdiv, Hrisant. The temple still preserves two old places for church singers, decorated with encrusted bones and wooden plates. Hristo Baro of Trikala made them in 1775, according to surveys.

The wooden steeple of the St. Marina church is located in the northern part of the yard, over the entrance. It was completed in 1869-1870 and was refurbished in 1953. St. Marina is the only Plovdiv temple with the most number of bells. The temple festival is celebrated on July 17th, when the Orthodox calendar honors the memory of St. Martyr Marina. The church also stores a fraction of the holy relics of Saint Martyr Marina as a sanctuary.

Architect: Petko Boz

Built: 1832 (opened)

Address: ul. “Saborna” 24, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The Church of Saints Constantine and Helena is an ancient Christian church located at the center of the old town of Plovdiv. It was built to honor the holy martyrs Severin and Memnos, who were beheaded in 304 for their Christian faith. The temple has been demolished and rebuilt several times over the centuries, with the latest rebuild by Todor Moravenov and Valko Chalakov in 1810.

The church’s unique iconostasis is made in the Baroque style, with the first row of icons painted by the famous Bulgarian painter Zahari Zograf. The church was fully painted in 1864-1866 by Stefan Andonov and Atanas Gyudzhenov of Pazardzhik.

The temple has been functioning permanently since July 2007, with a priest appointed to perform ministrations regularly.

Architect: Petko Petkov-Boz

Built: 1832 (consecrated); 1905 (dome completed)

Address: ul. “Petko R. Slaveykov” 27, 4000 Staria grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The St. Nedelya Church is a large and spacious Revival church built by chief master Petko Petkov-Boz. It is a three-nave pseudo-basilica with a three-apse altar, separated by six pairs of wooden columns. St. Nedelya was consecrated on September 19, 1832, by Plovdiv Metropolitan Nicephorus. Some architectural changes and additions were made in 1894, including the construction of a giant dome which was completed in 1905.

Built: 1829

Address: 40 P. R. Slaveykov Street

The St. Blessed Virgin Chapel was built in 1829 to serve the congregation, while the new St. Nedelya Church was under construction. It has a beautifully carved iconostasis from 1766 in excellent condition. The small temple has a single nave, a single apse, and a small narthex. The chapel is open every Wednesday for Liturgical service in front of the icon of St. Blessed Virgin.

Under the eastern chapel is a charnel measuring 5 by 5 meters and a depth of 4 meters. The north supporting wall of the temple has a marble altar from Roman times (II-IV century) with a preserved Greek inscription. The chapel is home to antiquities likely discovered during the excavation to construct the ossuary.

The main temple festival – Introduction of the Virgin Mary in the Temple, is also the Day of the Christian family and youth. The smaller festival – Shroud of the Virgin Mary, is held in the narthex in front of the large icon of the same name.

Address: 1 Todor Samodumov Street

St. Dimitar temple is the tallest Christian church in Plovdiv, located on a terrace on the north side of Dzhambaz tepe. The temple is surrounded by high stone walls with a small chapel-holy spring and a belfry designed by Josef Schnitter.

The temple has a three-nave pseudo-basilica built by Stoyu Ivanov with six pairs of stone columns, Rhodope travertine vaults, white marble slabs, and a marble iconostasis. The icons of the old church are well-preserved, including images of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.

The temple was granted for a while to the Russian colony in the city after the departure of the Greeks.

Built: 1844 to 1845

Address: 6, Saborna Street

The Holy Assumption Cathedral is a historic Bulgarian church dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Destroyed during the Ottoman invasion, it was rebuilt in the 19th century with impressive dimensions and beautiful architecture. The St. Mary church played a crucial role in the fight for independence. The church is characterized by exceptional grace due to its unique ornamentation. The church was fully restored and rebuilt in honor of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ.

Built: ca. 1355; 1835 (reconstructed)

Address: ul. “Mitropolit Paisiy”, 4000 Staria grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The Sveti Nikolay Chapel is in Plovdiv, on Taksim Tepe, near The Holy Assumption Cathedral. Built around 1355, it is a minor basilica with one apse made of unshaped stone. The chapel was restored in the nineteenth century and reconstructed in 1835 with funds from Valko Todorov Chalakov. The iconostasis dates back to 1733, and Zahari and Dimitar Zograf painted the church icons. Valko’s wife, Rada Chalakova, donated the temple icon of St. Nicholas. Valko T. Chalakov, the chief benefactor of the church, was buried there in 1841.

Address: 2, Turist Street

The Armenian Apostolic Church (Surp Kevork) is a unique church originally belonging to the Eastern Orthodox Church. In 1767, it became part of the Plovdiv Armenian Diocese. The church has undergone several renovations and features side compartments for both men and women.

The churchyard has a preserved marble sarcophagus, a well-made well, and a former school building. The south side of the yard has a three-story building of the new Armenian school and the Krasirats community center.

The church’s crypt houses an exhibition displaying ancient urns and other precious items. The church complex, the House of Culture, the school “Victoria and Krikor Tyutyunzhian,” and the Krasirats community center represent the center of religious, educational, and cultural life for Armenians in the city.

Architect: Kamen Petkov

Style: Neoclassical (facade)

Built: 1850s

Address: Blvd. “Knyaginya Maria Luiza” 3, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Saint Louis Cathedral is a significant Catholic church in Bulgaria, and until the beginning of 2006, it was the largest one in the country. The church is named after its patron saint, Louis IX.

This church was built in the 1850s and has a neoclassical facade by architect Kamen Petkov. It originally had the first organ in Bulgaria in 1861, but it was later replaced by a larger one. The church was damaged in a wildfire in 1931 and rebuilt, with a new pipe body added in 1991.

The bell tower, built in 1898, has five bells made in Bochum, Germany. The right side of the cathedral houses the tombstone of Bulgarian Princess Marie Louise, who had a strong spiritual connection with the Roman Catholic Church and was a frequent guest of the Bishop of Plovdiv.

Address: 21 Lady Strangford Str.

The Evangelical Congregational Church in Plovdiv was built at the foot of Sahat Tepe (the Clock Tower hill) and consecrated in 1901. The church is a unique cultural monument due to its beautiful Gothic architectural style and the use of ashlar masonry in its construction. The building is massive and impressive and has been recognized for its historical and architectural significance.

Built: 1892 

Address: ul. “Eliezer Kalev” 6, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The Plovdiv Synagogue was built in 1892 at the heart of the historical Jewish neighborhood called “Orta Mezar.” It is within walking distance of the modern city center and its famous marketplace. In 1996, a group of Plovdiv youths inspired by their roots and history revived the synagogue. The U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad and the Hanadiv Charitable Foundation provided funds to fully renovate the synagogue in 2003.

Built: 1444 to 1445

Address: 2, Visla Str.

The Shahbeddin Imarethane Mosque, also known as the Imaret Mosque, is near the pedestrian bridge over the Maritsa River. It was built between 1444 and 1445 by Shahbeddin Pasha, son of Lala Shahin Pasha.

The mosque has an open lobby with five pointed arches, a square central nave, and smaller lateral naves. The minaret is considered an architectural masterpiece. The mosque’s courtyard houses a tomb where Lala Shahin Pasha is buried.

The mosque got its name from the imaret that was associated with it. For more than four centuries, the imaret provided hot meals and bread to the poor, regardless of their religion.

The Street of Crafts is situated in the Old Town on Strumna Street. This street descends from the Hissar Kapia gate on the northern slope of Nebet Tepe. Several Revival houses can be found along the narrow cobbled street, where skilled masters of traditional Bulgarian crafts work. These craftsmen specialize in weaving, pottery, and woodcarving. If you visit this street, you can acquire unique souvenirs typical of the city and the old folk art.

Built: 1623 (original); 1812 (rebuilt)

Address: ul. “Bozhidar Zdravkov” 19, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria

West of Three Hills rises Sahat tepe with its famous Clock Tower. The Tower can be reached from the Roman Stadium Square in 5-6 minutes walking. The earliest record of the Tower dates back to 1623. It was built in its present appearance in 1812 and is 17.5 m high. In 1883, a new large clock, made in Vienna, was installed.

Address: ul. “Knyaz Tseretelev” 2, 4000 Staria grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The Mevlevi Hane is a Muslim dervish monastery in Plovdiv’s Old Town. It was once a Christian church, destroyed in 1410 during the Ottoman civil wars. The Mevlevi order ceased to exist in the early 20th century. The complex includes a mosque, a hall for ritual dances, and residential buildings. The interior is rich in carvings and murals that show extravagance.

Today, the building is home to the restaurant Paldin.

Want to learn about the history of Plovdiv with a guide? Book a highly-rated city tour while visiting Plovdiv!

If you are planning a trip to Plovdiv, there are plenty of excellent places to stay. However, for the best experience, we strongly recommend staying in Kapana. It’s the trendy neighborhood between the Old Town and the City Center. The charm and ambiance of the Old Town are nice, but there are far more food and drink options in Kapana – and a pedestrian tunnel connects the two together! The castle marker on the map below is the heart of the Kapana District, with the best restaurants nearby. We suggest staying as close to it as possible, depending on your budget and preferences.

The below interactive map provides hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

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Bulgaria has a rich architectural history with influences from various periods and styles. One prominent style of architecture in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Revival architecture, also known as National Revival architecture. This style emerged during the 18th and 19th centuries when Bulgaria was under Ottoman rule. Bulgarian Revival architecture is characterized by its unique combination of traditional Bulgarian elements with Ottoman and European influences.

Another notable architectural style in Bulgaria is the Neo-Baroque style, which became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This style is characterized by its grandeur, elaborate ornamentation, and symmetrical designs. Many government buildings, churches, and mansions in Sofia and other cities showcase this architectural style.

Additionally, Bulgaria has examples of Byzantine architecture, Ottoman architecture, Socialist Classicism (during the communist era), and contemporary architectural styles in modern buildings across the country.

Plovdiv boasts a rich history, with numerous ancient buildings and structures that date back centuries. Some of the most notable examples include the Roman Theater, which was built in the 2nd century AD and is still in use for performances today. Additionally, the Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis, dating back to the 2nd century AD, was utilized for athletic competitions.

Another historic gem in Plovdiv is the Klianti House, one of the oldest preserved residential buildings from the Bulgarian Revival period. Despite changing hands several times over the years, it has managed to maintain most of its original appearance.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria has several unique features that make it special. Here are some things that set Plovdiv apart:

1. Ancient History: Plovdiv is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, dating back over 8,000 years. It has been ruled by Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and Bulgarians, leaving behind a wealth of archaeological sites and historical landmarks.

2. Old Town: Plovdiv’s Old Town, known as the “Old Quarter” or “Ancient Plovdiv,” is a well-preserved architectural ensemble featuring beautiful Bulgarian Revival houses from the 19th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s past.

3. Roman Remains: Plovdiv boasts an impressive Roman amphitheater that dates back to the 2nd century AD. It is one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world and still hosts performances today. The city also has other Roman ruins, including an ancient stadium and forum.

4. Cultural Capital: Plovdiv was designated the European Capital of Culture for 2019, highlighting its vibrant arts and cultural scene. The city hosts numerous festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and events throughout the year.

No, Plovdiv was founded by the Thracians, an ancient civilization that inhabited the region. While the city has a long history of Greek influence, it was originally established by the Thracian people.