PLOVDIV

CONTENTSPlovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria

with a population of 381, 738

Plovidv is situated on the two banks of Maritsa river

It is one of the most ancient cities in Bulgaria

“The city of the seven hills”

The names of the city

Plovdiv nowadays

Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria with a population of 381,738. It is the administrative center of southern Bulgaria. The city is an important economic, transport, cultural and educational center. The mayor of Plovdiv is Slavcho Atanasov. The area of the city is 101.98 km2.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Plovdiv is located on the banks of the Maritsa river, 152 km south-east of the Bulgarian capital Sofia. It is situated in the Tracian lowland. Near Plovdiv are the Rhodopes (a mountain range in South-eastern Europe).

LOCATION

Plovdiv has settlement traces dating from the Neolithic, around 4000 BC. Archaeologists have discovered that in the end of the 4th millennium B.C. there already was an established settlement there. In 342 BC, it was conquered by Philip II of Macedon.

HISTORY

Later, Plovdiv was reconquered by the Thracians. In 72 AD it was included into the Roman Empire and was the capital of the province of Thrace. The city was the capital of Rumelia until 1382.

"THE CITY OF THE SEVEN HILLS"

In the city are located six syenite hills, called tepeta. In the beginning of the 20th century there used to be seven of them, but one (Markovo tepe) was destroyed for making pavement .

PLOVDIV HILL'S

The citizens have called the hills Dzhendem tepe, Bunardzhik, Sahat tepe, Nebet tepe, Dzhambaz tepe and Taksim tepe. That’s why Plovdiv is called “The City of the Seven Hills". The hills are beautiful parks.

THE NAMES OF THE CITYPlovdiv was given various names throughout its long history:Eumolpias – this is the first name of the city. It is the Thracian one.Philippoupolis – it means “the city of Philip”. Philip II of Macedon renamed it this way in his own honour.Pulpudeva - a reconstructed translation of Philipopolis. This is the second Thracian name. Trimontium – meaning “city of three hills”. This name is given by the Romans.Paldin - during the Middle Ages the city was called like this.Plavdiv – the old Bulgarian variant of “Philippoupolis”.Plovdiv – the name used nowadays.

Places to visit

Old Town covers the three-hill. Almost all historical sights of Plovdiv can be found there – churches, old residential and public buildings, archeological monuments and museums, fortress walls and narrow streets. The most impressive building is the Ancient Roman Amphitheatre. It is the best preserved building of that time in Bulgaria and was built by Emperor Mark Aurelius in 2nd c. AC.

PLOVDIV NOWADAYS

THE INTERNATIONAL FAIR PLOVDIV

International Fair Plovdiv is Bulgaria's largest and oldest international trade fair. It was established in August 1892 as an industrial and agricultural show. The modern International Fair Plovdiv is situated in a large complex (360,000 m², of which 95,000 m² exhibition area and 60,000 m² indoor). The fair has 24 multifunctional pavilions and has the largest size in Southeastern Europe.

The Archaeological Museum The Historical Museum The Regional Ethnographic Museum The Museum of Natural Science The Museum of Aviation

MUSEUMSThere also some museums in Plovdiv. You can’t feel bored even in one of them.

EDUCATION

Plovdiv has 78 schools including elementary, high, foreign language, mathematics, technical and art schools. There are also 10 private schools and a seminary. Among the most prestigious schools are: The English Language High School, Language High School Ivan Vazov , The National High School of Commerce – Plovdiv. The city has 6 universities and a number of state and private colleges and branches of other universities.

Plovdiv Stadium - 55.000 seats

Botev Stadium – 22.000 seats Lokomotiv Stadium – 11.000

seats Maritsa Stadium – 5.000

seats

SPORT

The biggest stadiums:

Plovdiv has football stadiums, tennis courts, swimming pools, rowing base with 3 km long channel and playgrounds for the children. There is a horse racing club and a horse base near the city.

Football is the most popular sport in the city. Plovdiv has four professional football teams: Botev Plovdiv, Maritsa, Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Spartak Plovdiv. Plovdiv has several volleyball and basketball teams.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!

WELCOME TO PLOVDIV