Historians refer to Plovdiv as one of the oldest towns in Europe; older than Rome, even!?
As you walk through the old town you can start to belive this as there are numberous archaelogical sites that have been excavated during attempts to build more modern architecture and their discovery has halted further building works
.
The more impressive fins, such as the Roman Amphitheatre, which can be reached from Bul Alexander I (main street), create a feeling of the time and what it was once like here. The excavations continue and there is likely to be significantly more to see in the coming months.
I really like the feel of this city. Overall Bulgaria has had little to offer (in my view) compared to Romania, but Plovdiv has restored my interest.
As you roam further into the old town, it is easy to imagine how life her progressed as a lot of the houses have recently been restored. Painted in a variety of colours, which I think is from the 19th Century Ottoman period (sorry got overwhelmed with infomation and may have got confused), no building is the same. However there are many which are merely piles of rubble too!
A clumb up the hill to the citadel is well worth it for the view of the two hills which awaits, and after that meander back to the shopping street near to the main square and there's plenty to occupy you if you want to stock up on souvenirs or just sit at a cafe and people watch
.
As I said earlier in this entry, Bulgaria seems to have less to offer than Romania, and therefore as we plan to make out way over the border on a night bus (!)... I look back at the highlights of these two countries.
Romania
Beautiful homestay in Vadu Izei - the Palenka induced card game (unluck, lucky or just too drunk?) and a variety of sights include the rather different Merry Cemetary in Sapanta.
Sighisoara - Vlad's birthplace... and far too much Palenka from Teo's (gulp!).
Sleeping in a drawer at Viscri.
The picturesque Peles Castle which I personally rate over Bran castle, despite it being closed.
Bulgaria
Veliko Tarnovo - the strange painting in the fortress and the change of pace, food and standards.
Gorno Draglishte - a local homestay with a difference.
Bansko - relaxing and a visit to the dancing bear sancturay.... moving and memorable!
Next stop Istanbul....
Oldest town in Europe and comparisons
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Other Entries
-
1Planning for Dracula's castle
Jul 2465 days priorCamberley, United Kingdomphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
2From rags to .... a suitcase - eek!
Sep 0522 days priorCamberley, United Kingdomphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
3Testing testing
Sep 0621 days priorCamberley, United Kingdomphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
4Sore feet already :)
Sep 0918 days priorBudapest, Hungaryphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 5 -
5More sights and the opera
Sep 1017 days priorBudapest, Hungaryphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 5 -
6Bulls blood
Sep 1314 days priorDebrecen, Hungaryphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 0 -
7Toasting the sights
Sep 1413 days priorVadu Izei, Romaniaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
8Transylvania ...
Sep 1512 days priorSighisoara, Romaniaphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 0 -
9Socks
Sep 1611 days priorViscri, Romaniaphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
10Another cable car and Hollywood...
Sep 1710 days priorBrasov, Romaniaphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0 -
11Bran castle... Disappointing
Sep 189 days priorBrasov, Romaniaphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 0 -
12Sinaia, Bucharest and over the border
Sep 207 days priorBucharest, Romaniaphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 0 -
13Monasteries and icons
Sep 216 days priorVeliko Tarnovo, Bulgariaphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
14Independence day
Sep 225 days priorSofia, Bulgariaphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0 -
15Another monastery
Sep 234 days priorGorno Draglishte, Bulgariaphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0 -
16Dancing bears
Sep 252 days priorBansko, Bulgariaphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 0 -
17Oldest town in Europe and comparisons
Sep 27Plovdiv, Bulgariaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
18Very touristy...
Sep 303 days laterIstanbul, Turkeyphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0
2025-02-07