Plovdiv – Secret in Bulgaria
Plovdiv Secret
Most countries have a city that is steeped in history and is celebrated across the country for its historical sites of interest. For Bulgaria the city that is celebrated for the history it holds in Plovdiv, the second largest city in the country, yet many people outside of Bulgaria do not know anything about the city Plovdiv.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and has a population of some 450,000 people; the city is also one of the oldest in Europe and is even older than Constantinople or Rome.
Early History
Plovdiv has a history spanning over 6,000 years and is seen as one of the corner stones in the birth of European civilization.
About six thousand years ago a people came to the area in which Plovdiv is situated and created settlements, these people were the Thracians and the area became known as Thrace. The largest of the Thracian settlements was on the banks of the Maritsa River which became the city of Plovdiv we see today. The Thracians were an advanced race much like the Greeks located just south of Thrace and Plovdiv became an important place on the trade routes from east to west bringing much prosperity.
By the fourth century BC Plovdiv was taken in a battle by Philip II of Macedon (Alexander the Greats father) and he named the city after himself so Plovdiv became known as Philippopolis.
After Philip of Macedon the Romans came and took control of Plovdiv renaming the city as Trimontium. The Romans saw Plovdiv as a very important city and built a large theatre and stadium in the city. The reason why Plovdiv was so important to the Romans was because it lay on one of the crossroads of the Empire.
Plovdiv Independance
By 681 The Slavs had moved into the area and Bulgaria was formed as a country although Plovdiv was still not part of this great nation as it was situated on the border of the Byzantine Empire.
The city was taken by the Bulgarians’ under the famed Khan Krum in 812 but Plovdiv changed hands between the Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarians many times for over five hundred years.
In 1364 the Ottoman Turkish Empire battled at Plovdiv and took control of the city before moving north and taking control of the whole of Bulgaria.
It was not until 1878 that at the Battle of Plovdiv the city and country gained liberation from Ottoman Rule, or so the city thought.
A treaty called the Treaty of San Stefano was created by the leading nations of the time in which Bulgaria ended up being split into chunks with Plovdiv being in an area to be called East Rumelia and still under the control of the Ottoman Empire.
It was not until the day of Unification otherwise known as the Day of Plovdiv on the 6th September 1885 that Bulgaria became its own nation once again and Plovdiv was part of its motherland.
Plovdiv Today
Today Plovdiv still has many wonderful historical sites showing the history it has endured and enjoyed. You can walk through the centre and see Roman monuments such as an Aqueduct, Theatre and Stadium.
The Roman Theatre is actually a full 7,000 seated stadium that still has shows playing today!
Other sites include renaissance houses from the revival period, Thracian gold and tombs and so much more.
Plovdiv is one of the most amazing cities in the world, yet it is also a place that no one really knows about.
Find out more about Plovdiv at The Travelling today!
