SIGHTS AND CULTURE
Everything worth seeing is within walking distance
Old Plovdiv is within walking distance of the apartments. Here is a short tour of the most interesting sights — from Antiquity to the Bulgarian National Revival.
1. “Philippopolis” Art Gallery
The gallery shows works by leading Bulgarian artists from the early 19th century to the present day — Tseno Todorov, Hristo Yonchev-Kriskarets, Vladimir Dimitrov-Maystora, Sirak Skitnik, Tsanko Lavrenov, Bencho Obreshkov, Darena Georgieva, Paskal Struzhev, Dimitar Buyukliyski, Dimitar Kirov, Encho Pironkov and others, as well as contemporary artists such as Valchan Petrov, Angel Pachamanov and Angel Mihaylov.
2. Church of the Holy Mother of God
A Christian sanctuary stood here as early as the 9th century; the present stone church was built in 1844. On Christmas Day 1859, Metropolitan Paisiy celebrated the festive Divine Liturgy entirely in Church Slavonic — for the first time in Plovdiv. The bell tower (1881, designed by Josef Schnitter) is a large three-storey tower with a dome. The church is decorated with murals by Nikola Kozhuharov, Dimitar Gyudzhenov, Vasil Stoilov, Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, Vasil Zahariev and others. Hristo Danov, Yoakim Gruev, Stoyan Chalakov and several Plovdiv metropolitans are buried in the churchyard.
3. Ancient Theatre
One of the main public buildings of ancient Philippopolis, it played an important role in the life of the city and of the Roman province of Thrace. Built under Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century and uncovered during excavations in 1968–1979, it lies between the Dzhambaz and Taksim hills. It is one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world and the only ancient theatre building in Bulgaria. Today it hosts performances again, seating about 5,000 spectators.
4. The Yellow School
Named after the colour of its façades, this was the first Bulgarian high school, founded in Plovdiv in 1868 on the basis of the diocesan school “Sts Cyril and Methodius” and housed in a purpose-built building by master builder Todor Damov from Bratsigovo. Today it is home to the Folklore Faculty of the Academy of Music. The poet Dimcho Debelyanov studied here.
5. Lamartine House
A museum dedicated to the life and work of the French poet and statesman Alphonse de Lamartine, in the house of Georgi Mavridi. Lamartine stayed here for three days in the summer of 1833, and the house has borne his name ever since. The Mavridi House is one of the largest and most beautiful symmetrical houses in the Old Town — built on a steep slope, with an irregular ground floor but classical symmetry on the two upper floors.
6. City Art Gallery
Housed in one of the first Bulgarian Revival-era schools — the Girls’ School, later “Sts Cyril and Methodius”, where in 1857 the work of the two enlighteners was celebrated for the first time in the country. The exhibition is arranged chronologically on two floors.
7. Zlatyu Boyadzhiev Gallery
The house of Dr Stoyan Chomakov — one of the leading fighters for an independent Bulgarian church during the Revival. Built in 1858–1860 in the Neoclassical style, it is richly decorated inside with carved “suns” and other motifs. After the Liberation it served as a residence for Prince Ferdinand. Since 1980 it has housed a permanent exhibition of the celebrated Plovdiv painter Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, whose monument stands in the courtyard.
8. Church of Sts Constantine and Helena
In late Antiquity an early Christian sanctuary stood here, dedicated to Severian and Memnos, who died for their faith together with the 38 martyrs of Plovdiv under Emperor Diocletian. Emperor Constantine and his mother Empress Helena (4th century) ended the persecution of Christians and supported the building of churches.
9. Hisar Kapia
One of the symbols of Plovdiv — a gate has stood here since ancient times. Below the cobblestones lie Roman foundations, probably from the 2nd century, while its present form comes from a medieval rebuilding in the 12th–14th century. Outside the eastern gate is a small picturesque square framed by the church walls, the façade of the Kuyumdzhiev House and the house of Dimitar Georgiadi.
10. Ethnographic Museum
One of the most remarkable Revival-era houses in Bulgaria — the home of the merchant Argir Kuyumdzhioglu, built in 1847. The 570 m² building has a main residential part and an outbuilding, and a green courtyard with a marble fountain and a well. The projecting portico and the elegant curve of its three pediments give it a characteristic Baroque silhouette. Every year the courtyard hosts the International Chamber Music Festival.
11. Nebet Tepe
Here lie the remains of the ancient Thracian town of Eumolpia — one of the earliest urban centres in South-Eastern Europe. Excavations have revealed strong fortress walls enclosing sanctuaries and an aristocratic palace. The oldest part is especially interesting — dry-stone masonry of roughly worked blocks. Rebuilt sections of the northern wall from the time of Justinian the Great (6th century) survive, including a postern — a secret vaulted exit to the southern bank of the Maritsa. The rectangular water reservoir, holding 300,000 litres, is also impressive.
12. Balabanov House
A landmark of Plovdiv’s cultural life — it hosts theatre performances, concerts, exhibitions and book launches. The magnificent building dates from the early 19th century and stands at the corner of 4th January, Dr Stoilov and Antranik streets. An inner staircase leads to a large glazed hall with a richly carved wooden ceiling, surrounded by four rooms furnished with restored antique furniture and objects.
13. Armenian Church and School
The church of Surp Kevork was originally Eastern Orthodox, dedicated to St George the Victorious. In 1149 the noble bishop Alvisus of Arras, sent by the French king Louis VII during the Second Crusade, was buried in its courtyard. In 1767 it was handed over to the Armenian diocese of Plovdiv. It is the only church here with side sections besides the central nave — one for women and one for men. Today the Armenian school bears the name of its benefactors, Victoria and Krikor Tyutyundzhiyan.