Plovdiv (Bulgarian: Пловдив) is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, with a population of 379,882. It is the administrative center of Plovdiv Province in southern Bulgaria and three municipalities (Plovdiv, Maritsa and Rodopi) and Bulgaria's Yuzhen tsentralen planning region, as well as the largest and most important city in Northern Thrace and the wider international historical region of Thrace. The city is an important economic, transport, cultural and educational center.

One of Europe's oldest cities, it was originally a Thracian settlement before becoming a major city ruled by Greeks and Romans in Antiquity. In the Middle Ages, it retained its strategic regional importance, changing hands between the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires. It came under Ottoman rule in the 14th century. In 1878, Plovdiv was made the capital of the autonomous Ottoman region of Eastern Rumelia; in 1885, it became part of Bulgaria with the unification of that region and the Principality of Bulgaria.

Plovdiv is situated in the southern part of the Plovdiv Plain on the two banks of the Maritsa River. The city has historically developed on seven syenite hills, some of which are 250 m high. Because of these seven hills, Plovdiv is often referred to in Bulgaria as "The City of the Seven Hills".

Plovdiv is host to economic and cultural events such as the International Fair Plovdiv, the international theatrical festival "A scene on a crossroad", the TV festival "The golden chest". There are many remains preserved from Antiquity such as the Ancient amphitheatre, Roman odeon, Roman Stadium, the archaeological complex Eirene and others.

Plovdiv is located on the banks of the Maritsa river, approximately 152 km (94 mi) southeast of the Bulgarian capital Sofia. The city is situated in the southern part of the Plain of Plovdiv, an alluvial plain forming the western portion of the Upper Thracian Plain. The heights of Sredna Gora rise to the northwest, to the east are the Chirpan Heights and the Rhodope mountains surround the plain from the south.[3] The city had originally developed to the south of Maritsa and it spawned across the river in the last 100 years. Modern Plovdiv covers an area of 101 km2 (39 sq mi), which is less than 0.1% of Bulgaria's total area. This makes the city is the most densely populated in the country with 3,352 inhabitants per km².

Inside the city proper 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. Traditionally the citizens have called them Dzhendem tepe, Bunardzhik, Sahat tepe, Nebet tepe, Dzhambaz tepe and Taksim tepe. The last three form the area of the Three Hills (Bulgarian: Трихълмие), a lively section of the city centre.

Plovdiv is divided into two parts - the old town Stariyat grad, which occupies the three eastern hills, and the lower town spread in the plain below. The modern town offers entertainment and vigorous sights but the old town /conveys best/ carries the atmosphere and the culture of the city

The ancient part of the three-hill town is an architectural reserve. The Ancient Plovdiv has preserved until nowadays the athmosphere of the Renaissance.

The modern town is a trade and culture centre.It is a bunch of museums, churches, banks,hotels, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, shops, bars, bazaars, music clubs, casinos etc. Here rest the ruins of a Roman stadium and remnants of the Roman forum, here could be also seen several mosques and original Turkish baths. The modern centre provides entertainment and rich cultural life. Classical concerts take place at the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra's concert hall, here in January the Winter festival of Symphony Music is held. The Opera is near the concert hall. The Mesalitinov Theater is the venue for classical drama, child shows, and modern theater. The building of the TV and the Radio, and the biggest cinemas are situated in the modern city. In the Fair Camp different international exhibitions and expoes are held all year round.


Climate

The climate is temperate with influence from the Mediterranean Sea and is typical of southeastern Europe. Summers are generally extremely hot and dry. Winters are cold, with a slight Mediterranean influence, often they're very cold with a Continental character.

Landmarks

Plovdiv is a major cultural center. The city has more than 200 archaeological sites,[41] 30 of which are of national importance. There are many remains from antiquity - Plovdiv is among the few cities with two ancient theatres; remains of the medieval walls and towers; Ottoman baths and mosques; a well-preserved old quarter from the National Revival period with beautiful houses, churches and narrow paved streets. There are numerous museums, art galleries and cultural institutions. Plovdiv is host to musical, theatrical and film events.

The city is a starting point for trips to places in the region, such as the Bachkovo Monastery at 30 km to the south, the ski-resort Pamporovo at 90 km (56 mi) to the south or the spa resorts to the north Hisarya, Banya, Krasnovo, Strelcha. There are more that 50 hotels with 7,000 beds as well as hostels and other forms of accommodation.

Notable citizens

Old Plovdiv.
Church of Saint Nedelya.Anjel Vagenstein, writer
Asen Kisimov, actor
Boris Christoff, basso
Dinko Dermendjiev, football player
Filibeli Hafız Ahmed Pasha, Ottoman Grand Vizier
George Ganchev, fencer, actor, writer, politician
Georgi Slavchev, pianist, composer
Hristo Danov, publisher
Hristo Stoichkov, football player, winner of the European Footballer of the Year award (1994)
Isaac Passy, Bulgarian philosopher
Jean Videnov, ex-prime minister of Bulgaria
Jordan Jovtchev, gymnast
Maria Petrova, three times World Champion in rhythmic gymnastics
Milcho Leviev, musician and composer
Milen Dobrev, weightlifter
Nayden Gerov, linguist, folklorer and writer
Nayden Todorov, conductor
Nikolay Buhalov, Olympic canoeing champion
Ognyana Petkova, Olympic canoeing bronze medal
Petar Stoyanov, ex-president of Bulgaria
The birthplace of Silvena Rowe, world-famous celebrity television chef and food writer
Solomon Passy, mathematician, activist and politician
Stefka Kostadinova, world record holder in the women's high jump
Tanya Gramatikova, photographic artist
Tzvetana Maneva, actress
Tsvetana Pironkova, Bulgarian number 1 tennis player and World number 40
Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, painter
Georgi Ivanov, Legednary Levski Sofia footballer
Veneta Rangelova,pop singer and music pedagog(1957)
Blagovest and Svetoslav Argirov,pop singers and composers
Stoyan Zahariev,pop singer and composer
Toma Sprostranov,radio and tv journalist


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