The Eternal City, as Rome is conventionally called, is much younger
than Plovdiv. So are Athens, Carthage and Constantinople. A contemporary
of Troy, Plovdiv is a city upon ayers of cities and an epoch upon layers
of epoch. Plovdiv is all is one: a Thracian and a classical Greek polis,
the pride of Philip II of Macedonia ( that is The Roman amphitheatre
where the old name of the town Philipopolis comes from ), the capital
of Thrace under the Roman Empire, a center of Byzantinism a stronghold
of the Bulgarians, a dream of the crusaders, one of the prettiest cities
of the Otoman Empi- re, Bulgaria?s first capital after the Liberation.
Situated on three hills in the Thracian Plain, encircled by the slow
running waters of the Maritza river, Bulgaria's second largest city
today, Plovdiv has a 24 centuries long history and is one of the ancient
crossroads between East and West. Landmarks remaining from Roman times
include the Philip- popolis Amphitheatre and the restored 2nd century
Antique Theatre. The marble-tiled Forum, the Ethnogrphic museum, the
art galleries, churches and the street of folk arts and crafts are major
landmarks of Old Plovdid. The Old Plovdiv on Trimontzium hill is famous
fot its National Revival architecture (from 18th-19th c.). Many of the
houses are now museums: the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of the National
Revival and the National Liberation struggles, the Alphonse de Lamartine
museum house.
Koprivshtitza
One of the most charming small Bulgarian towns, still preserving the
atmosphere of the National Re- vival period, is huddled in the mountain
folds 111 km east of Sofia. The town is a unique combina- tion of a
legendary history and fascinating present. No other Bulga- rian museum
town boasts such a large number of houses and mo- numents - 383 in all,
most of which have been restored to their original appearance. A unique
col- lection of ethnographical treasu- res, old weapons, National Revival
works of art, fine fretwork, house- hold weaves and embroidery, na-
tional costumes and typical Bul- garian jewelry has also been pre- served.
It was here that the first bullet of the April Uprising against the
Ottoman oppressors was fired in 1876. And it is here that you will find
the native places, now museums, of Todor Kableshkov and Georgi Benkovski,
two of the organizers and leaders of the uprising; as well as of the
poet Dimcho Debelyanov and writer Lyuben Karavelov. Koprivshtitza is
the place where one can best trace the stages of evolution in Bulgarian
National Revival architecture. The houses dated to the second half of
the 19th century have exqusite painted facades and sunny ve- randahs,
with carved ceilings and stylish European furnishings.
Veliko Turnovo
A National
Revival city Turnovo is not only a mediaeval capital, it is also a National
Revival city. For 800 years now it has towered over the Yantra river
which meanders at its feet. The houses are perched one above the other
on the steep slopes of the almost sheer banks. Situated 241 km northeast
of Sofia, the city is known for its distinct and pictures- que architecture
which creates a feeling of warmth and coziness. The typical architecture
is enhanced by the surrounding landscape. An enviable harmony with nature
has been achieved with great skill and an innate sense of beauty. The
works of the self- taught master Kolyo Ficheto are genuine masterpieces:
Hadji Nikoli Inn, the Town Hall and the St.St. Constantine and Helena
Church. The city?s museums and art galleries house many valu- able exhibits.
Gurko Street is one of the city's architectural ensembles. The Samovodene
Markets, too have been revived to life with their small workshops where
master goldsmiths, potters, carvers, weavers and pastry cooks are busy
with their craft. The old photo studio is also well worth a visit. Sights
include the churches St. Demetrius (12th c.), Holy Forty Martyrs, built
in 1230 by Tsar Ivan Assen II, and St. Peter and Paul (14th c.). Only
4 km from Veliko Turnovo is Arbanassi, a charming village with an eventful
history and fascinating architecture. Thirty six of its 80 houses and
the five local churches have been dada red national monuments of culture.
The historic reserves Etara and Bozhentsi are located nearby.
Melnik
Melnik
(pop. 800) is the smallest Bulgarian town, picturesquely situated amidst
a fantastic scenery - strangely shaped pyramids of sand and limestone.
During the 17th - 18th c. it become a flourishing tobacco and wineproducing
center, whose fame spread to many European countries. The beautiful
fortress-like houses with broad wine-cellars cut in the limestone rocks
date from this period. Worth visiting is the Rozhen Monastery (14th
c.) located 6 km east of Melnik. The monastery church (built in 1600)
is famous for its beatifully carved altar and fine murals and icons.
Museum Towns 
A National
Revival city Turnovo is not only a mediaeval capital, it is also a National
Revival city. For 800 years now it has towered over the Yantra river
which meanders at its feet. The houses are perched one above the other
on the steep slopes of the almost sheer banks. Situated 241 km northeast
of Sofia, the city is known for its distinct and pictures- que architecture
which creates a feeling of warmth and coziness. The typical architecture
is enhanced by the surrounding landscape. An enviable harmony with nature
has been achieved with great skill and an innate sense of beauty. The
works of the self- taught master Kolyo Ficheto are genuine masterpieces:
Hadji Nikoli Inn, the Town Hall and the St.St. Constantine and Helena
Church. The city?s museums and art galleries house many valu- able exhibits.
Gurko Street is one of the city's architectural ensembles. The Samovodene
Markets, too have been revived to life with their small workshops where
master goldsmiths, potters, carvers, weavers and pastry cooks are busy
with their craft. The old photo studio is also well worth a visit. Sights
include the churches St. Demetrius (12th c.), Holy Forty Martyrs, built
in 1230 by Tsar Ivan Assen II, and St. Peter and Paul (14th c.). Only
4 km from Veliko Turnovo is Arbanassi, a charming village with an eventful
history and fascinating architecture. Thirty six of its 80 houses and
the five local churches have been dada red national monuments of culture.
The historic reserves Etara and Bozhentsi are located nearby.
Melnik
(pop. 800) is the smallest Bulgarian town, picturesquely situated amidst
a fantastic scenery - strangely shaped pyramids of sand and limestone.
During the 17th - 18th c. it become a flourishing tobacco and wineproducing
center, whose fame spread to many European countries. The beautiful
fortress-like houses with broad wine-cellars cut in the limestone rocks
date from this period. Worth visiting is the Rozhen Monastery (14th
c.) located 6 km east of Melnik. The monastery church (built in 1600)
is famous for its beatifully carved altar and fine murals and icons. 