Old Plovdiv is crisscrossed by streets running up three steep hills. Take time to stroll along the steep cobbled streets, interrupted by flights of steps and widening into tiny flower-decked squares. They contain a wealth of treasures, in particular ..

Known as the "royal residence", A Kujumdžioglu's House is a fine example of the so-called "Plovdiv Baroque" style. Built for a wealthy merchant in 1847, it is now the home of the Ethnographic Museum. Apart from the magnificent faç..

Built under the rule of emperor Trajan (98-117) the theatre was discovered unwittingly in 1972 during building site excavations. With seating capacity of 3 500, it hosts summer programmes of concerts and opera. The 28 rows of benches are set in a cla..

Stefan Hindlijan's House, hidden behind high walls, was once owned by Armenian merchants. Today, it is generally considered as the finest house in Plovdiv. Its particularly harmonious façade (white friezes against a pale-blue background) is preceded ..

A small garden and a charming gallery with walls covered with frescoes precede the church of St-Constantine-and-St-Helena. Built in 1832 by the architecte Petko Boz, it features an elegant tower with ornamental apertures. The decoration of the three-..

Tsar-Simeon's Gardens were designed in 1892 by a Swiss landscape gardener, Lucien Chevalas, as the setting of an international architecture exhibition. Today, the well-looked-after park includes alleyways shaded by ancient trees, flowerbeds, sculptur..

You are here on the town centre's main street, between the Sahat tepe hill and the three hills on which Old Plovdiv is situated. Lined with neo-Baroque buildings, this pedestrian shopping street draws the crowds. In fine weather, people gathering aro..

The remains of this stadium built under Marcus Aurelius (161-180) stand in the centre of Dzumaja Square. Most of this huge structure (190m long, 30m wide), which could accommodate 30 000 spectators, is alas buried under later buildings, preventing it..

St-Marina's Church looks quite attractive with its gallery painted in the alafranga style and its vaulting decorated with paintings. Built in 1835-36 by the architect Nikola Ustabašijski, it features three naves, a dome and a six-storey wooden tower ..

Džumaja Square illustrates Plovdiv's 2 000-year-old history. The remains of the Roman arena recall the city of Trimontium. Built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180), this huge coliseum (190m long, 30m wide) is unfortunately mostly located b..

Located on Dzumaja Square in the lower town of Plovdiv, this venerable mosque (undergoing restoration) recalls the city’s Turkish history. With its walls in a harmonious blend of brick and stone, horseshoe vaulting and fine minaret, this large 14C-..

This house, built in 1865 by Hadži Aleko Cvetkov is one of the oldest examples of the Plovdiv National Awakening style. It is on Unesco's World Heritage list. Restored in 2003, the residence now houses a permanent collection of contemporary painting...

Alphonse de Lamartine spent a few days in this superb residence in 1833, on his way back from his famous journey to the East. The two-storey house, erected in 1829-30, rests on a stone base. Each floor comprises a central drawing room surrounded by s..

Old Plovdiv offers up many surprises. This church perched atop a rocky outcrop (hence its detached bell tower) is one of the iconic views of the city. Affectinately known as the “old church” by the locals, this 1830 building has a fine wooden ceiling..

Zora Street, which is in fact a narrow flight of steps, leads up Džambaz tepe, "Acrobats' Hill", climbing a steep rocky slope on the way. It is lined with several interesting buildings, including "Mrazlijata" School, dating from t..

The municipal Fine Arts Museum is housed in a 19C neo-classical building. Beyond the garden dotted with contemporary sculptures, stands the museum which presents a fairly comprehensive panorama of modern and contemporary Bulgarian painting. Among art..

Erected between 1858 and 1860, Dr Stojan Comakov's residence is typical of the latter period of the National Awakening style. It houses a museum dedicated to an interesting 20C Bulgarian artist: Zlatju Bojadžiev (1903-76). The 76 paintings exhibited ..

Situated at the intersection of Stoilov and Vitoša streets, Cohadžiev's House (Cohadžieva kašta) is a fine residence painted in white and blue. It is now the headquarters of the "Old Plovdiv Society".

Kiril-Nektariev Street is lined with a fine group of houses in the National Awakening style. At that time, a great many shop assitants, delivery men, buyers and sellers crowded the narrow streets which are now silent. All that remains from that perio..

Balabanov House, also known as Hadži Lampša's house, dates from the early 19C. It boasts a remarkable façade and a fine interior decoration.The upper floor comprises fine apartments, restored to their original state in 1979. Furnished in western styl..