Sep 11 2025

Plovdiv was amazing. We were allowed a leisurely later start again before meeting our guide Angelina. A font of energy and information. We later learned she had a PhD! 

Plovdiv claims it is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. Yes another one. 

Certainly has had its history: Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Hapsburg, Bulgarian Revival, Communist. And we were shown it all. 

First was the cobblestone streets made from blowing up one/some of the original city hills. Then into the pedestrianized old city, then up to an ancient layered wall: Thracian stones, Roman bricks and mortar, revival houses. The ground floor taxation principle appeared to be more than just a Tudor thing. 

We continued our climb finally up to the ancient citadel. Where we were given a few minutes to wander. 

Then back down through the old city walls and gate, stopping (of course) at the pharmacy, to visit the Church of the Holy Archangels, more known for its view over the city before heading to the theatre of Phillipopolous (one of the former names of the city after Phillip of Macedonia, Alexander’s father). 

We ended at the remnant of the hippodrome, incredibly preserved. Well the bit that’s not buried under the main pedestrian street. 

After a very good pizza where you pay by the size then fill it with what you want, we finally found some coffee before taking in some more Roman ruins of the forum and library. 

We then pressed on to one of the highlights: the mosaics.  First was the Bishop’s Basilica, then the incredibly presented Great Basilica and eventually the Small Basilica. 

I have _lots_ of mosaic photos. Lots! 

Continuing on we found the Roman gate and got scolded for standing somewhere we supposedly shouldn’t have been even though we were reading an information sign while standing there.  🤷‍♂️ 

Then it was back up the hill under the city wall and then into the old town to visit one of the Bulgarian Revival houses of a very wealthy merchant with wall paintings of all the exotic places he’d visited. 

Suitably worn out we randomly picked a place for dinner where it looked they they just stepped next door to the local fish shop to pick out my bream. 

Undaunted.. well close, we took the tip of last night’s driver to walk up the hill to the memorial for the Russian soldiers to watch the sunset and city lights. I mean it was ok just. 

Long but great day.