The best city hikes and walks in Plovdiv Region

Kotka I Miska is a must for me and for every craft beer lover too.

The Nebet Tepe Archaeological Complex is located on the northern hill of the Three Hills. Traces of human activity here can be traced from the Chalcolithic period (fourth millennium BC) to the present day. Dates for the earliest periods of occupation are sparse (4th–2nd millennium BC), but it is assumed that a Thracian cult center existed there at some point (12th–6th century BC). Analysis of historical sources suggests the existence of a Thracian settlement in the period 5th–4th century BC, but the expansion and flourishing of the settlement and its transformation into an urban center are linked to the campaigns of Philip II in Thrace in 351 BC. He abandoned his garrison and likely strengthened the ridge of Nebet Tepe. The fortifications of the hill and the town on the plain often changed rulers. In the 11th century BC, Philip V briefly conquered the site. In the years before the establishment of Roman rule in Thrace (mid-1st century AD), the last Thracian kings, Rhoe metalces I and Rhoe metalces II, ruled here. After the arrival of Roman troops in the city, construction began on a fortress wall that defended the entire area of the Three Hills. Over the years, these fortifications were expanded, demolished, repaired, doubled, and improved. Several important construction periods can be distinguished in the remains that have survived to this day: Thracian, Roman, Early Byzantine, Medieval, and Ottoman. The remaining Turkish name, Nebet Tepe (Watchtower), has conveyed over the centuries the importance of the hill as an observatory for traffic along the Maritsa River since ancient times, a sacred place for the Thracians, a residence, and a strategic location for military garrisons. The constant human presence contributed significantly to the destruction of most of the buildings and structures from earlier eras. Today, in addition to the fortress walls and two water reservoirs, parts of two buildings with chain-stays and fragments of street pavement have been preserved and restored. The numerous everyday and cultural objects discovered here during archaeological excavations are on display in the exhibition and archives of the Archaeological Museum.

The lanterns in this neighborhood always light up briefly when a child is born in Plovdiv

The mosque is known as the Sultan Murad Mosque, Hüdavendigar Mosque, Cuma (Friday) Mosque, and Ulu (Great) Mosque. It was built during the reign of Sultan Murad I in 1358 and was part of the Sultan Murad Hüdavendigar building complex. The complex included Kulliye, Kursunlu Khan, the Great Bedesten (Bazaar), and the Hüdavendigar Mosque. Today, only the mosque remains. With its elongated shape and size of 30 x 40 m, it is one of the largest mosques in the Balkans.

ROMAN STADIUM OF PHILIPOPPOL The Stadium of Philippoppol was built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. It is located at the northern end of the fortified city, between two fortress walls, in the natural area between the western slope of Taksim Tepe and the eastern slope of Sahat Tepe. The approximately 240-meter-long and 50-meter-wide facility can accommodate up to 30,000 spectators. Many different sports and other competitions were held on the Roman stadium's race track. Over the years, archaeological excavations, carried out in various phases and beginning in 1907-1908, have uncovered the monumental portal at the southern end and the curved part of the northern end – the sfendona. The 14 rows of seats, made of monolithic marble blocks decorated with stylized lion paws, are located beneath the buildings on both sides of today's main street. Like the spectacular buildings throughout the empire, some of the seats in the stadium bear Greek inscriptions designating the honored spectator positions. The northern curved section of the stadium (sendona) is exhibited in situ in the Roman stadium plaza. A covered vaulted passage was found beneath the amphitheater rows of seats (cavea), connecting the track to a corridor—a road excavated into the natural terrain. A hut was built over the vault. North of the corridor, a section of the Phili Poppol fortress wall was found, built in the 2nd century AD and renovated in the 3rd-4th centuries AD. In the 4th century AD, this area was crossed by an ancient aqueduct. The main entrance to the stadium consists of masonry columns decorated with marble pilasters and reliefs, and is now on display in the Regional Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv. On the pilasters are busts of Hermes (Hermai), with prize vases containing palm sprays placed above them, accompanied by Heracles' attributes – a lion's skin, a club, and a kite. In 1995, the Phili Poppol Stadium was declared a landmark of national and cultural importance. Between 2009 and 2012, the archaeological complex was renovated as part of the project BG 0041 "Ancient Stadium of Phili Poppol - Conservation, Rehabilitation, and Urban Renewal" with support from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism.

We didn't hear any music here. I'd describe it more as dancing fountains. Restaurant by the pond.

The panoramic terrace is located in the courtyard of the church of the Plovdiv Metropolis. During the day, the entrance is free, and the view, especially at sunset, is worth it.

A panoramic platform with free access, from which you can see a large part of the city