Hills of Plovdiv

Hills of Plovdiv is a group of six hills rising across the old quarter and central neighborhoods of Plovdiv in Bulgaria. The three central elevations Nebet Tepe, Taxim Tepe, and Dzhambaz Tepe sit close together and shape the historic heart of the city, while the remaining three spread outward into the surrounding districts.

The hills supported fortified settlements since the 4th century before Christ and were later expanded by the Romans, who built baths and administrative structures here. Byzantine and Ottoman rulers reinforced the defenses and added religious buildings, some of which remain standing today.

The hills carry names from Turkish and Bulgarian origins, with Nebet Tepe meaning watchtower and Dzhambaz Tepe referring to rope dancers who once performed on its slopes. Local families still walk the connecting paths on weekends, stopping at small chapels and benches scattered among the stone walls and gardens.

Stairs and paved routes link the hills together and remain open year-round, though sturdy footwear helps during rain or in winter. Most viewpoints are freely accessible and work best for visits in the morning or late afternoon.

Youth Hill preserves traces of an Apollo sanctuary at its summit, which rises above 1000 feet (over 300 meters). Several rare plant species grow only here and were already mentioned in ancient sources.