Plovdiv old town, Historic quarter in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Plovdiv old town spreads across three hills with narrow cobblestone streets, historic homes, and monuments spanning multiple centuries. The area features well-preserved mansions with distinctive facades, small museums, shops, and an ancient Roman theatre that still hosts events.
Greek colonists founded the city as Philippopolis, which later became a major Roman settlement expanded under imperial rule. Through the following centuries, Byzantine, Bulgarian, and Ottoman rulers transformed the place, leaving traces in its layered architectural history.
The old quarter reflects centuries of Ottoman and Balkan heritage visible in street names and house arrangements throughout the hillside. Residents and shopkeepers use the narrow lanes daily, keeping traditional crafts and local businesses alive on the ground floors.
Walking uphill through the lanes is the main way to explore the area, as the narrow streets are designed for pedestrians. Wear comfortable shoes because the ground is uneven and some paths climb steeply.
An ancient Roman gate on the eastern edge once marked the road toward Constantinople and still stands on its original foundations today. This remnant is easy to miss among the many buildings, yet it directly links the ancient city to the modern world.
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