Ancient Rome in Bulgaria - Ulpia Serdica anthropological museum Part 4
New Thracian Gold - Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria - Archaeology
Bulgaria HiLites: Nesebar, Black Sea Coast
Nesebar, also transcribed as Nessebar or Nesebur; ancient name: Mesembria) is an ancient city and a major seaside resort on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, located in Nesebar municipality, Burgas Province. Often referred to as the Pearl of the Black Sea and Bulgaria's Dubrovnik, Nesebar is a rich city-museum defined by more than three millennia of ever-changing history.
Originally a Thracian settlement known as Menebria, the town became a Greek colony when settled by Dorians from Megara at the beginning of the 6th century BC, and was an important trading centre from then on and a rival of Apollonia (Sozopol). It remained the only Doric colony along the Black Sea coast, as the rest were typical Ionic colonies. Remains from the Hellenistic period include the acropolis, a temple of Apollo, and an agora. A wall which formed part of the fortifications can still be seen on the north side of the peninsula. Bronze and silver coins were minted in the city since the 5th century BC and gold coins since the 3rd century BC.
The town fell under Roman rule in 71 BC, yet continued to enjoy privileges such as the right to mint its own coinage. It was one of the most important strongholds of the Byzantine Empire from the 5th century AD onwards, and was fought over by Byzantines and Bulgarians, being captured and incorporated in the lands of the First Bulgarian Empire in 812 by Khan Krum after a two week siege only to be ceded back to Byzantium by Knyaz Boris I in 864 and reconquered by his son Tsar Simeon the Great. During the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire it was also contested by Bulgarian and Byzantine forces and enjoyed particular prosperity under Bulgarian tsar Ivan Alexander (1331--1371) until it was conquered by Crusaders led by Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy in 1366. The Bulgarian version of the name, Nesebar or Mesebar, has been attested since the 11th century.
Monuments from the Middle Ages include the 5--6th century Stara Mitropoliya (old bishopric; also St Sophia), a basilica without a transept; the 10th century church of the Virgin; and the 11th century Nova Mitropoliya (new bishopric; also St Stephen) which continued to be embellished until the 18th century. In the 13th and 14th century a remarkable series of churches were built: St Theodore, St Paraskeva, St Michael St Gabriel, and St John Aliturgetos.
The capture of the town by the Turks in 1453 marked the start of its decline, but its architectural heritage remained and was enriched in the 19th century by the construction of wooden houses in style typical for the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast during this period. It was a kaza centre in İslimye sanjak of Edirne Province before 1878. After the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878, Nesebar became part of the autonomous Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia as a kaza centre in Burgaz sanjak until it united with the Principality of Bulgaria in 1886.
Around the end of the 19th century Nesebar was a small town of Greek fishermen and winegrowers, but developed as a key Bulgarian seaside resort since the beginning of the 20th century. After 1925 a new town part was built and the historic Old Town was restored.
Bulgaria Travel - Nikopolis ad Istrum walkthrough
Short movie from the ruins of the ancient Roman city Nikopolis ad Istrum, located near Veliko Tarnovo city in Bulgaria.
The city was founded by Trajan around 102–106, as indicated on scene XXXIX of Trajan’s Column, in memory of his victory in the Dacian Wars over the Roxolani and also later victories in 105, and as Ulpia Nicopolis in his honour using his family name, or nomen. However, the name Nicopolis ad Haemum was used in Ptolemy's Geographia dating from before 130.
Trajan clearly intended it to become a magnificent city which is gradually being verified. The monumental character of the city however dates mainly to Hadrian and Antoninus Pius (138-161) and inscriptions found are no earlier than 136 when the name Ulpia Nicopolis ad Istrum was in use.
The city was ransacked by the Costoboci in 170-1, a tribe from today’s Western Ukraine, shortly after which the city walls were built. Many buildings were excluded from the walled area from this time.
The city prospered in the 2nd and 3rd centuries under the Severan dynasty (193-235) and grew more as a major urban centre under Emperor Diocletian's (284-305) reforms. Nicopolis issued coins bearing images of its public buildings.
In 250 near the city, emperor Decius defeated the chi under Cniva.
In 447, the town was destroyed by Attila Huns. Perhaps it was already abandoned before the early 5th century.
The new city had an area of 1/4 of the original city enclosing little more than military buildings and churches, following a very common trend for the cities of that century in the Danube area. The larger area of the extensive ruins (21.55 hectares) of the classical Nicopolis was not reoccupied. The south wall of the old city was reconstructed as the north wall of the new one. Its towers were built upon destroyed and abandoned buildings, and ornamented stone blocks from their facades were used in the new structures. The towers were about 15m in front of the 10m high wall. The outside of the wall was rendered with mortar with incised grooves imitating massive stone blocks.
A Bulgarian medieval settlement arose upon its ruins later (10th-14th century).
Nicopolis ad Istrum can be said to have been the birthplace of Germanic literary tradition. In the 4th century, the Gothic bishop, missionary and translator Ulfilas (Wulfila) obtained permission from Emperor Constantius II to immigrate with his flock of converts to Moesia and settle near Nicopolis ad Istrum in 347-8. There, he devised the Gothic alphabet and oversaw the translation of the Bible from Greek to Gothic, which was performed by a group of scholars.
Aqueduct source octagonal collection basin, Aqueduct underground source
The classical town was planned according to the orthogonal system. The network of streets, the forum surrounded by an Ionic colonnade and many buildings, a two-nave room later turned into a basilica and other public buildings have been uncovered. The rich architectures and sculptures show a similarity with those of the ancient towns in Asia Minor.
The agora contained a statue of Trajan on horseback as well as other marble statues and an Ionic colonnade. The city also had a three-nave basilica, a bouleuterion, a temple of Cybele, a small odeon, thermae (public baths) as well as a unique Roman building inscribed with termoperiatos, a heated building with shops and enclosed space for walks and business meetings. Some town houses and buildings have also been excavated.
The city was supplied by three aqueducts and had several water wells, many of which have been unearthed in archaeological excavations. The western aqueduct of 25km length had a bridge of almost 3km long and almost 20m tall carrying water over the entire valley of the Rositsa River. Its 2nd century AD water catchment reservoir is located near the town of Musina in Pavlikeni municipality, to the west of the Roman city, where it still collects water from the karst springs inside the Musina Cave. A large castellum aquae of this aqueduct stands to the west of the city.
In 2015 remains of a huge building were revealed which was probably the residence of the agoranomus or curule aedile, a public officer in charge of trade and market operations in Ancient Greek and Roman cities.
The obelisk of Quintus Julius, an aristocrat from Nicopolis, still stands to a height of 14m in the countryside near Lesicheri, about 12km west of the city.
Many finds are on display in the Veliko Tarnovo Regional Museum of History.
In 2018, archaeologists found an altar dedicated to the goddess Tyche at a small square in the southwestern corner of the Forum complex, with an inscription in Ancient Greek which is a modified epigram by Demosthenes.
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Ancient Fortress - Gabrovo, Bulgaria
Roman Fortress Above Gabrovo - dated 4th-6 Centruty AD. It was destroyed by the Huns 447 but then rebuild and finally lost forever when the Turks took over Bulgarian territories.
アキーラさん訪問①ブルガリア・ヒサリャ・考古学博物館! Archaeological museum in Hisar in Bulgaria
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Youtube別チャンネル(ジャーナリスト大川原 明)
平成28年(2016年)8月23日~31日にブルガリア政府観光庁の招待旅行(ファムトリップ)に参加しました。ブルガリアは平成24年(2012年)7月に訪問して以来2回目の訪問です。前回はソフィアだけですが、今回は、多くの都市を訪問しました。
訪問した都市は、ソフィア→プロヴディフ→シプカ峠付近→カザンラク→カルロヴォ→ヒサリャと訪問。ソフィアからブルガリア中部を周りました。政府観光庁がミニバスを手配してくれたので、それに乗り、日本に13年間住んでいたブルガリア人の日本語ガイドの方に案内してもらえました。
ブルガリアは、東ヨーロッパの共和制国家です。 バルカン半島に位置し、北にルーマニア、西にセルビア、マケドニア共和国、南にギリシャ、トルコと隣接し、東は黒海に面しています。首都はソフィアです。住民は、 スラヴ系のブルガリア人が83.9%、トルコ人が9.4%、移動型民族のロマ人が4.7%。
ブルガリアの料理は、周辺のバルカン半島諸国と類似するものが多く、ひき肉料理や煮込み料理、シレネと呼ばれるヤギの乳からつくられるチーズ、ヨーグルトなどが代表的。ヨーグルトに相当する醗酵乳食品は他の国にも存在するが、ブルガリアのヨーグルトが日本のみならず世界的に有名になっている。これはロシアの微生物学者イリヤ・メチニコフが、ヨーグルトは長寿に効果があるとしてヨーロッパ中に広めたからである。
ヒサリャ(ブルガリア語:Хисаря / Hisarya)は、ブルガリア中部の町、およびそれを中心とした基礎自治体であり、プロヴディフ州に属する。
古代ローマ後期の要塞の南門跡
要塞の東門
スレドナ・ゴラ山脈の山麗に位置し、気候は穏やかで、20を超える泉源のある温泉地で、ブルガリア国内外から多くの観光客がスパ・リゾートに訪れる。
温泉が湧き出ることにより、古代より人がこの地に居住してきた。こんにちの街の中心からは前史時代の遺物が見つかっている。後にトラキア人、そしてローマ人の街となり、この地域の主要都市のひとつとなった。歴史上、ローマ皇帝の名をとってアウグスタ、あるいはディオクレティアノポリスなどと呼ばれてきており、セプティミウス・セウェルス自身がここを訪れたことからも、古代からすでにリゾート地となっていたことが知れる。
ローマ時代の遺跡は街の至る所に残されており、公共施設や劇場、兵舎、初期キリスト教時代の聖堂の土台、そして街を取り巻く城壁の跡などがみられる。要塞の南門は、20世紀初頭に部分的な修復がされるまではアーチの中央部分が失われており、2頭のラクダが向かい合っているように見えたため、「ラクダ」と呼ばれている。
ローマ帝国の没落後、街の繁栄は失われ、この地がブルガリア領となるころには小さな要塞都市に過ぎない規模となっていた。オスマン帝国統治下でも街の没落は続き、かつて繁栄したローマ都市は、一時は大量のローマ遺跡の上に2棟の小屋が建つのみで、付近の農民が石を採取するために使われるまでに至り、多くの遺跡がこの過程で破壊された。
1878年にブルガリアがオスマン帝国支配から解放されると、ヒサリャは東ルメリ自治州の一部となり、1885年のブルガリア統一によってブルガリア領となった。その後、この地の温泉が再発見されると、再びリゾート地として街は再興された。
1945年、共産主義政権の発足にともなって、富豪らのもつ別荘が国有化され、温泉は広く大衆に解放された。1992年の民主化以降、国有化された財産の返還の課程で、こうした別荘はかつての保有者の子孫に返還されたが、そのため十分な手入れができなくなり、これらの別荘は使用できない状態となっている。
Aladzha Rock Monastery - Bulgaria
David's Been Here is touring all the top sites and must-visit attractions in and around the Bulgarian city of Varna. Located just under 20 kilometers outside the city is one of Bulgaria's most interesting national monuments and open-air museums: the Aladzha Rock Monastery. Dating back to the 10th century, this medieval monastery is cut directly into the hill's limestone rock, reaching up to 40 meters high in some places. Explore the ancient chapels and quarters of medieval monks and hermits as David walks us through this historic, archaeological gem.
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About Me:
My name is David Hoffmann and for the last decade I have been traveling around the world in search of unique culture, food and history! Since starting Davidsbeenhere in 2008, I have traveled to 71 countries and over 1,000 destinations, which I welcome you to check out on my YouTube Channel, blog and social medias.
I focus a great deal on food and historic sites, as you probably have seen! I love to experience the different flavors that each destination has to offer, whether it’s casual Street food or gourmet restaurant dining. I’m also passionate about learning the local history and culture.
Aladzha Rock Monastery - Bulgaria
Davidsbeenhere
Undiscovered Plovdiv: Bulgaria's Most Enjoyable City
Plovdiv is to Bulgaria what Krakow is to Poland: It's the historic capital and the most enjoyable city (even though the capital city — Sofia or Warsaw — is much bigger and more consequential). Plovdiv has ankle-breaker cobbles, a fun little foodie/hipster zone, and a great paseo vibe on its long pedestrian boulevard. Like cities are doing across Europe, it has artfully incorporated its archaeological sites into its modern, people-friendly layout. The layers are fun to ponder: Under the happy 2016 ambience is a stern Communist shell; an Ottoman-era mosque; and finally a racecourse where, 2,000 years ago, chariots careened around this corner. Whenever I’m here, I find myself wondering why most Americans don’t give Bulgaria a second thought. Sure, it’s got the alphabet and the religion and the Slavic blood of “Mother Russia.” But the dreams and the aspirations are facing West — a reason to encourage us to travel East.
This is Day 47 of my 100 Days in Europe series. As I research my guidebooks and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences and lessons learned in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Romania, and beyond. Find more at
Roman Baths ( Rimski Termi ) Varna - Bulgaria
The lagest Roman Bath Complex in Europe. Much of in still intact. See under the huge water heating complex with its hundreds of clay heating pipes still in situ. One could spend several hours here and still not see everything.... And don't forget to buy an orginal painting off Pencho the artist for a few lev.
тракийска гробница в свещари thracian tomb in sveshtari 3d WWW CONVERT THAT NET
The Valley of Roses and Thracian Kings
The Valley of Roses and Thracian Kings (22)
Varna - Bulgaria
As the third largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the country's most attractive towns and a popular holiday destination, Varna is known as Bulgaria's Seaside Capital and the 'Pearl of the Black Sea Coast'. The town is arranged in tiers along the curve of Varna Bay, and besides being a popular beach resort, it rivals the important cities of Sofia and Plovdiv in its wealth of museums, art galleries, historical buildings and cultural entertainment, and as such is a year-round holiday destination.
The 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an impressive landmark, while the extensive ruins of the Roman Spa in the centre of town constitutes the largest ancient building in Bulgaria, dating back to 1700. Varna is the main port for commercial and naval shipping and has a casual, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Mediterranean charm created by the sunny climate, calm sea, beach promenades and red-tiled roofs, popular with holidaymakers.
Varna is the gateway to the nearby beach resorts, including Albena and the mega-resort of Golden Sands, and numerous scenic spots along the coast are within easy reach, such as the nature reserve at Kamchia and the crumbling rock formations and dramatic cliffs along the Balchik coast.
Holiday Shopping
Shopping in Varna is focused on the massive Varna Shopping Mall, which is the largest in Bulgaria. Its 150 shops offer everything from souvenirs and beachwear to music and electronics. There are also shopping promenades located in Bul. Slivnitsa and its surrounding area.
Restaurants
Eating out in Varna includes a huge selection of informal cafes and good restaurants to choose from. You can enjoy mouth-watering seafood at the popular BM Zaliva with your toes in the sand, sample traditional Bulgarian food at the Mehana Koleloto, or try one of the 500 different wines on offer at Prodadena Nevesta.
Nightlife
Like most holiday beach destinations, this Bulgarian resort town has a number of nightclubs and bars along the sand and in the city centre, contributing to Varna's vibrant nightlife. Try the elegant Da Capo, the bustling Bordo Cafe, or the giant Comics House and Chill Out Night Club. For live music, go to the Joker's Club in the Cherno More Hotel.
Holiday Activities
Although not known for its sightseeing, Varna offers a number of museums and attractions to entertain visitors when they're not enjoying the sunny weather on the beach. The Varna Archaeological Museum has large collections of fossils and cultural artefacts, and the Bulgar Settlement of Phanagoria ethnographical village stages historical reenactments in its mock village. Varna also has a number of art galleries, theatres, and other cultural institutions. You can also make a day trip to the petrified forest a few kilometres away.
Any Negatives?
Many of the buildings in Varna are uninspired Socialist-era architecture and look slightly run-down, and the city is cut off from the beach by a large garden.
Ancient ruins and ceramic in North-West Bulgaria
This area, just like most of the country has a lot of ruins and remains of ancient dwelings, spaning from early Neolit to modern times. These particular walls I believe were part of Roman baths and are probably younger then most of the other ruins.
I found the pieces shown in this video laying in the corn and sunflower fields around and sadly many times broken by the agricultural machines. It took me no more then half an hour to gather all that. Also its rarer but there still can be found laying on the ground early iron age spear heads and other weapons, but coins and other objects of collector's interest are nearly gone after the diligent browsing with metal detercors by all kind of dark balkan subjects in the last 30 years.
I plan in some of the next days to have a better look and who knows may be find something really interesting.
ancient rome objects from BULGARIA
The Stone Forest Varna Побитите Камъни Bulgaria Parrot Anafi Footage 4k
Footage of the Stone Forest near Varna in Bulgaria made with Parrot Anafi
Trailer - Lake Of Varna , Bulgaria - 14.06.2017 - Варненско езеро - Drone Footage in 4K
Facebook: Todorov.Drone.Footage
Варненското езеро е крайбрежен лиман, който се намира във Варненска област, западно от град Варна. Свързано с Варненския залив и Белославското езеро чрез изкуствено прокопани канали.
Площ: 17 km²
Обем: 0,165 km³
Вливащи се водни потоци: Провадийска река
Отточен басейн: Черно море
アキーラさん訪問②ブルガリア・ヒサリャの公園! Park in Hisar in Bulgaria
国際ジャーナリスト&旅行ジャーナリスト 大川原 明のホームページは下記
アメブロ(憂国の士アキーラ世界1周・日本1周旅行記のブログ)は下記をクリック
Youtube別チャンネル(憂国の旅人アキーラ旅Travel Channel2)
Youtube別チャンネル(ジャーナリスト大川原 明)
平成28年(2016年)8月23日~31日にブルガリア政府観光庁の招待旅行(ファムトリップ)に参加しました。ブルガリアは平成24年(2012年)7月に訪問して以来2回目の訪問です。前回はソフィアだけですが、今回は、多くの都市を訪問しました。
訪問した都市は、ソフィア→プロヴディフ→シプカ峠付近→カザンラク→カルロヴォ→ヒサリャと訪問。ソフィアからブルガリア中部を周りました。政府観光庁がミニバスを手配してくれたので、それに乗り、日本に13年間住んでいたブルガリア人の日本語ガイドの方に案内してもらえました。
ブルガリアは、東ヨーロッパの共和制国家です。 バルカン半島に位置し、北にルーマニア、西にセルビア、マケドニア共和国、南にギリシャ、トルコと隣接し、東は黒海に面しています。首都はソフィアです。住民は、 スラヴ系のブルガリア人が83.9%、トルコ人が9.4%、移動型民族のロマ人が4.7%。
ブルガリアの料理は、周辺のバルカン半島諸国と類似するものが多く、ひき肉料理や煮込み料理、シレネと呼ばれるヤギの乳からつくられるチーズ、ヨーグルトなどが代表的。ヨーグルトに相当する醗酵乳食品は他の国にも存在するが、ブルガリアのヨーグルトが日本のみならず世界的に有名になっている。これはロシアの微生物学者イリヤ・メチニコフが、ヨーグルトは長寿に効果があるとしてヨーロッパ中に広めたからである。
ヒサリャ(ブルガリア語:Хисаря / Hisarya)は、ブルガリア中部の町、およびそれを中心とした基礎自治体であり、プロヴディフ州に属する。
古代ローマ後期の要塞の南門跡
要塞の東門
スレドナ・ゴラ山脈の山麗に位置し、気候は穏やかで、20を超える泉源のある温泉地で、ブルガリア国内外から多くの観光客がスパ・リゾートに訪れる。
温泉が湧き出ることにより、古代より人がこの地に居住してきた。こんにちの街の中心からは前史時代の遺物が見つかっている。後にトラキア人、そしてローマ人の街となり、この地域の主要都市のひとつとなった。歴史上、ローマ皇帝の名をとってアウグスタ、あるいはディオクレティアノポリスなどと呼ばれてきており、セプティミウス・セウェルス自身がここを訪れたことからも、古代からすでにリゾート地となっていたことが知れる。
ローマ時代の遺跡は街の至る所に残されており、公共施設や劇場、兵舎、初期キリスト教時代の聖堂の土台、そして街を取り巻く城壁の跡などがみられる。要塞の南門は、20世紀初頭に部分的な修復がされるまではアーチの中央部分が失われており、2頭のラクダが向かい合っているように見えたため、「ラクダ」と呼ばれている。
ローマ帝国の没落後、街の繁栄は失われ、この地がブルガリア領となるころには小さな要塞都市に過ぎない規模となっていた。オスマン帝国統治下でも街の没落は続き、かつて繁栄したローマ都市は、一時は大量のローマ遺跡の上に2棟の小屋が建つのみで、付近の農民が石を採取するために使われるまでに至り、多くの遺跡がこの過程で破壊された。
1878年にブルガリアがオスマン帝国支配から解放されると、ヒサリャは東ルメリ自治州の一部となり、1885年のブルガリア統一によってブルガリア領となった。その後、この地の温泉が再発見されると、再びリゾート地として街は再興された。
1945年、共産主義政権の発足にともなって、富豪らのもつ別荘が国有化され、温泉は広く大衆に解放された。1992年の民主化以降、国有化された財産の返還の課程で、こうした別荘はかつての保有者の子孫に返還されたが、そのため十分な手入れができなくなり、これらの別荘は使用できない状態となっている。
Ancient Roman Thermae in Varna, Bulgaria
Impressions of the ancient roman bath in the city of varna, bulgaria.
Plovdiv | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Plovdiv
00:02:42 1 Name
00:06:44 2 Geography
00:08:09 2.1 Climate
00:10:24 3 History
00:10:33 3.1 Antiquity
00:14:30 3.2 Middle Ages
00:17:42 3.3 Ottoman rule
00:18:56 3.3.1 National revival
00:22:30 3.4 Eastern Rumelia
00:24:10 3.5 Recent history
00:26:31 4 Population
00:28:01 4.1 Ethnicity and religion
00:30:28 5 City government
00:31:35 6 Districts and neighbourhoods
00:32:07 7 Main sights
00:33:04 7.1 Roman City
00:36:23 7.2 Museums and protected sites
00:38:46 7.3 Churches, mosques and temples
00:40:38 8 Culture
00:40:47 8.1 Theatre and music
00:42:08 8.2 Literature
00:43:01 8.3 Arts
00:44:09 8.4 European Capital of Culture
00:45:25 9 Economy
00:47:15 9.1 Economic Indicators
00:47:27 9.2 Industry
00:48:24 9.3 Shopping and commerce
00:50:35 10 Transport
00:53:39 11 Education
00:55:29 12 Sports and recreation
00:57:55 13 Notable citizens
01:00:48 14 International relations
01:00:58 14.1 Twin towns – Sister cities
01:01:11 15 Honour
01:01:45 16 Gallery
01:01:54 17 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
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The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
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Plovdiv (Bulgarian: Пловдив, pronounced [ˈpɫovdif]) is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, with a city population of 345,213 as of 2017 and 675,000 in the greater metropolitan area. It is an important economic, transport, cultural, and educational center. There is evidence of habitation in Plovdiv dating back to the 6th millennium BCE, when the first Neolithic settlements were established; it is said to be one of the oldest cities in Europe.During most of its recorded history, Plovdiv was known in the West by the name Philippopolis (Greek: Φιλιππούπολις; Turkish: Filibe; Philip's Town) after Philip II of Macedon conquered the city in the 4th century BCE. The city was originally a Thracian settlement and subsequently was invaded by Persians, Greeks, Celts, Romans, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Slavs, Rus people, Crusaders, and Turks. On 4 January 1878, Plovdiv was liberated from Ottoman rule by the Russian army. It remained within the borders of Bulgaria until July of the same year, when it became the capital of the autonomous Ottoman region of Eastern Rumelia. In 1885, Plovdiv and Eastern Rumelia joined Bulgaria.
Plovdiv is situated in a fertile region of south-central Bulgaria on the two banks of the Maritsa River. The city has historically developed on seven syenite hills, some of which are 250 metres (820 feet) high. Because of these hills, Plovdiv is often referred to in Bulgaria as The City of the Seven Hills.
Plovdiv is host to a huge variety of cultural events such as the International Fair Plovdiv, the international theatrical festival A stage on a crossroad, the TV festival The golden chest, and many more novel festivals, such as Night/Plovdiv in September, Kapana Fest, and Opera Open. There are many preserved ruins such as the ancient Plovdiv Roman theatre, a Roman odeon, a Roman aqueduct, the Plovdiv Roman Stadium, the archaeological complex Eirene, and others.
The oldest American educational institution outside the United States, the American College of Sofia, was founded in Plovdiv in 1860 and later moved to Sofia.
On 5 September 2014, Plovdiv was selected as the Bulgarian host of the European Capital of Culture 2019. This happened with the help of the Municipal Foundation Plovdiv 2019″, a non-government organization, which was established in 2011 by Plovdiv's City Council whose main objectives were to develop and to prepare Plovdiv's bid book for European Capital of Culture in 2019.