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The town of Plovdiv
Plovdiv - culture crossroads and picturesque nature
Bulgaria, situated in the south-eastern part of Europe, and in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, had been a land of many ancient civilizations and great peoples, all anxious to leave marks of their turbulent history: bronze and iron spears and arrows, stone buildings remains, messages to future generations carved on rocks and stone columns or written on parchment or leather. For centuries, the roads passing through the territory of our country have been connecting Europe to Asia and Africa. Four common European transport corridors, connecting Western and Northern Europe with the Eastern and Southern part of the continent, cross their roads right here. Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, situated on the Maritsa River. Its unique location on these ancient crossroads has stimulated strong cultural and political influences from East and West civilizations, and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, an almost contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture developed upon layers of cultures. Plovdiv is a picturesque town, with many parks and gardens, museums and archaeological monuments. Its old part, called the Old Town, with houses from the National Revival period (18-19th century), is an imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. One of the most remarkable sights of the town, the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman theatre), is located there and is still used for open-air performances.
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The house of Dimitar Georgiadi (built 1846-48), at 1 Tsanko Lavrenov Str., right next to the Hissar Kapia gate.
With its perfect planning and workout, splendour and artistic level of decorative scheme, this imposing house stands among the first-rate models of the Bulgarian National Revival Period architecture. It was once owned by the Plovdiv merchant Dimitar Georgiadi. It was ordered as a dowry present to his wife by her father, the eminent fabrics trader Georgi Kendindenoglu. The building was erected for Georgiadi in1846-8, by the famous master Hajji Georgi of Constantinople, who created many houses in the Old Town, among which the house of Koyumdzhioglu (the Ethnographic Museum). The two-flight staircase leading to the first floor is a luxurious masterpiece. Four rooms are situated around the vast entrance-hall. Each of them has an alaphranga (a popular for the time niche in the wall) and beautifully wood-carved ceilings and closets.
Want to see more sights from Plovdiv?
Church " St.St. Constantine & Helena".
The St.St. Constantine and Helena Church - named after the Roman Emperor and his mother.
The oldest Chrisian church in Plovdiv. The church was built on the very fortifying wall of the acropolis. Next to it stands the famous Hisar Kapia Gate, the six-meter-tall fortress walls dating from Yustinian's time, and the ruins of the Round Tower. The icons are precious - some painted by Zachary Zograph himself (during the Revival period) but some date back to the 14th c. Want to see more photos from the project meeting in Sofia? Go to http://www.dropshots.com/creativity
Official website of the town of Plovdiv
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The house of Dimitar Georgiadi
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