Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, best known after the largest fairgrounds in the Balkans, Plovdiv Fair, which hosts many important yearly events such as International Technical Fair, International Consumer Goods and Technologies Fair and specialised exhibitions AGRA, VINARIA, MEDICUS, DENTO, GALENIA, PrintCom and Foodtech.
So if Plovdiv is famous as a commercial centre, why would it be attractive for tourists?
Plovdiv is set on the banks of Maritsa River, strategically located at the crossroads of two important traffic corridors. Many nations passed Plovdiv throughout its history: Romans (they founded Trimontium), Turks and of course Bulgarians, and each of them left remarkable traces that can still be admired today.
Plovdiv's main sights include a very well preserved Roman theatre from the 2nd century, large enough to accommodate 3000 people. It is still used during Plovdiv's festivals. And then there is so called Old Town, a part of the town built at the site of the ancient Trimontium, characterised by beautifully preserved Bulgarian houses from the 19th century.
We visited Plovdiv on a day trip from Sofia. It isn't too far; a train journey takes about 2 hours. We were unlucky with the weather. It was rather gloomy, with an occasional raindrop splashing on us from dark, heavy clouds. But we still enjoyed Plovdiv very much, the stroll around the Old Town being one of the highlights.
The houses in Old Town were inspired by the baroque, but their core features remain distinctively Bulgarian. Some of them are transformed into museums, galleries and workshops.
One of the most beautiful houses in the Old Town is The Ethnographic Museum. It is a fine example of the Bulgarian Baroque architecture of the National Revival Period. It was built in 1847. The principal facade of the house faces west, giving onto a spacious and well-kept garden. We were lucky to stumble upon a group of Bulgarian ladies in traditional Bulgarian costumes, and got a glimpse of a flamboyant cultural performance, its centre point being Bulgarian masks belted with cowbells storming through the courtyard.