Plovdiv offers an exceptional opportunity to take part in an amazing culinary journey. The city is a popular destination and an excellent starting place for exceptional trips that centre around wine and genuine cuisine. Food enthusiasts seeking gastronomic adventures will relish the fusion of exquisite wines, amiable residents, and the relaxed ambiance of wine bars and wine tasting venues in Kapana Creative District, the Old Town, and other central areas in Plovdiv.

 

The city also hosts Wine Production Vinaria events and the Wine and Gourment Festival during the month of May and the Young Wine Festival during November. If you are a lover of wine, then this is a good reason to visit Plovdiv.(Europe’s Best Destinations n.d)

Source:https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/387450374178304104/  Wine festival, Plovdiv

 

ANCIENT THEATRE OF PLOVDIV

The ancient Theatre is very well preserved and is the main destination for every Tourist, the ancient city was build during the reign of Marcus Ulpius Trajan, who ruled Rome from 98 to 117 AD and it was found by the Plovdiv archaeologists during the digs from 1968 to 1979. The theatre in Philipopol is the only old building in Bulgaria that has been kept in good shape and the building has been changed to fit Plovdiv's modern culture life, and it now holds performances for up to 3,500 people. The theatre offers different events that are held during the year, some are related to arts, festivals, acting, literature and many more, technically you enjoy diversity and embrace the culture of Bulgaria. (Plovdiv, 2022)

When you visit the Ancient Theare, you should not worry about your stay; the Ancient Theatre offers close hotels for its visitors and easy booking options through their website, which is very helpful, you can book your tickets for the theatre and the hotel from their website.

Source: https://www.visitplovdiv.com/en/node/522 Ancient Theatre of Plovdiv

 

Source: https://alchetron.com/Plovdiv-Roman-Stadium

Source: https://alchetron.com/Plovdiv-Roman-Stadium

 

ROMAN STADIUM

History says that when the Stadium was build in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, they held games that were simialr to the Pythian Games in Greece. The games were held to honor the visit of the Emperor and they coined the images of the reigning emperor during that time and they coined the different type of events that took place. There were two age groups in which the athletes competed, boys and men. The games were overseen by agogothetes, the event planners. The latter began with a criers' and buglers' competition. Poetry, art, and music competitions were typically held in conjunction with sporting events. There are 14 rows of tiers for spectator seating, with stepping aisles leading down to the track between them.

Stylized lion paws adorn the front portions of the chairs, which are constructed from solid marble slabs.(Plovdiv, 2022)

Even today, the stadium may be found beneath the major pedestrianised street in the middle of Plovdiv. Some of it is still visible in the basements of numerous stores, but the majority is still hidden beneath the structures along the main street

You can view the sphendone, which is the northernmost point of the stadium, from Dzhumayata Square thanks to partial restoration.

You can start from there, and then descend below ground to the original historic town level, where you may explore a portion of the track and observe the semicircular benches and panoramic wall, which includes a hypothetical restoration. Just a short distance from the neighbouring Ancient Forum and Amphitheatre, the Plovdiv Roman Stadium is a must-see excursion through the footsteps of the Romans. (History Hit, n.d). Also, they play 3D Movies that show Plovdiv in the 2nd Century AD which is kind a cool, especially if you love history and for children aged up to 7 is free!

THE HILLS OF PLOVDIV

There are three Hills that are quite a popular tourist destination, which you should not miss if you are planning to visit Plovdiv.

We have the Danov Hill, which is very popular, it’s the city centre that is situated at an altitude of 227 metres above sea level. The natural monument "Danov Hill" is situated 60–70 metres west of the major pedestrian street "Knyaz Alexander I" in Plovdiv's most urbanised area. People in Plovdiv refer to "Danov Hill" more commonly by its former name, Sahat (clock) hill, as a result of the centuries-old clock tower that stands there (FreePlovdivTour, 2023). Not many people are aware that he was also known as "Vasil Kolarov" for a while. The beginnings of what is now known as "Danov Hill" dates back to 1905, mostly as a result of the 1881 attempt to convert the land into a forest by the mayor of the city, Hristo Danov. The hill was a barren hill with two peaks overlooking the city until the end of the 19th century, and it was not a well-liked spot for relaxation. When Nikola Klisuretsa was appointed guard and gardener on the hill in 1910, more substantial "gardening" work started. These days, Danov Hill serves as a public park, a protected area that protects biodiversity and the hill's distinctive landscape, and a cultural and historical landmark (a monument of park and garden art). The hill has become a major symbol of Plovdiv and a landmark. Important plant and animal species are also protected, such as endemic species found in the Balkans, species listed in Bulgaria's Red Book, and uncommon plants found in the nation.(Visit Plovdiv, n,d)

Source: https://www.westend61.de/en/photo/RHPLF13931/aerial-view-by-drone-of-danov- hill-with-16th-century-minaret-style-clock-tower-plovdiv-bulgaria-europe

Then you can also visit the Youth Hill which is also called Dzhendem Tepe with an altitude of 285.5 meters above sea level. The lower section of the hill is a component of the city's green infrastructure and is used as a public park. The Youth Hill, which is closest to the city core, is the biggest, tallest, and least affected by human activity. The hill and the park area below it were declared natural monuments in 1995 by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. This action was taken in order to preserve the unique geomorphological features that can be seen here, the unique landscape, and the rare and endangered animal and plant species. Additionally, there is the known as "Children's railway," which is a fun activity for kids as well as adults. Since the Aqueduct of Philipopol is close to Dzhendem Tepe, we strongly advise you to visit it while you are in the neighbourhood. This magnificent structure depicts the layout of the Roman water delivery system throughout the second and third centuries. There are tennis courts on the hill for you sports fans.( Dzhendem tepe, 2023)

Source: https://bulgariawinetours.com/the-legend-of-the-seven-hills-of-plovdiv/

The next one on the list should be The Hill of the Liberation also know as Bunardzhika. Same as the rest it has a high altitude of 265 m above sea leavel with a great location in the central part of Plovdiv. In its capacity as a public park, the hill's area is a part of the city's green system. The hill stood beyond the city limits until the late 1800s. Based on the historical records, the hill was not afforested. In response to the City Council's decision to give the hills more attention, the first planting of the empty patches of Bunardzhik Hill occurred on August 25, 1881, or 6 September. The 1930s saw the start of the building of walks with rails and stone stairs that were top-paved with smaller stones. The restaurant above them, the cement slide, and the colonnades and arches of the waterfalls were constructed at that time. Along with the intention of building a monument honouring the Soviet army, which was completed in 1956–1957, its construction was restarted in the 1950s. Around that period, a basketball court was added to the summer theatre, "Kocho Tsvetarov" Stadium. Many walkways and stairways were constructed in the 1960s among the rock massifs, and high up were constructed rock gardens. Liberator's Hill is becoming into a popular leisure area. The hill was designated as a monument of garden and park art by the NICP in 1990, and a natural monument by the MoEW(Ministry of Environment and Water Resources) in 1995.(VisitPlovdiv, n,d)

The Hill of the Liberation are also one of the cities favourite spots for cycling, taking walks, jogging and

cycling. There's a wonderful physical challenge on the trail that curves up to the summit, and there are several of playgrounds dotted around its base that are constantly full of kids. (Plovdiv, n.d)

 

Source: https://megaconstrucciones.net/en/alyosha-monument- plovdiv/

Then you can also visit the Youth Hill which is also called Dzhendem Tepe with an altitude of 285.5 meters above sea level. The lower section of the hill is a component of the city's green infrastructure and is used as a public park. The Youth Hill, which is closest to the city core, is the biggest, tallest, and least affected by human activity. The hill and the park area below it were declared natural monuments in 1995 by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. This action was taken in order to preserve the unique geomorphological features that can be seen here, the unique landscape, and the rare and endangered animal and plant species. Additionally, there is the known as "Children's railway," which is a fun activity for kids as well as adults. Since the Aqueduct of Philipopol is close to Dzhendem Tepe, we strongly advise you to visit it while you are in the neighbourhood. This magnificent structure depicts the layout of the Roman water delivery system throughout the second and third centuries. There are tennis courts on the hill for you sports fans.( Dzhendem tepe, 2023)

The next one on the list should be The Hill of the Liberation also know as Bunardzhika. Same as the rest it has a high altitude of 265 m above sea leavel with a great location in the central part of Plovdiv. In its capacity as a public park, the hill's area is a part of the city's green system. The hill stood beyond the city limits until the late 1800s. Based on the historical records, the hill was not afforested. In response to the City Council's decision to give the hills more attention, the first planting of the empty patches of Bunardzhik Hill occurred on August 25, 1881, or 6 September. The 1930s saw the start of the building of walks with rails and stone stairs that were top-paved with smaller stones. The restaurant above them, the cement slide, and the colonnades and arches of the waterfalls were constructed at that time. Along with the intention of building a monument honouring the Soviet army, which was completed in 1956–1957, its construction was restarted in the 1950s. Around that period, a basketball court was added to the summer theatre, "Kocho Tsvetarov" Stadium. Many walkways and stairways were constructed in the 1960s among the rock massifs, and high up were constructed rock gardens. Liberator's Hill is becoming into a popular leisure area. The hill was designated as a monument of garden and park art by the NICP in 1990, and a natural monument by the MoEW(Ministry of Environment and Water Resources) in 1995.(VisitPlovdiv, n,d)
The Hill of the Liberation are also one of the cities favourite spots for cycling, taking walks, jogging and
cycling. There's a wonderful physical challenge on the trail that curves up to the summit, and there are several of playgrounds dotted around its base that are constantly full of kids. (Plovdiv, n.d)

Source: https://megaconstrucciones.net/en/alyosha-monument- plovdiv/

Source: https://bulgariawinetours.com/the- legend-of-the-seven-hills-of-plovdiv/

ROWING CANAL

After enjoying the good time visiting the Hills of Plovdiv, you can try the Rowing Canal, which excelent for all kind of activities. This is the biggest venue for rowing contests of its sort in the Balkans and the waterway is three metres deep, 120 metres broad, and 2 200 metres long. Also, It's next to the Recreation and Culture Park. The refurbished 800-seat grandstand provides a great view of the sporting events for spectators. On September 16, 2011, the European Rowing Championship for Men and Women took place at the Rowing base. The channel's extended lanes are excellent for biking, strolling, and exercising. Locals are frequently walking around with their family and friends especially during the summer months and the weekends, or lounging at one of the cafés while enjoying a drink and some deeply fried sprats (tsatsa) which is a traditional fish in Bulgaria. (VisitPlovdiv, n.d)

Source: https://plovdivcitycard.com/place/rowing-channel/

Source: https://www.visitplovdiv.com/en/node/690 

SIZE OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AND ECONOMICAL IMPACT

In December 2023, there were 785.446 thousand foreign visitors to Bulgaria, up 3.1% over the previous month's 3.4% rise. Other reasons for visiting accounted for 57.32% of visits to Bulgaria, with vacation and leisure coming in second (29.04%) and business travel coming in third (13.64%). 52.78% of all journeys were made by EU citizens, with Romania contributing the most (38.18%). In contrast, 40.06% of immigrants were from outside EU nations, with Turkey accounting for the majority (51.48%). According to the data, Bulgaria had a rise in tourist arrivals from 694.390 in November 2022 to 785.446 in December 2023. From 1991 to 2023, the average number of tourists arriving in Bulgaria was 839977.20. The highest recorded number was

3.531.567 in December 2003, while the lowest recorded number was 81153 in April 2020.

(tradingeconomics, n.d)

Additionally, Plovdiv reports that the number of visitors who stayed overnight rose by 39% from 2020, and that during the third quarter, the proportion of Bulgarian citizens climbed by 13.1% from the pre-pandemic year 2019. Additionally, the study indicates a 38% growth in overnight stays in Plovdiv over 2020. Sales have increased by 50% from 2020 (VisitPlovdiv).

The WTTC prediction indicated that by 2033, 17,500 new employment will be created in this year alone, bringing the total number of people working in the travel and tourism industry to over 287,000. This means that one out of every twelve Bulgarian workers is employed in this sector.

The travel and tourist industry proved resilient in 2022, adding 6.5% (or BGN 10 billion) to Bulgaria's GDP. Additionally, the study shows that travel and tourism are expected to provide 336,000 employment nationwide in terms of prospective job development.( ETTravelWorld, n.d) The national data for Bulgaria indicate that Plovdiv received 242 422 Night Spend tourists who are not residents. Additionally, we show that the number of arrivals in lodging places is 101 716, bringing in 17 496 053 lev from the accommodations in 2022 (NSI, n.d).

 

Bulgaria's travel and tourism industry generated 18,000 more employment in 2022 than it did in 2021, making up one in every 13 jobs in the nation. In the yearly study report, it is said that the industry has recovered one-third of the employment that were lost during the epidemic. "Despite ongoing regional conflicts, Bulgaria's travel and tourism industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience in recovering from the pandemic's challenges," stated Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC. Domestic traveller spending nearly entirely recovered in 2022, rising by 21% annually to 1.3 billion levs, or over 1.4 billion levs, the peak before the epidemic.

According to the WTTC data, international tourists' spending increased 31% year over year over the same time, totaling almost 6.5 billion levs.

 

Source: https://tradingeconomics.com/bulgaria/tourist- arrivals#:~:text=February%20of%202024.-

 

Source: https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/1978/annual- data

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Plovdiv, which offers a unique mixture of cultural legacy, culinary pleasures, and natural beauty, serves as a tribute to Bulgaria's rich and varied past. Plovdiv's full environment and plenty of attractions are what make it so appealing, from its historical origins as Philippopolis to its current standing as one of the most popular destinations in Europe. The well preserved historic sites of the city, such the Roman Stadium and the historic Theatre, provide tourists a look into the past and demonstrate the city's rich history. Furthermore, Danov Hill, Youth Hill, and the Hill of the Liberation Plovdiv's three famous hills offer visitors and locals alike not just beautiful vistas but also a hub for leisure and culture. The cuisine of Plovdiv, especially its wine culture, gives the city an additional charm. Plovdiv makes it possible for guests to enjoy the best food and wines while taking in the lively atmosphere of the city with its Wine and Gourmet Festival and Young Wine Festival. Plovdiv’s tourism sector is still booming, drawing more and more tourists to the city every year. Recent research shows that Plovdiv's tourist industry contributes significantly to GDP development and employment creation in Bulgaria. In simple terms, Plovdiv's appeal comes from its capacity to change and adapt to the needs of contemporary tourism in addition to its historical relevance. Travellers may enjoy a variety of activities in Plovdiv, including visiting historic ruins, indulging in delectable cuisine, and taking in the panoramic splendour of the city.

Plovdiv is an essential stop in Europe (SeeNews, 2023).