Plovdiv In Your Pocket

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PLOVDIV  May - August 2009

“In Your Pocket: A cheeky, well-

written series of guidebooks.” The New York Times

International  Plovdiv Fair  12 - 17 May, 2009

The Old Town Town A crossroad of cultures No 2

www.inyourpocket.com

Enjoy your  COMPLIMENTARY  COPY  of Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Contents

ESSENTIAL

CITY

3

GUI DES

Contents Arriving in Plovdiv

5

Touching down

The Basics

6

Essential reading for those not sure where they are

History Introducing Plovdiv How the past has shaped th e present 

Keeping in touch

8 9

Restaurants 11

Let your Mum know how you are

Culture & Events

13

Antique theatre performances

Where to stay Places to recharge the batteries and catch up on your beauty sleep

Dining & Nightlife

16

22

Where to wine and dine Cafés 29 Feed the addiction Nightlife 31 Enough to keep any pub crawlers on their hands and knees

What to see

35

The Old Town houses and churches

Getting around

47

Making sense of transport 

Directory Shopping Go on a spree Health & Lifestyle Prevention is better than cure Sports Time for fitness Business Oligarchs anonymous

49 51 53 54

Maps & Index Street index City map City centre map Bulgaria map

57 59 60 62

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Foreword Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It carries the feeling of a country town, still it is not a place that will rock you to sleep. On the contrary, Plovdiv has much to offer. Many visitors, both foreign and Bulgarian, are lured to the city not only because of its numerous historical treasures, but also for its various trade sh ows on display  at the premises of the International Plovdiv Fair. This edition of In Your Pocket will show you what’s on for the upcoming months. For first timers to Plovdiv we recommend that you go to the ancient heart o f the city and get  a taste of the mixture in architecture on display. Much of  the old splend our has been restored to its original beaut y. Check out the Old Town Town section (page 38) and follow the published map for a guided tour.We tour.We added more in depth information about many houses and church es. If you have any spare moments left, go visit Perperikon (page 45), Pamporovo (page 46), the village of Hisarya (page 53) or the Equestrian-sport base “Han Krum” (page 54). All are worth experiencing. Return to Plovdiv for the Autumn Internatio nal Plovdiv Fair and don’t miss our 2nd edition for  this year or download it from www.inyourpocket.com. I f you would like to share your experience or give us your opinion on places you visited in Plovdiv, please, drop us an email on [email protected] or leave your comments  for others to read on the web.

Europe In Your Pocket

Cover story This is a peak  into the yard of  the Ethnographic Museum. One of  the most beautiful buildings in the Old Town. Read more on page 41.

ESSENTIAL

CITY

GUIDES

Plovdiv In Your Pocket Mladost 4, bl. 473, vh. 2-3, pristroika, pristroika, parter  (opposite (opposite th e Business Park) 1715 Sofia, Bulgaria tel.: + 359 2 881 01 02  fax: + 359 2 881 53 32 [email protected] www.inyourpocket.com

ISSN 1313-7034 © Discover Bulgaria Ltd. Printed by Bulged Ltd. Published 2 times per year  15 000 copies

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

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arriving in PLovdiv With points of arrival characterized by confusing signs, most of which in Cyrillic, staff who only speak English if  they feel like it, your first five minutes in Plovdiv can often  feel like landing on a faraway planet. A healthy mixture o f  patience and good humou r should be enough to set you on your way.

By bus

Central Bus Station Yug, H-2, b ul. Hristo Botev 47, 47, tel. 62 69 37, 37, www.hebrosbus.com, www.avtogari. info International buses arrive and depart from the central bus station on bul. Hri sto Botev 47 47. Facilities in clude ticket  offices, cafés and restaurant, 24 hour left-luggage office (garderob-1Lv) (garderob-1Lv) in th e main passen ger’s hall. Getting to town: Taxis are always on hand an d can take you to the city cen tre for approximately 3-4Lv (€2). Buses No 7, 18, 20 and minibuses No 4, 8 will also get you to to the centre. By foot, go straight along bul. Hristo Botev and then turn to the le ft along bu l. Tsar Tsar Boris III. I t will take you approximately 15-20 min.

By car 

Plovdiv is since historical times th e centre point of various cross roads. Coming from Sofia you ta ke the A1 on which you are blessed with about 137 kilometers of relatively  good highway. Departing from northern Greece you can take the mountain ous route 86. You cross the border  at Asenovgrad and keep on driving nor th until you reach Plovdiv. If you come from Turkey, Turkey, take the hi ghway E80 to Svilengrad via Edirne (Odrin) going on via Harmanli and Haskovo Plovdiv Plovdiv is just ahead. Burgas-Plovdiv (270km) (270km) should be don e via the E773/E871 E773/E871 provincial until a fter  Stara Zagora. Do not miss tiny exits with writ ten София София

(Sofia) on it! Parking in Plovdiv is generally less difficult  than in Sofia. Traffic jams are also less even during rush hours and drivers a littl e bit more tolerant than the nervous Sofia bunch, so you will not hear too much honki ng of  car horns like in Sofia.

By plane

Plovdiv International Airport (Letishte Plovdiv), K-8 K- 8, often referred to as Plovdiv Krumovo Airport, is located 12km southeast of the city centre on the main highway  Plovdiv-Asenovgrad. It has one terminal and is speciali zed in servicing charter flights for the Bulgarian mountain ski resorts (Pamporovo - 60km, Borovetz - 90km an d Bansko 163km) during the winter period from December to April. During the period May to November there are hardly any  passenger flights, except for landings of aircraft originally  destined to Sofia ai rport. The capital is 150k m away, via A1 (Trakiya) highway. highway. There is only one café an d free Wi-Fi. Getting to town: the only way to get to town is by  taxi, approximately 15 min. The fare to town town should not  cost more than 20-30Lv (€10-15). (€10-15). Make sure you check  the sticker on the windscreen indicating the rates in BGN. Charges are supposed to be metered and since this is an out of town course the driver switches the meter on exiting  Plovdiv, so you pay 1 and ½ fare. There are no regular buses except for the pick-up servi ces of hotels or travel companies. The railway stop of Plovdiv-Asenovgrad trains is abou t 1  km from the airport’s terminal.

Message from the Mayor Dear citizens and guests of Plovdiv, Plovdiv is a city with history and traditions of  long standing – it is one of the oldest cities in Europe and indeed the oldest city in Bul garia. Today  Today  it successfully interlaces the spirit of the past and its European present and  future. Plovdiv is a city on the crossroad between the East  and the West. That is the reason why the people, who have come from far away, become enchanted by what  they see. The monuments of culture are almost 200, including th e Ancient Theatre of the old Philippopolis, the Roman Stadium, the Nebet tepe Archaeological Archaeologi cal Complex, the old Plovdiv... And along with the antiquities are the renovated city centre, the Row canal, the International Fair in Plovdiv, the green areas for recreation and amusement of the ci tizens and guests of Plovdiv. These places are well known even abroad. I am convinced that everyone, who has visited the city  once, will keep coming back enchanted by the spirit of  Plovdiv, Plovdiv, by the hospitality of the old houses an d southern temperament of the local citizens. Anyone, who has been in contact with Pl ovdiv, ovdiv, falls in love with the ci ty for ever. And for us, the citizens of Plovdiv, it is a privilege to be a part of the spirit of this unique place, hidden between the seven hills in th e Valley of Maritsa River. Welcome to our city ! Slavcho Atanasov Mayor of Plovdiv

Plovdiv Airport provides bus transpor t for the passengers of all international carriers in case of irregularity. Plovdiv Airport is used as an alternative airport to Sofia Airport or  any other Bulgarian airport.

By train Plovdiv`s Plovdiv`s Central Statio n (Tsentralna gara), H-2, open 24hours, is located on the south side of the centre of  Plovdiv. There There is a lu ggage offi ce (garderob), just outside the station left of the parcel post. It is open open from 05:30 05:30 to 21:30 and the fee is 2Lv per item for for 24 hours. The station has special facilities for disabled peopl e. The The central pedestrian street I van Vazov will lead you to the centre of the city - pl. Tsentralen, Tsentralen, the Cen tral Post Offi ce as well as the Trimonzium Hotel. The ch eapest way to get to the other parts of the city is either by walking or by taking  buses No 9 or mini bus No 2 from the bus stop, just from the same street.

May - August 2009

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BasiCs Alcohol The archetypal national tipple is rakiya or brandy, which usually comes as either grozdova rakiya (grape brandy) or  slivova (plum). It’s usually served up in 50g or 100g shots and is consumed alongside salad or some other form of nibble – wait-staff will consider you peculiar if you don’t order at least  something to snack on whil e you’re slugging down spirits. As  far as beer is concerned, concern ed, Bulgaria produces several palatable lagers – Zagorka, Shumensko and Kamenitsa are the most  reliable of the big bran ds. Much more impressive are the dry  red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon from Svishtov and Or yahovitsa, Merlot from Stambolovo, Stambolovo, Gumza from Novo Selo, Mavrud from Asenovgrad, and Melni k from the village of same name. The Chardon nays and Traminers Traminers from Veliki Preslav are among the best of the whi tes.

Customs If you are travelling within the EU those over 18 can now take 10L of spirits, 90L of wine and 110L of beer. Most  countries will not allow more than 200 cigarettes from Bulgaria. You’re not allowed to export antiques, artworks or coins of numismatic value unless you have a permit issued by  the Ministry of Culture. Due to fears about child trafficking, travellers with small children may be asked for documenta ry  evidence of their parental relationship before being allowed to leave the country.

one week, 25Lv for one month , and 67Lv for a year. Talking on a mobile ph one while drivin g is strictly forbidden, as is driving under the influence of more than 0.5/1000 of  alcohol. Foreigners are well advised to obey the rules of the road even if they see locals behaving otherwise: the police rarely speak English and are unlikely to show any lenience. Police checks on major highways are common, especially  when entering or leaving Plovdiv at the weekend. Policemen are allowed to charge on -the-spot fines for up to 50Lv. 50Lv.

Tourist information Plovdiv Tourist Tourist Information Infor mation Centre F-3, pl. Tsentralen 1, tel. 65 67 94, [email protected], www. plovdiv-tour.info. All you ever wanted to know about  routes, tariffs, tickets, accommodation, cultural events, maps and general information information abou t Plovdiv’s transport, banks, insurance companies and real estate. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat, Sun. PJ

Electricity  Bulgaria runs on a 220 volt electricity supply (so some visitors will need to bring a transformer). Standard continental two-prong plugs are used, so others will need to  furnish themselves with an adaptor if they want to use their  hairdr yer/phone/ yer/phone/ charger/laptop. charger/laptop.

Smoking  Cafès, bars and restau rants are required require d by law to provide an area for non-smokers. In practice however this will probably  consist of one or two tables surrounded on all sides by  nicotine addicts happily puffing away.

Visas Citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA can stay in the country visa -free for 90 days. days. Nationals of other countries shoul should d contact the Bulgarian embassies or  consulates in their home countries ab out visa arrangements. Note that visas cannot be obtai ned at the border. If you wish to extend your stay beyond the 90-day period you should apply for a residence permit from the Immigration Office, ul. Volga 47, tel. 93 28 78 fax 93 28 88. Open 8:3012:00, 13:00-17:30. Closed Sat & Sun.

Roads & Traf Traffic fic poli police ce Most Bulgarians turn into psychopath s as soon as they get  behin d the wheel of a car, althou gh given the state of the road network one can hardly blame them. Cow-sized potholes, suicidal pedestrians and drunken cyclists riding on the wrong  side of the road are just some o f the things to look out for – and with hazards like the se you need to swerve around like a stunt driver in order to stay in one piece. In order to drive on Bulgarian roads outside Plovdiv you’ll need to purchase a vignette which must be glu ed to the windscreen. You can get  these from border crossings, all post offices and OMV and Shell gas stations. For a car or SU V vignettes cost 10Lv for 

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Basic data Territory: Bulgaria takes up 110, 550 km2 of land. It  shares borders with Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania. The country is bordered to the east by a 354km-long stretch of Black Sea coastline. Rivers: The main rivers in the country are Danube, Maritsa, Mesta, Strouma, Iskar, Yantra. There are more than 600 warm and cold mineral springs. Highest Point: Musala (2925m), south of Sofia in the Rila mountains. Population of Bulgaria: 7,385,367 (July 2006 est.) Population of Sofia: 1,377,531 (July 2006 est.) Local time: Bulgaria is part of the Eastern European Time Zone (GMT +2); when it is noon in Sofia i t is 11:00 in Berlin, Berlin, 10:00 in London and 05:00 in New York City. Religion: Traditional religion in the Republic of Bulgaria is Eastern Ortho dox Christianity. Christianity. Orth odox 85%, Muslim 8%, others 7%.

BasiCs Key phrases

The Cyrillic Alphabet

The following is a list of some of the most common words and phrases a person is likely to need.

Аа Бб Вв Гг Дд Ее Жж Зз Ии Йй Кк  Лл Мм Нн Оо Пп Рр Сс Тт Уу Фф Хх Цц Чч Шш Щщ  Ъъ Ьь Юю Яя

Hello Goodbye Please You’re You’re welcome Thank you Excuse me Yes / No Cheers I don’t understan d I don’t know Do you speak English? What’s up? Good morning! Good afternoon / evening! Good night! Have you got…? Where can I buy…? buy…? How many / how much? Good / bad Expensive / cheap New / old Hot / cold

Zdravei Dovizhdane Molya Pak zapoviadaite Blagodarya Izvinete Da / Ne Nazdrave Ne razbiram Ne znam Govorite li angliiski? Kakvo stava? Dobro utro! Dobur den / vecher! Leka nosht! Imate li…? Kude moga da kupya…? Kolko / Kolko struva? Dobro / losho Skupo / evtino Novo / staro Toplo / studeno

Days of week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Ponedelnik  Vtornik  Sryada Chetvurtak  Petuk  Subota Nedelya

Numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 100 1000

edno dve tri chetiri pet  shest  sedem osem devet  deset  sto hilyada

Market values How do costs compare to back home? Here is hand y list  of local prices to give you an idea. Leva Euro Loaf of white bread 1.00 0.50 Snickers bar 0.80 0.40 Litre of vodka 40.00 20.00 Litre of local vodka 7.00 3.50 Bottle of local beer (½ litre) 1.00 0.50 20 Marlboros 3.90 2.00 Public transport ticket 0.80 0.40 Cinema ticket 6.00 3.00 Exchange rates (as of May 2009): US$1-1.49Lv;  €1-1.95Lv; £1-2.18Lv

a b v g d e zh z i y k l m n o p r s t u f h ts ch sh sht a softens ’o’ yu ya

as in as in as in as in as in as in as ’s’ in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in as in

arm bath van go dog  let  mea sure zoo bit  yoke keep like map not  opera pen run sit  tap r ule an f an hand cu ts church sh ort  sma shed but  yoga you yard

National holidays January 1: New Year’s Day (Nova godina) March 3: Liberation Day (Liberation from the Ottoman rule) (Denyat na osvobozhdenieto) April 19: Easter (Velikden) (Velikden) May 1: Labour Day (Denyat na truda) May 6: St. George’s Day (Gergyovden; Day of the Bulgarian garian Army) Ar my) May 24: St. St. Cyril and Methodius (Sveti Sveti Kiril i Metodi; Day of the Cyrillic Alphabet an d Bulgarian Bulgarian Education and Culture) September 6: Unification Day (Saedinenieto; marking the unification of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in 1885) September 22: Independence Day (Denyat na nezavisimostta) December 24,25,26: Christmas (Koleda) (Koleda)

Important phone number numbers s Fire: 160/112 Ambulance: 150/112 Police: 166/112 Road assistance: 146 Anti-corruption unit: 02/982 22 22, www.nocorr.mvr.bg  Telephone information: 11800 Breakdown Breakdown Ser vice: 02/91146 or  146 if you’re calling   from a Bulgarian mobile

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history History  Antiquity Bulgaria Bulgaria is th e land of Orpheus and Spartacus. 4th century BC The territory of contemporary Bulgaria is conquered by the Macedonians, lead by Philip II and his son Alexander the Great. During During the first century AD th ese lands become Roman Roman provinces. 632 The History of Bulgaria as a separate country begins with the establishment of Old Great Bulgaria (also known as Onoguria). 681 68 1 First Bulgarian Kingdom is established by Khan Asparuh. 865 Bulgaria becomes a Christian country. Tsar Boris I accepts Orth odox Christianity. 9th-10th centuries “The Golden Age” period under the rule of  Tsar Simeon the Great. The Slavic writing is officially officially accepted through out the countr y. Literature schools, imposing temples and monasteries are built. Bulgaria has an outlet on three seas - the Black sea, Aegean Sea and th e Adriatic. The capital is moved to Veliki Preslav, which during that period could be compared with the beauty and glory of Constantinople. 1018 Bulgaria Bulgaria falls under By zantine rule until 1185. Se cond Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396) is founded 1185 The Second after two brothers, broth ers, Asen and Peter. Peter. The capital cit y of the new kingdom becomes bec omes Veliko Veliko Turnovo. 12th-13th centuries Under th e rule of the Tsar Tsar Kaloyan (11971207) and Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241), Bulgaria becomes a dominant power in the Balkans. Balkans. 1393 The Ottomans occupy the Bulgarian capital Veliko Turnovo after a three-month siege. 1396 The Kingdom of Vidin is occupied, bringing the Sec ond Bulgarian Bulgarian Empire and Bulgarian independence to an end. 14th-18 th centuries By the end of the 14 th century, the Turks control all of Bulgaria. Ottoman rule continues for five centuries. Revival begins. 18th century The A ge of the Bulgarian National Revival In spite of the resistance of th e central Turkish Turkish authori ties and the Greek clergy (th e so-called phanariots), phanariots), the struggl stru ggle e for an independen t church, the publication of books and, later on, of  periodicals in th e Bulgarian language, language, the establishment of lay  Bulgarian schools and the official recognition of the language and culture, become real steps to the revival of the nation. One important landmark was the writing of the Slav-Bulgarian History (1762) by monk Paissi of Hilendar. 1876 Bulgarian revolutionaries launch the April Uprising at  Koprivshtitsa. The Turks suppress it with unprecedented brutalit y. Abou t 15,000 Bulgarians Bulgarians are massacred at Plovdiv and 58 villages destroyed. Outraged European allies come to Bulgaria’s rescue in th e late 1870s. Russia, the chief savi our, our, suffers 200,000 casualties in the conflict. 1877-1878 The Russian-Turkish war leads to the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. March 1878 The Treaty of San Stefano provides for an independent Bulgarian Bulgarian state, which spans the geographical geographical regions of Moesia, Thrace and Mace donia. July 1878 The Treaty Treaty of Berlin, under th e supervision of O tto von Bismarck of Germany and Benjamin Disraeli of Britain, splits Bulgaria Bulgaria into three par ts: an independent Principality Principality of  Bulgaria Bulgaria based in S ofia, the autonomous O ttoman province province of Eastern Roumelia; and Macedonia, which remains under  direct Ottoman rule. Turnovo Constitution is passed by the First  April 1879 The Turnovo Grand National Assembly. June 1879 Alexander Battenberg becomes be comes prince of Bulgaria, and Sofia bec omes the capital of the new Bulgarian state. September 1885 Eastern Rumelia declares union with Bulgaria. 1887 A coup replaces Alexander Battenberg wi th Ferdinand Ferdinand of Sa xe-Coburg-Gotha. xe-Coburg-Gotha. September 1908 Ferdinand upgrades Bulgaria from principality to kingdom and declares himself Tsar.

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Recent History In June 2001, the Bulgarian monarchy makes an unprecedented comeback when former king Simeon II is elected prime minister. minister. Unable to ease economics hardships for the majority, however, he too sees his popularity plummet after a few months in power. In the same election, the country’s Turkish minority is represented in the government for the first time, and the president  encourages Bulgarians to be more tolerant of TurkishBulgarians. Progress continues under President Georgi Parvanov, Parvanov, albei t slower than m ost hope. Memb ership of  NATO is granted in 2004, and entry into the European Union followed in 2007. July 27, 2005 the Bulgarian Parliament chose Sergey  Stanishev of the Bulgarian Socialist Party as the new Prime Minister in a coalition government government with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. August 15, 2005 the BSP and National Movement Simeon II formed a stable government, along with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. This grand coalition comprises the three largest parties. This coalition has a large majority in parliament parliament wi th 169 of the 240 depu ties. Parliamentary  Parliamentary  elections will be held in Bulgaria on June 28 or July 5, 2009. 1912-1913 The Nationalist Prime Minister, Ivan Geshov,  forms an alliance with Greece and Serbia to attack the Ottomans and to drive drive them out of Macedonia and Thrace. Th e Balkan Wars are sparking. The alliance soon fall out, with Greeks and Serbs expelling Bulgarian Bul garian forces forces from Macedonia, and then dividing up th e spoils. 1915-1918 Bulgaria joins the German side in World War I. A  Serb-French-British Serb-French-Briti sh offensive offensive in Macedonia causes cause s Bulgaria’s collapse. Ferdinand abdicates in favour of son Boris III. 1919 Elections are won by the Peasant party of Aleksandar  Aleksandar  Stamboliyski promising widespread social change. 1923-1934 Democratically Democraticall y elected governments are toppled toppled via coups that bring authori tarian regimes to power. power. 1941 Bulgaria enters World War II on the side of the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis. The country is the only ally of  Hitler’s Germany which did not allow the killing of its Jewish citizens. It was thanks to king Boris III and to the Bulgarian governments governments that no hostilities are waged in the country’s territory. 1944 After World War II, as a result of the Yalta agreements between the Great Powers, Bulgaria ends up in the field of  influence of the Soviet Union. 1953-1989 Years of the communist rule of Todor Zhivkov who headed both the party and the state. 10 November 1989 Under pressure from domestic and international circumstances Todor Zhivkov is forced to resign. Bulgaria once again takes the road of democratic development. 7 December 1989 The Union of Democratic Forces (SDS) is  formed as a unifi cation of 13 opposition organisations. June 1990 First free parliamentary parliamentary elections. 12 July 1991 A new democratic Constitu tion is passed. 13 October 1991 First free local authorities elections. 1992 First free presidential elections. Zhelyu Zhelev is elected h ead of state. 3 November 1996 Petar Stoyanov, proposed by the SDS, is elected with President of the Republic of Bulgaria with a landslide majorit y. 19 April 1997 The Parliamentary elections are won by the Democratic Forces United. A government is formed heade d by Ivan I van Kostov Kostov as Prime-Minis ter. ter. Bulgaria starts star ts on the road of genuine democratic reforms. reforms.

introduCing PLovdiv Plovdiv is possibly Europe’s oldest city, with unearthed  findings from as early as 4.500 BC, the same timeframe as Troy. Troy. From its earliest existence Plovdiv was a stronghold for trade routes and continues to have this role of  importance today.

Antiquity  342 BC Philip II of Macedon conquers Plovdiv and names it Philippopolis, years later the city is re-conquered by the Thracians who Thracionise the name to Pulpudeva. 72 AD The Roman general Terentius Varo Lukulus captures Plovdiv and gives it the name Trimontium (City of Three Hills) and it serves as metropolis (capital) of the province of Thrace. Thrimontium is an important crossroads for the Roman Empire and Lucian calls it “The largest and most  beauti ful of all cities”.

Middle Ages Middle 6th century The Slavs are fully settled in the area. 681 68 1 Establishment of Bulgaria, Philipopolis became an important border fortress of the Byzantine Empire. 812 Captured by Khan Krum. 834 Khan Malamir unites the entire area within the Bulgarian hemisphere. 970 Eunuch Peters Asian army is destroyed by the Bulgarians. 971 The Bulgarian reign is short lived and Plovdiv is taken by the Byzantine Empire. 1204 The knights from the Fourth Crusade established a Latin empire and Plovdiv fell under its occupation. 1208 Kaloyan’s successor Boril finds his Waterloo in the battle of Plovdiv. During the times of Latin rule Plovdiv is capital of the Duchy  of Philippopolis governed by the crusaders Renier de Trit, and later on by Gerard de Strem. 1225 -1229 again the city is under Bulgarian rule during  Ivan Asen II. 1263 Conquered by the restored Byzantine Empire. 1322 George Terter II of Bulgaria recaptures Plovdiv for  Bulgaria. 1323 Byzantine rule restored. 1344 Plovdiv and eight other towns are given to Bulgaria during the regency for John V Palaiologos as the price  for Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria’s support in the Byzantine civil war. 1364 The Ottoman Turks under Lala Shakhin Pasha seize Plovdiv. The Turks call the city Filibe. It is the capital of  Rumelia. 1382 Ottomans captured Sofia which became the main city and capital of the province. Plovdiv survives however as one of the major cultural centres for Bulgarian culture and tradition. The name Plovdiv first appears in this period.

National reviva revi vall During the Ottoman Empire, Plovdiv is of great importance for the Bulgarian national movement in the Eastern Rumelia province. During this period Plovdiv is a major  economic centre along with Istanbul, Odrin (Edirne) and Solun (Thessalonica). Many of the beautiful houses of  these times can still be seen i n the architectural reserve of Old Plovdiv. Between 1364-1864 Plovdiv is a Sanjak (administrative district of the Turkish Empire within a province) centre of the Rumelia Province. Between 1864-1878 Sanjak centre of  Edirne Vilayet during Ottoman Rule.

Facts, figures and Mayor The population for the municipalit y of Plovdiv for 2007  was 375,137 375,137 making it the second city in th e country. The average yearly temperature is 18.5 degrees Celsius and just 99 days of rain, also on average of  more than 0, 25 mm. These figures show that in c ase you do take your umbrella to Plovdiv you li kely just use it for sun protection. Slavcho Atanasov is since 2007 the newly elected mayor of Pl ovdiv. ovdiv. 1836 The first Bulgarian school is established. 1850 Modern secular educati on begins with the opening of  the St St Cyrill and Metodius school. 11 May 1858 the day of the Saints Cyril and Methodius is celebrated for the first time; this later becomes a National holiday and is still cele brated today. today. 1858 in the Church of Virgin Mary the Christmas liturgy is served for the first time in the Bulgarian language since the beginning of the Ottoman occupation. 1868 the school expands into the first grammar school. Some of the intellectuals, politicians and spiritual leaders of the nation graduated here. 1878 The city was liberated from the Ottomans during the Battle of Plovdiv. 3rd of March 1878 Treaty of San Ste fano, the Principality  of Bulgaria included the lands with predominantly Bulgarian population. Plovdiv is selected as a capital of the restored country and for a seat of the Temporary Russian Government. Great Britain an d Austria-Hungary, Austria-Hun gary, however, however, do not recognize this treaty and the final result of the war is concluded in the Congress of Berlin by separating the autonomous region of Eastern Rumelia from Bulgaria and Plovdiv as its capital. At the time, it had a population of about 33,500, of  which 45% were Bulgarians, 25% Greeks, 21% Turks, 6% Jews and 3% Armenians. Spring of 1885 Zahari Stoyanov forms the Secret Bulgarian Central Revolutionary Committee in Plovdiv and actively  conducts propaganda for the unification of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. 5 September 1885 several hundred armed rebels from Golyamo Konare (now Saedinenie) march to Plovdiv. In the night of 5-6 September these men with their leader Danail Nikolaev take control of the city and remove the GeneralGovernor Gavril Krastevich. A provisional government is  formed under Georgi Stranski a universal mobilization is announced. After the defeat of the Serbs in the Serbo-Bulgarian War, War, Bulgaria and Turkey reach an agreement ac cording to which the Principali ty of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia has a common government, Parliament, admini stration and army. Today the 6th of September is celebrated as the Uni fication Day and the Day o f Plovdiv.

Recent histor histor y  After the unification Plovdiv remains the second city in population and significance after the capital Sofia. 1874 The first railway in the city is built. 1888 Railway link with Sofia. 1892 Plovdiv becomes host of the First Bulgarian Fair with international participation which is succeeded by the International Fair Plovdiv. After the liberation the first brewery is established in the city. 20th century Plovdiv grows into a significant industrial and commercial centre with well developed light and food industry. 1939 Over 16,000 craftsmen and 17,000 workers in manufacturing factories are counted, mainly for food and

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introduCing PLovdiv tobacco processing. During the Second World War the tobacco industry expanded as well as the export of fruit  and vegetables. 1943 1,500 Jews are saved from deportation in concentration camps by the archbishop of Plovdiv Cyril who later  becomes Bulgarian Patriarch of the Orthodox Church. 6 April 1956 opening of the first trolleybus line. 1960s and 1970s A construction boom and many of the modern neighbourhoods take shape. 1970s and 1980s antique remain s are excavated and the Old Town is fully restored.

November 10, 1989 Plovdiv is a place of major demonstrations of the democratic forces in Bulgaria, referred to by many people as the city of “th e blue (democratic) capital of Bulgaria.” In this period Plovdiv becomes the birthplace of Bulgaria’s movement for democratic reform, and by 1989 gains enough support to enter government. 1990 the Sports complex Plovdiv is finished, it inclu des the largest stadium and rowing canal in th e country.

Plovdiv hills Plovdiv, Plovdiv, also called th e city of the hills, was built amongst 9 hills, called called “tepeta”. It is b elieved that one of the l evelled evelled tepeta was at Filipovo station (gara Filipovo) and the other  one was at the current Kamenitsa beer factory. At the beginning of the 20th cen tury one of the remaining tepeta was given on a concession as a quarry. By the time the court tried to seize the con tract for concession the 7th hill was gone. The cobbled streets of the Old Town of Plovdiv were built from the rocks. The tepeta are formations from pure stone. During the reign of Tsar Boris the architect of  the City Garden afforested the hills. Nowadays there are 6 hills left: 1. Nebet tepe (nebet means observe). It is believed believed to be the first inhabited place on these lands, long b efore the Thracians came about. 2. Taksim tepe (taksim means distrib ute). 3. Djambaz tepe tepe (djambaz (djambaz is after the fighters who were were climbing the hills of the Roman theatre and not after the

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

turksih word djambaz djambaz which whi ch means to bargain) This is where the amphitheatre Filipopol is. 4. Sahat tepe tepe (sahat (sahat means clock). This is where the first  clock tower in th e whole of th e European part of th e Turksih Turksih empire was built. 5. Bunardjika (bunar means well). In the old times here used to be th e main well from where the water was supplied supplied to the cit y. Here was built th e Aliosha monument. 6. Djandem tepe tepe (djandem (djandem means the end of of the world). world). At the beginning of the 20th century the rich Plovdivians would take their carriages and would go for a picnic there, picnic at the end of the world. Also here during socialism was built a children’s railway with small engine trains and carriages where the kids had the chance to dress and act as real engine drivers, ticket collectors and travelers. travelers. After being closed down for year the Plovdiv municipality  re-opened the railway once again for the little ones to play  again.

12

keePing in touCh Postal rates Postcards Postcar ds Letters Lette rs

Bulgaria 0.40 Lv 0.60 Lv

Europe 1.00 Lv 1.00 Lv

USA & Others 1.50 Lv 1.50 Lv

Bulgarian main city codes Blagoevgrad Burgas Dobrich Gabrovo Haskovo Yambol Kyustendil

73 56 58 66 38 46 78

Lovech Pazardzhik  Pernik  Pleven Plovdiv Ruse Silistra

68 34 76 64 32 82 86

Sliven 44 Sofia 2 Stara Zagora 42 Varna 52 V. Tarnovo 62 Vidin 94 92 Vratsa

The above codes should be prefixed with 0 if dialing from inside Bulgaria.

International country codes

63 08 90, [email protected], www.city-express. com. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00.

Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czech Rep. Denmark  Finland France Germany  Greece

D & D Express C-1, ul. Pleven 6, tel. 032 64 11 60/032

The above codes should be prefixed with 00 i f dialing from inside Bulgaria.

Couriers

City Express D-3, ul. Stefan Verkovich 8-10, tel. 032

64 11 60, [email protected], www.dnd-express.bg. QOpen 09:30 - 18:30. Closed Sat, Sun.

DHL International K-8, bul. Kuklensko Shose 35, tel. 0700 17 700, [email protected], www.dhl.com.

T-Post H-3, ul. Todor Alexandrov 9, tel. 032 67 58 80, [email protected], [email protected], w ww.courier.bg. 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

QOpen

09:00 -

ISPs Trakia 9A, tel. 0700 12 700/0897 899 Easy Lan G-1, ul. Trakia 516, [email protected], www.easy-lan.net.

Entry A-1, ul. Sredez 53A, tel. 032 57 07 70/0885 999 567, [email protected], www.entry.bg. Internet, Cable TV and Internet phone provider. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat  09:00 - 12:30. Closed Sun.

EvroCom F-2, ul. Gladston 1, tel. 032 575 575, fax 032 62 84 06, [email protected], www.evrocom.net.

Visio K-6, bul. Vapzarov 134, tel. 0886 622 292, ww w. netvisio.net. High speed Internet. Sat 09:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun.

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

QOpen

09:00 - 18:30,

43 32 359 385 420 45 358 33 49 30

Hungary  36 353 Ireland 972 Israel Italy  39 81 Japan Macedonia 389 Netherlands 31 47 Norway  Poland 48 351 Portugal

40 Romania Russia 7 381 Serbia 386 Slovenia Spain 34 46 Sweden Switzerland 41 90 Turkey  UK 44 USA/Canada 1

Phone and ADSL  BTC Group A-2, bul. Bulgaria 17, tel. 032 96 55 00, www.btc.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun.

Post  Central Post Office F-3, pl. Tsentralen 1, tel. 032 62 24 60. QOpen 07:00 - 19:00.

CuLture & events Vazrazhdane D-3, ul. Stoyan Chalakov 1, tel. 032

The cultural program in Plovdiv is always rich in choices. Take your pick from any of the listings. Performers will astonish you regardless of the slightly dilapidated theatres.

63 53 39/0885 23 67 75, [email protected], www. vazrazdane-gallery.com. Q Open 10:00 - 19:00, Sun 11:00 - 16:00.

Art galleries

Cinemas

Art Gallery Aspect E-3, pl. Stefan Stambolov 1A, tel.

Trakia, bul. Saedinenie, tel. 032 68 Faces K-8, Zhk. Trakia,

032 51 11 47, [email protected], www.galleryaspect.com. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun.

Art Gallery Philipopolis D-3, ul. Saborna 29, tel. 032 62 27 42, [email protected], www.philipoppolis.com. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00.

Elista D-3, ul. Hristo Dyukmedzhiev 14/0886 103 995. QOpen

10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun.

Heros D-2, ul. Raiko Daskalov 30, tel. 032 62 46 43/0887 645 027. Sun.

QOpen

10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat,

33 10. QOpen 14:00 - 21:30, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. (4 - 6Lv). P

Flaminco Cinema C-1, bul. Shesti (6-ti) Septemvri 128, tel. 032 64 40 04, www.kinoflamingo.com. QOpen 12:30 - 22:30, Sa t, Sun 11:00 - 22:30. (4 - 6Lv). 6Lv). P

Geo Milev G-1, bul. Vasil Aprilov 3, tel. 032 62 64 57. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. (2 - 3Lv). P Lucky F-2, ul. Gladston 1, tel. 032 62 90 70, lucky@ evrocom.net. QOpen 14:00 - 21:30, Sat, Sun 12:0022:00. (4-6Lv). P

Music, opera and ballet .

Art Gallery Red Pony

Opera and Philharmonic Society - Plovdiv F-3, pl. Tsentralen 1, tel. 032 62 55 53, [email protected], www.ofd-plovdiv.org.

Theatres Musical Theatre Plovdiv J-8, ul. St. Shishkov 7, tel. Art Gallery Galler y Red Pony Pony C-3, ul. Dr. Chomakov 5A Old Plovdiv, tel. 032 62 57 92/0888 262 615, renys@ yahoo.com, www.redpony-bg.com. The museum “Atanas Krastev - Nacho Kulturata” is situated in the centre of the architectural and cultural reserve Ancient  Plovdiv, close to the Ethnographic museum and on the top of Nebet Tepe. It was named after and a home to the man, called with l ove by many “the mayor of the Old Plovdiv”, a home in which he lived for the last 50 years of his life. The museum was founded founded in 2003, right after  the death of this notable Bulgarian, who dedicated all his life to the renovation and the popularization of the architectural reserve “Ancient Plovdiv”. Besides the typical interior, characteristic for the period of the National Bulgarian Revival, the visitors have the chance to feel the a tmosphere of his own intimate world, saved saved by th e  furniture and the hou sehold goods, which surrounded him throughou t his entire life. Everyb Everybody, ody, who steps through the door of the museum, has the oppor tunity to see his  famous collection of works of art and to enjoy th e paintings of some of the most popular Bulgarian and foreign artists. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00.

032 63 99 13/0889 554 721, nickyserafimov@hotmail. com, www.musichallplovdiv.hit.bg. It was opened in 1993. It presents works in the field of expressionism: theatre, ballet, pantomime, singing and music. It has a school for modern ballet The first performance of the theatre was the theatrical show Bohemian Rhapsody with music from the band Queen - in memory of the legendary singer Freddy Mercury. During  the years the Musical Theatre presented different shows amongst which are Prostituzia (Prostitution) (Prostitution) and E zhednevie (Daily Round) by Nikolay Serafimov in s cript and choreography, as well as the infant musical Vulshebnikat ot OZ (The Magi cian  from OZ). OZ). The th eatre was included in the programme of the European month of the culture 1999 with the dance show Ezhednevie Ezhe dnevie (Daily Round).

Plovdiv Drama Theatre E-3, ul. Knyaz Aleksandar I Batenberg 38, tel. 63 23 45, [email protected], www.dtp. bg.

Puppet Theatre Plovdiv D-1, ul. Hristo Danov 14, tel. 032 62 32 75.

L’union de Paris D-3, ul. Krivolak 3, tel. 032 62 07 17, [email protected]. 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun.

QOpen

10:00 - 19:00, Sat 

Romfeya B-2, bul. Maritsa 83, tel. 032 95 06 08, [email protected], www.romfeya.net. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun.

Terra Art A-2, ul. Zlatyo Boyadzhiev 9A, tel. 032 94 06 37/0878 330 059, [email protected]. 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

QOpen

May-August 2009

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CuLture & events Cultural Centre TRAKART

Famous Bulgarians Atanas Krustev (Nacho Kulturata) is the man who rebuilt 

Cultural Centre TRAKART F-3, underpass Archaeological, tel. 032 63 13 03, fax 032 95 19 98, [email protected], www.trakart.org. Open: 09:00-19:00 The Cultural Centre TRAKART presents a permanent  exhibition of ancien t floor mosaics (4th-5th century AD) of  the “Eirene” peristyl e residential building of ancien t Philippopol. The residential residen tial building “Eirene” occupies a central place among the private houses in the ancient Philippopol. It dates back to 4th-6th century and possibly was the residence of an eminent citizen of th e Old Town. Town. The building is designed for receiving guests which becomes clear from the inscriptions in the mosaic fields, situated along the passage from the entrance to the large room with a woman’s woman’s image and th e inscription EIPHNH. Twenty years after the mosaics were discovered they  were preserved and exhibited by the “Trakart 2000” Foundation, supported supported by the fund of th e ambassadors of the US State Department. They are exhibited in the so-called Archaeological underpass, situated to the south of the Three Hills. The Cul tural Centre Trakart Trakart has a cham ber hall, which i s a good example example of combining the museum character of the exposition and the cultural events in Plovdiv-exhibitions, Plovdiv-exhibitions, concerts, s eminars, eminars, etc. The Centre is located in the pedestrian Archaeological underpass. The site is easily accessible, there is convenient parking in the neighbourhood (the parking of the Catholic cathedral of St. Ludwig) on the southern side of the th e Tunnel. Tunnel.

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

and brought to li fe the Old Plovdiv. The nickname Nacho Kulturata (The Culture Nacho) is the acknowledgement of the people of  Plovdiv of their Mayor for whom the Old Town Town had been a tru e calling, for 32 years. Atanas Krustev was born on Septem ber 17, 17, 1922 in A ssenovgrad. He graduated from Sofia University i n Law as a part-time student. Until 1953 he was an offi cer in the town of  Dobrich and in 1954 he was hired by Plovdiv Municipality as an inspector in the Department of Science, Art  and Culture, which was involved in the management  of the Old Town, its museums, The Art Gallery and the Union of Plovdiv Ar tists. This is how the unique architectural and art complex became a significant  part of th e life of Krustev. In 1969 Atanas Krustev  founded the Division ‘Old Plovdiv’ which he would run till 1986. He was the key initiator and motor behind the excavation, restoration and reconstruction of the Ancient Amphitheatre and the Roman Stadium. He was the convener and organizer of the national chamber  autumn exhibi tions in the Old Town, Town, which have been running annually since 1970. He was especially proud of the permanent exhibitions and museum shows of  the two remarkable Bulgarian painters – Zlatyu Boyadjiev and Georgi Bozhilov – Elephant. During his day  and thanks to his active involvement and dedication, the Old Plovdiv is awarded the UNESCO Gold Medal  for its contribution for the preservation of European architectural heritage and culture. For his contribution to the development of culture Atanas Krustev received the title of Eminent Cultural Worker in 1974, 1974, the order of St C yril and Meth odius 1st rank and the order of Stara Planina. He was awarded an honorar y citizen of Plovdiv. He died in 2003. Tsvetana Maneva is a famous Bulgarian actress and one of  the most beautiful faces in the history of the Bulgarian theatre and cinema. Sh e was born at the end of Januar y, 65 years ago in Plovdiv, where she also had her  debut on stage, while she was still a student. Since 1963 till now she has performed in more than 50 roles. For a couple of years Tsvetana Tsvetana Maneva participated in political life, but nowadays she prefers helping young people who have decided to devote their lives to cinema and theatre. She is the artistic director of the m ovie festival Varnensko lyato (Varna’s Summer). The longest and most sincere role in her li fe has been her marria ge to another famous Bulgarian – the actor Yavor Milushev, lasting for already 35 years. Some of the most popular movies she played in are: “One Calor y Of Tenderness”, “Dangerous Char m”, m”, “The War Of The Hedgeho gs” and “The Marriages Of Yoan Asen”. Asen”. In 1982 she was awarded the ti tle “National Actress”, given to the acknowledged actors during Socialism, and in 2004 she was awarded the order “Stara Planina” for her contribu tion to the Bulgarian theatre and cinema.

CuLture & events Antique Theatre Plovdiv The An tique Theatre of Plovdiv is famous all over  Bulgaria Bulgaria for i ts wonderful open-air per formances formances and i ts Opera Festival every summer. summer. The Plovdiv Opera, The Philharmonic Orchestra and The Antique Theatre joine d together to form The Plovdiv Opera and Philharmonic Societ y.

XXIII XXIII Music Festival At The Open-Air Ancient Theatre June 16 – July 3, 2009 Starting hour– 19:00, tickets: 10-25Lv 16 June

Simone Boccanegra G. Verdi

19 June

Carmina Burana C. Orff 

24 June

Norma V. Bellini

30 Jun

La Belle Helene J. Offenbach

02 July

La Belle Helene J. Offenbach

3 July

Concert  Theodosiy Theod osiy Spassov & friends friends

Depending on the weather, the programme may changed.

May-August 2009

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where to stay Accommodation i n Plovdiv has many faces and is found in all the (un)usual classes. Any taste is catered for. Efficien t  modern business, high class Russian, romantic antique Bulgarian revival style hide-outs, and most amusing private lodgings just take your pick. During the International Fair do book way in advance!

Symbol key P Air conditioning 

 A Credit cards accepted

O Casino

H Conference facilities

T Child friendly 

Facilities for th e disabled U Facilities

Cream of the crop

R Internet 

L Guarded parking 

Dedeman Trimontium Trimontium Princess Pr incess Plovdiv F-3, ul.

F Fitness centre

Non-smoking rooms G Non-smoking

Kapitan Raicho 2, tel. 032 60 50 00, fax 032 60 50 09, [email protected], www.dedeman.com. At a magnific magnific ent location in the hear t of the city, city, the hotel offers offers fine accommodation in a range of tastefully decorated rooms and suites. An excellent choice of facilities facilities for  both business and leisure. Ex tras include two restaurants, one terrace café, three bars, indoor and ou tdoor swimming  pool, good business and conference ser vices. Keeping up with its reputation, the hotel also hosts the local Rotary club. For more information on pricing, please ch eck  their website. Q158 rooms (12 suites €130 - 150, 142 Standard room €95 - 115, 3 Executive room €130 - 150, 1 Presidental suite €250 - 300). POJHAFLB�

K Restaurant 

M Nearest metro station

D Sauna

C Swimming pool

6 Animal friendly 

W Wi-Fi connection

KDCW hhhh III Obedinitel Obedini tel 42, tel. Hotel Maritsa B-3, bul. Tsar Boris III 032 90 03 00, fax 032 95 27 27, maritza.hotel@vghotel. maritza.ho tel@vghotel. net, www.victoria-group.net w ww.victoria-group.net.. Located exactly opposite the gates of the Internati onal Fair of Plovdiv Plovdiv on th e bank of Maritsa River. River. This place will impress you by i ts style, especially if you want to feel like an Arabian sheikh. The apartments of the Hotel are in red and gold and the bathrooms combine the stylish red and black. The hotel has two restaurants and one of them may b e used for private parties. In the foyer you can buy clothes from the boutique shop or visit the beauty  salon. Q94 rooms (17 singles €50, 68 doubles €80 - 120, 8 apartments €140, 1 Presidential Apartment €200).

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Novotel Plovdiv A-2, ul. Zlatyo Boyadzhiev 2, tel. 032 93 44 44/032 93 45 67, fax 032 93 43 46, reservation@ r eservation@ novtelpdv.bg, novtelpdv.bg, www.icep. ww w.icep.bg. bg. This business class hotel is located very close to the International Plovdiv Fair and this is why it is preferred by many business people and by the organizers organizers of conferences and symposia. The h otel composes of three restaurants, lobby bar, night club and many shops on the first floor flo or.. The foyer is spacious with wit h remarkable black  marble flooring. The staff are skilled and polite. Q365 rooms (singles (singl es €90, doubles double s €120, apartmen apart ments ts €180 - 360).

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Upmarket 

Alliance Hotel J-7, bul. Vasil Aprilov 7, tel. 032 64 63 33/0878 120 369, fax 032 64 63 30, reservation@ alliancehotel.com, www.alliancehotel.com. This four  star hotel is located not far from the city centre. Th ey have a rich collection of banknotes from all over the world. All rooms are with pleasant modern furniture, cable TV and mini bar. There is also a conference hall plus a nice sports and relax centre. Th ere are a lot of restaurants and clubs in the area, so put on your best clothes, and hit th e town. Q25 rooms (10 singles €51, 10 doubles €72 - 82, 4 suites €100, 1 apartment €151). €151). PHARFLB�

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Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Art Hotel Boris Palace D-3, ul. Saborna 49, tel. 032 26 63 79/0888 260 456, [email protected]. This small hotel with onl y 5 rooms is built on 9 floors, 5 of which are underground dergroun d and is the only ho tel in the Old Town Town of Plovdiv with an elevator. The rooms are designed in Baroque style with wooden furniture and are a mixture of the ultra mo dern and old. Every Every thing here screams luxur y. There is a small swimming pool on one of the underground floors, a restaurant for  32 with wit h Bulgarian cuisine, a l obby bar, a panorama bar, bar, 3 fireplaces, 4 VIP halls for 6 people with separate bathrooms and a pull down bed. Here you are going to be ser ved with gilded cutler y and spoiled like a king. Enjoy! Q5 rooms (5 doubles  €85 - 140). PJA6IFBKDX PJA6IFBKDXCW CW hhh hh h

Hebros Hotel C-3, ul. Konstantin Stoilov 51A, tel. 032 26 01 80, fax 032 26 02 52, [email protected], [email protected], www. hebros-hotel.com/index.php. Some people have all the luck in the world and in this case having th e luxury to stay in a special place like the Hebros. Located in the Old Town of  Plovdiv even the interior lives up to the area i t is situated in. From the beautifully restored façade to the tiniest detail in every corner of the hotel you will find the Bulgarian Revival style - the b eds, the chairs and the tables. The only discrepancies are the TV an d the refrigerator; refrigerator; they simply do not blen d in. Highly recommended for a romantic stay. Q11 rooms (1 single €89 - 119, 8 doubles €139, 1 apartment €150).

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Hotel Leipzig G-1, bul. Ruski 70, tel. 032 65 40 00/032 65 40 44, fax 032 64 34 04, [email protected], www.leipzig.bg. This is one of the oldest hotels in the city, situated in the centre, next to Bunardzhika tepe (hill) and very close to the Central Railway and Bus Station. It was thoroughly renovated in the autumn of 2008, when part of  the rooms where substantially enlarged (120 rooms were made into 63). The rooms are decorated with individual interior design. The cheaper single or double rooms are smaller and the somewhat m ore expensive (10-20 (10-20 EUR) are quite spacious. The bathrooms are with bath tubs or shower  cabins. The apartments are with chic design and Jacuzzi in the bathroom. The executive suite has a bedroom, living  room, office, office, re creational room, kitchenette, dining room for  6, and bathroom with shower cabin, sauna and plasma TV and massage room with Jacuzzi. The rooms have satellite TV, TV, electronic safe, telephone telephone and electronic lo ck. The h otel also has 4 elevators, elevators, video se curity, curity, room ser vice, fire alarm, change bureau, laundry laundry and dr y cleaning services, non-stop lobby bar and 6 conference rooms. Q63 rooms (19 singles  €27 - 48, 8 doubles €32 - 58, 25 Double superior: €40 - 68, 8 Business apartment: €51 - 98, 2 Apartment de lux: €61 

where to stay - 118, 1 Executive apartment: €126 - 168). PHAR�

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Noviz Hotel D-1, bul. Ruski 55, tel. 032 63 12 81/032 63 41 51, fax 032 63 34 65, [email protected], hotel. noviz.com. This hotel is loca ted in the very heart of Plovdiv,  just at th e foot of one of the seven Plovdiv Plovdiv hills - the Bunardjik  Park. The Cen tral railway station, th e International Fair, Fair, the Old Town and downtown Plovdiv are easily accessible. The bathrooms are with bathtub, hairdryer, hairdryer, telephone and h eating. There’s a restaurant and open-air cocktail bar “On the seventh sky”. Day trips around Plovdiv plus visits to wine cellars and wine tasting are also available on request. Q20 rooms (4 singles €55, 10 doubles €70, 6 apar tments €80 90). PHALKDW hhhh

Park hotel Sankt Peterbur Peterburg g A-2, bul. Bulgaria 97, tel. 032 91 03/032 95 18 30, fax 032 95 18 30, [email protected], www.sphotel.net. Why this hotel does not hold 5 instead of 4 stars remains till now a m ystery. The luxury luxur y is literally overwhelming, especially compared to others in its class. Where the façade suggests an old Communist  design, inside await you many pleasant surprises. From the reception to your room all is top top class. Heavenly Heavenly b eds, luxur y  bathrooms and oth er facilities like multiple classy restaurants, restaurants, multiple swimming pools and even a night club contribu te to your well being. Well done! Q210 rooms (42 singles €60, 42 doubles double s €110, 21 apartmen ts €150, 105 Studio: €90 - 110). 110).

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The Old Town Residence D-3, ul. Knyaz Tseretelev 11, tel. 032 62 07 89/032 63 23 89, residence@abv. bg, www.theoldtownresidence.com. A small hotel found in the h eart of the Old Town Town of Plovdiv. Plovdiv. The place i s designed to take you back to the times of tsarist Rus sia - marble floors, wallpapers and and ceilings with gilded coloure d elements, crystal chandeliers, big mirrors, heavy antique wooden furniture, paintings. The beds are covered with lace or satin. The apartments are large, especially the VIP apartment whose living room is 200 sq. m. All rooms have satellite TV. The bathrooms are with bathtub. Q10 rooms (10 apartments  €40 - 80). PJALBKDXCW

Mid-range Best Western Hotel Bulgaria E-3, ul. Patriarh Evtimii 13, tel. 032 63 35 99, [email protected], www.hotelbulgaria.net. The h otel is situated on the main trade and pedestrian street of the city. It was renovated after becoming a part of the Best Western chain of hotels. The rooms are clean and de corated simply and tastefully. tastefully. In the ba throoms you will find shampoo and li quid soap only, only, so don’t forget your tooth-brush, shower gel and tooth-paste. In the extensive foyer there are paintings and comfortable chairs and sofas. The girl behind th e reception desk is friendly  friendl y  and smiling. Its location makes it very suitable for all kinds of activities during your stay in Plovdiv - either business or  holiday. Q59 rooms (singles €62 - 76, doubles €82 - 96).

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Complex Aqualand K-9, ZhK Trakia, tel. 032 99 42 22/032 68 89 18, fax 032 99 42 43, [email protected], [email protected], ww w.aqualand.bg. The complex compl ex is found found in Jk Trakia Trakia (neighbourh ood), at th e end of ul. Saedinenie, 15 min  from the centre by car. car. On one side is th e amusement water  park part and on the other the socialist apartmen t blocks of  Trakia. The hotel is newly built. The rooms are large, especially the apartm ents, viewing the aqua park, some of them are with balconies and are decorated in either Bordeaux or  silver fish blue colours. Th ere is Cable TV, TV, mini-bar, mini-bar, telephone telephon e

and room service. The bathrooms bath rooms are with showers and and white and black tiles. Th e hotel has a h ealth spa offering offering massages, solarium, hair styling salon, etc. (www.olympia.bg). Th e sauna and steam bath are included in the price. During th e summer  months you can also use th e amusement park for free. free. The hotel hosts a 10-line bowling hall (open 09:03, 4-5 Lv) and children’s kindergar kindergar ten with animators. The restaurant (open: 08:03) offers international cuisine. There is a conference hall for about 40 people. Q36 rooms (6 singles €29, 17  doubles €34, 13 Studio €42 - 104). POTHAFL�

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Euro Hotel I-7, bul. Bulgaria 144, tel. 032 96 77 31/032 96 77 32, fax 032 96 77 33, eurohotel@mail. bg, www.eurohotel.hit.bg. This four-storey hotel is found close to the International Fair Plovdiv, on a main boulevard. The rooms are spacious and an d elegant, in green, pink and brown colours, with with single or double bed s, nightstands and writing  desks. There is cable TV, mini bar, safe box, telephone and  fridge. The bathrooms are with showers. The luxury studio has a Jacuz zi. The h otel offers offers 24 hour room service, laundry  and dry cleaning. The restaurant is for 63 and during the summer months they have a terrace for 80 and garden for  120 people. The cuisine is national and international. Extra bed costs 10 - 20 €. Q15 rooms (1 single €35 - 53, 12 doubles double s €51 - 76, 1 Studio €60 - 92, 1 Studio lu x €80 - 120).

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Guest House Romantika ul. Gurko 17, tel./fax 032 62 26 75, [email protected], [email protected], ww w.hotelromantica.net. Situated at th e very centre of the cit y, this renovated old house is turned into a small and homey quest house with a restaurant and a garden. garden. They offer offer apartments, wi th kitchenette. Th e colours are orange, yellow and red. Gustav Klimt’s reproductions on the walls and the spiral stairway gi ve an intimate feeling, in which you feel like home. Q7 rooms (1 single 40BGN, 3 suites 60BGN, 1 apartment 80BGN, 1  Apartmen t Lux 90BGN). 90BGN). PJAGKW hhh Hotel-Hostel Filibe Philipopolis D-4, ul. Мetropolit Panaret 7, tel. 032 26 90 83/0888 033 044, alieva_s@ abv.bg. At the foot of th e Old Town Town of Plovdiv this t his place offers home comfort at a ffordable fordable prices. The entran ce and lobby  are decorated with a mi xture of antique and mo dern trinkets. trinkets. There is a l obby bar with stools, billiards billiards and big comfortable leather sofa and armchairs facing a big flat TV and good sound system, where you can watch footb football all or other TV events you don’t want to miss. The rooms are big, furnished furnish ed with mo dern  furniture, double or twin beds, night stands, armchairs and wardrobe. There is a possibility of an additional bed in the rooms. The bathrooms are with showers. All rooms have cable TV and an d mini-bar. mini-bar. Breakfast is not includ included. ed. Q10 rooms (10 doubles €30 - 50). PJAUGBXW hh

Hotel Alafrangite D-4, ul. Kiril Nektariev 13, tel. 032 62 31 87/032 62 09 83, fax 032 26 95 95, alafrangite@ alafrangite @ abv.bg, www.restorant ww w.restorant-alafrang -alafrangite.org. ite.org. Located in the Old Town of Plovdiv this family run h otel is newl y built, but following the architectural trend of the surrounding Renaissance buildings. It has a small garden, garden, comfortable lobby wi th leather  leath er  sofas and nicely dec orated common areas. Here nothing is too much, but just enough. Th e rooms are neat, comfortable; medium sized and decorated in red and orange. The bathrooms are in green with douche douch e cabins. cabins. The apartments hold a sofa in beige and wrought iron table. The rooms have cable TV, TV, mini-bar and parqu et flooring. floori ng. Th ere is a garage for 10 cars and conference hall for 40. Q14 rooms (2 singl es €34 - 62, 10 doubles €48 - 118, triples €68, 2 apartments €60 - 140, Extra bed). PJHALGBKXW hhh

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where to stay Hotel Belle Ville D-4, ul. P. R. Slaveykov 24-26, tel.

tel. /fax 032 62 Hotel Mirena E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 64, tel./fax

032 62 39 31/0878 695 810, fax 032 62 39 32, [email protected], www.belleville.hit.bg. Found in the Old Town of Plovdiv this small 3-storey hotel is hosted in a restored Renaissance house, monument of culture. The rooms are arranged and painted in the spirit of the Renaissance style. st yle. All rooms are in different different colours - from navy blue to red and ochre. The apartments are bigger and furnished with restored wooden antique furniture. One of the rooms has the original “gossip” window. The bathrooms are with showers and two have bathtubs. All rooms have mini-bar, telephone and cabl e TV. TV. A great atmosphere atm osphere that will take you back in time without depriving you of the modern comforts. Q8 rooms (6 doubles €36 - 46, 2 apartments €90 - 120).

05 60, tel. 0885 945 788, reservation@mirenahotel. com, www.mirenahotel.com. A small, modern four-storey  hotel close to the centre. I t is newl y built and offers offers comfortable, stylish rooms in Bordeaux, grey and blue colours with patterned floor. The double rooms are medium sized and come with double or twin bed. The bathrooms are with douche cabin or bath tub, hairdryer and big mirror. mirror. The apar tment is big ger and holds a Jacuzzi. All rooms have electronic locks, glass table with chair/s, cable TV with LCD screen, telephones, personal electronic safe and mini-bar. The restaurant is with European cuisine and special vegetarian and diet menu. The conference hall holds up to ten people and has all necessary equipment. Q28 rooms (7 singles €46, 20 doubles €56, 1 apartment €67). PHARULG�

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Hotel Dafi D-3, ul. Georgi Benkovski 23, tel. 032 62

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Hotel Renaissance E-4, pl. Vazrazhdane 1, tel. 032

00 41, fax 032 62 94 34, [email protected], www. hoteldafi.com. Who has not dreamed of a circle shaped bed and a Jacuzzi wi thin the same suite? Are your fantasies tickled? If so, check out hotel Dafi. Located at the foot of  the Old Town hills, this hotel is a charming place to relax and enjoy your holiday or business trip. All rooms meet highs standards, are clean clean and furnished wi th wooden furniture in beige and peach. Th e hotel comprises of a good restaurant  on the first floor; unfortunately here the quite modern style is not in line wi th your chosen suite so if inde ed you seek to impress that lady…ROOM SERVICE! SERVICE! Ah, and what ab out this  for  for a tip - lead h er to the upper floor of the h otel and dazzle her with the amazing panoramic view. Q22 rooms (7 single singles s  €50, 9 doubles €62, 2 apartmen ts €87, 4 Double Studio Studi o €72, Extra bed). PJARLGKX hhh

26 69 66/0898 502 590, [email protected], www.renaissance-bg.com. This small hotel is found at  one of the entrances to the Old Town of Plovdiv in a restored house from the Renaissance period. Every room is in a dif ferent colour and has unique ceiling drawings. Three of the rooms are furnished entirely with restored antique furniture with fretwork and two with contemporary furniture designed in the antique st yle. Two Two of the rooms are with twin beds and the other three wi th double beds. All of the rooms have night  stands, wardrobe, mirror, cable TV and modern bathroom with shower cabins. Overall a charming place where you can spend an unforgettable holiday in the spirit of th e past. Q5 rooms (4 doubles double s €69 - 79, 1 Studio Studio €80 - 90). PJAG�

Hotel Elite C-2, ul. Raiko Daskalov 53, tel. 032 62

Hotel Rusalka I-7, bul. Dunav 194 A, tel. 032 96 96

45 37, [email protected], www.hotel-elite.eu. This hotel may not have extra facilities like fitness, restaurant  or a bar, bar, but i t perfectly well serves the needs of a practical and comfortable accommo dation in the c entre of Plovdiv. Plovdiv. A   five-minute walk away from the main downtown area, it is in immediate proximity to a bus stop, a historical museum, the old part of Plovdiv and many shops and cafés. All in all it has eight double rooms, half of which have been recently  renovated. Two of the rooms have separate single beds and the rest host queen size beds, be ds, with four of of the rooms allowing  the addi tion of a third extra bed for the price of 19 leva. Each Each room is decorated decora ted in a different different colour theme, red, purple and so on, and has a Wi-Fi connection, a mini-bar mini-bar and a TV with satellite channels. Children under the age of 10 stay for free. During the th e Plovdiv Fair room prices change chan ge and vary each year. year. Q8 rooms (8 doubles €25 - 31). PAW

10/032 96 96 30, fax 032 96 96 20, inf o@hotelrusalka. com, www.hotelrusalka.com. The h otel is found close to the International Fair Plovdiv. It is a relatively new building  on six floors wi th an elevator. elevator. The rooms are medium sized, well-appointed with comfortable single or double beds, nightstands, writing-desk and decorated in brown and crème colours. The presid ential suite is wh at you should go for. for. It has h as two bedrooms, spacious living room with luxurious leather  seating on one side and a dining/conference dining/conference table for 16 on the other oth er.. Of course, there is a Jacuzzi too. All the rooms ha ve a mini bar, bar, telephone, satelli te TV, TV, small bathrooms ei ther with wi th showers or with shower cabins and most have balconies. There is an outside swimming pool with a bar and chaises longues. Q 25 rooms (singles 29 - 47BGN, 19 doubles 39 - 72BGN, 5 triples 57 - 110BGN, 1 Presidential suite: 77 123BGN). PHA6ULKXCW hhh

Hotel Kendros C-4, bul. Shesti Septemvri 268, tel.

Hotel Seven Hills C-2, ul. Zhiten Pazar 6, tel. 032

032 63 63 03, fax 032 63 63 02, kendroshotel@mail. bg, www.kendroshotel.com. Relatively new structure with spacious modern rooms where the apartmen ts and studios are so huge you might feel like Alice in Wonderland. The rooms are furnished with ivory coloured leather sofas and armchairs and ebony coloured tables and bureaus. The walls are in rose-beige. rose-beige. The apartm ents come with king size be d, kitchenette, bar plot, stools and big mirror. The bathrooms are with shower or bathtub and hairdryer. All rooms have satellite TV, mini-bar, safe, phone and are with electronic locks. Th ere are 3 conference halls one for 20 and two for 60 people. The restaurant is elegant with in ternational cuisine. cuisine. It’s close to the c entre making it an ideal venue for business and leisure l eisure travellers alike. Q30 rooms (20 doubles €36 - 52, 4 apartm ents €52 - 77, 6 Studio €62). PHAUFLB�

66 03 99/032 66 01 99, [email protected]. Found at the foot of the Old Town of Plovdiv this hotel is a stylish and comfortable place for rest. The building is in the Renaissance style of Old Plovdiv. There are columns with decorative elements, the ceilings are hand-painted, and there are different decorative elements from wrought iron. The rooms are on th e small side and are decorated in brown and beige colours. Each room h as a nigh t stand, satellite T V, mini-bar and and safe. The bathrooms are with bathtubs. There is paid Wi-Fi internet. The single rooms are also sui table for  two persons. The lobby bar is with comfortable sofas and armchairs and is quite big. The restaurant has t wo halls for  40 and for 70 and a garden for 40. During the weekend they  have live piano music. The cuisine is international. Q20 rooms (8 singles €50 - 105, 7 doubles €60 - 115, 5 Studio  €60 - 130). PJHALBKXW hhh

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Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

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where to stay Odeon Hotel-Restaurant D-2, ul. Otets Paisiy 40, tel. 032 62 20 65/0887 976 890, fax 032 62 41 71, [email protected], [email protected], w ww.hotelodeon.net.The unique atmosphere atm osphere of this place will grab you from the first step. The staff will meet you with a warm welcome. One quick glance at the interior immediately gives you an art like impression and you’ll taste a creative atmosphere. The place is named after the archaeological excavations of the new Roman Odeon. Rooms come with wit h original design and furniture of oak. They offer also one and two day excursion packages. The restaurant offers offers specialties specialtie s from the Bulgarian and European cuisine. Bulgarian and En glish menu is i s available. You You can enjoy  selected colle ction of wines from New Zealand and Australia. Prices range from 9 to 27 leva. Q8 rooms (3 singles €58, 2 doubles €78, 2 apartments €100 - 120, 1 Luxury studio  €120). PJAILGBKXW hhh

Park Hotel Imperial J-8, ul. Arhitekt K. Petkov 1A, tel. 032 60 07 30/032 60 07 31, fax 032 60 07 35, [email protected], www.hotelimperial.bg. Fifteen minutes walk from from the cen tre, this fine hotel comes with 120 well furnished rooms. Extras include a pleasant restaurant  with two halls (140 seats), Business Centre, Conference Halls and completely new Sports and recreational centre with sauna, vertical turbo-solarium, and Infrared cabin for  slimming, fitness facilities, massage & other procedures. The hotel provides a pleasing atmosphere, especially the romantic park and the cosy lobby bar. Q120 rooms (40 singles €44, 60 doubles €58, 15 triples €72, 5 apartmen ts  €78). PHAUFLGBKD PHAUFLGBKDW W hhh

ers. All rooms have cable TV and mini-bar. There is a small yard. Breakfast is served in bed. There is a computer with Internet. Q8 rooms (3 singles €45, 3 doubles €45 - 50, 2 triples €55 - 65). PJB hh

Hotel Avion A-2, ul. Khan Presian 15, tel./fax 032 96 74 51, [email protected] [email protected], nfo, ww w.hotelavion.i w.hotelavion.info. nfo. A  small 3-star 3-star hotel l ocated opposite th e International Fair of  Plovdiv Plovdiv only five minutes from the centre. Style, ele gance and cosiness are what describe this place best. The reception desk is small and elegant. The rooms are well equipped and are in different bright colours. The hotel offers a sightseeing  tour round Plovdiv which will leave you with unforgettable memories. Q13 rooms (1 single €30, 2 doubles €54, 10 apartments €67). PJALGKXW hhh Hotel Bar Central D-3, ul. Konstantin Stoilov 7, tel. 032 62 23 48, [email protected]. Small cosy hotel in the centre of Plovdiv. It offers 5 studios, each able to accommodate 4 people. Charming Charmin g café-bar is at the guest’s guest’s disposal. There is no elevator, elevator, so reaching th e last floor could b e tiring. The interior is entirely in beige and brown. The furniture is leath er  and forged iron. The staff are polite. Q5 rooms (5 Studios  €30 - 40). PJN hh

Hotel Metropol A-2, bul. Bulgaria 11A, tel. 032 94 09 05/0888 342 214, fax 032 94 09 00, [email protected], www.hotel-metropol.net.It is located righ t next to the International Fair Plovdiv. The rooms are in red, caram el, rose and light wood colours, with single or double be ds, nightstands,

Philippopolis Hotel & Restaurant I-7, Brezovsko shose 145 A, tel. 032 90 48 60/032 90 48 61, fax 032 96 25 97, [email protected], www.hotelphilippopolis.com. This hotel is not far from the International Plovdiv Fair on the road to Brezovo and close to the Trakia highway. Contrary to the small, but comfortable lobby, the rooms are spacious and are decorated in brown, beige and white colours, with nightstand, table, fauteuil, and bureau. The bathroom has a shower cabin. The apartments are with bedroom and living room, arranged with double b ed and sofa in crème-coloured leather and the bathrooms come with bathtubs. There are SAT TV, mini bar and telephone. The hotel is quite elegant, decorated with pictures by Plovdiv artists. arti sts. Best Plovdiv family h otel for 2005. 2005. Not so close to the centre, but th ey insist they treat every guest with a personal touch. Q31 rooms (27 doubles €49, 4 apartments €67).

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Budget 

Art Hotel Dali D-2, ul. Otets Paisiy 11, tel. 032 62 15 30/0885 700 584, [email protected], www.hoteldali. hit.bg. Small hotel, located near th e Old Town. Town. Next to the reception area there is an ar t café displaying replicas of  Salvador Dali’s paintings. paintings. The Spirit of the great artist is interwoven into the furniture of the rooms. Book the luxur y  apartment wi th a Turkish Turkish bath and a panoramic view to the An cient Theatre and th e central commercial area. area. All rooms are furnished furnished with elegant style and de corated with reproductions of the ar twork of you guessed it already Salvador Dali. The staff are polite to th e extreme. Q8 rooms (3 doubles €45, 2 apartments €66, 3 Studios €55, 2 Ex tra bed €10). PJAW hhh Knya z Tseretelev Tseretelev 24, tel. 032 Bed & Breakfast D-3, ul. Knyaz 26 56 79, [email protected], www.bulguide.com/ bedbreakfast. Found in the Old Town of Plovdiv this small place offers offers just 3 rooms - two double-bed and one thre e-bed. The rooms are big with wooden furniture and painted with Renaissance style ceilings. The bathrooms are with show-

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where to stay bureau, SATSAT- TV, TV, mini bar an d telephone. Th e single rooms are with king size beds and the apartmen ts have leather seating  - sofa and fauteuil in champagne colours. The ba throoms throom s are with bath tubs. There is room service and dry cleaning. Wi-Fi is available at the lobby. There are shopping and business centres and hairdresser’s saloon. The restaurant is for 50. Q38 rooms (17 singles €29 - 58, 17 doubles €39 - 78, 4 apartments €57 - 114). 114). PR6ULKXW hhh

Plovdiv Guest D-3, ul.Saborna 20 Old town, tel. 032 62 24 32, fax 032 63 11 50, [email protected], ww w. cit y of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, this is a plovdivguest.com. Located in th e old city quiet place where you can can relax after a long sigh tseeing day  and naughty night. The guest house offers private rooms, 4, 8 and 10-bed room dorms. Free breakfast and Wi-Fi. The staff speak English. Q12 rooms ( Dorm bed). € 10 - € 50.

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Hostels

Breakfast in self-catering kitchen (08:00-12:00), free coffee all day long, sheets and towels, hot showers, Wi-Fi and a computer with Internet are all included in the price. There is laundry service and you can also buy a beer. Smoking is allowed only in the garden. There is no che ck-out, curfew or  lock-out. The place a ttracts all kinds of budget travellers and the party par ty in the th e garden can go go on till the morning. Th e staff are very friendly friendl y, English speaking and party animals themsel ves. Q (2 doubles €13 - 27, 14 Dorm bed €11 - 12, 1 Loff bed  €9, Tent/plank bed be d €6 - 7). PJIGBW

Hostel Centre E-3, ul. Knyaz Alexander I Batenberg 31, tel. 0885 868 725. Found on the central pedestrian street, on the 3rd floor of an old commercial building, this hostel just opened this year. You have to climb steep stairs, which will leave you breathless, but the place is worth it, because of its top location and price. The medium sized, white coloured, double rooms provide wooden beds and a wardrobe. wardrobe. The bathroom and toilet are shared. Th ey provide

Guest House Elena C-4, ul. P. R. Slaveykov 9, tel. 032 26 88 57. This hostel is an old house built in the inside yard of another another Renaissance style house in th e Old Town of Plovdiv. The house composes of 2 rooms with double bed, one room with a double and single bed used as dorm and a single b ed room. There is a shared bathroom with bathtub on th e ground floor. floor. The furni ture is old, socialist type. In th e rooms there are a lot of b ooks, cabinets and trinkets from old times. The atm osphere is of a family home, which takes you back in time. There is a small yard with outside seating and a mini garden garden with home-grown tomatoes. The owner ba ba Elena (granny  Elena) is extremely friendly and even though she do esn’t  speak English you will be able to communicate just fine (she has a piec e of paper with writ ten words in English which she will readily use). This is a perfect place for budget travellers or tourists tourists with l ove for for the au thentic an d old. If you have an oversensitive nose and love for sterile sterile cleanliness this otherwise charmin g place is not a good choice for you. Best is to just drop by or call in the evening. Q (singles  €8 - 11). JBX

Hikers Hostel Plovdiv D-3, ul. Saborna 53, tel. 0885 194 553/0896 764 854, [email protected], www.hikers-hostel.bg. Found in the Old Town of Plovdiv this place is one of the most visi ted hostels in Plovdiv. Plovdiv. It ha s a twin private room, one mixed dorm for 8, a twin balcony  bed, camp-beds, and place for 4 tents. (Down the street they  have another house with 1 double room and a dorm for 6.)

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

ventilators ventilators for the h ot summer days and ni ghts. Breakfast is not included, bu t there is a snack bar. bar. Q5 rooms (5 doubles  €21). JX hh

Hotel Fenix K-7, ul. Silivria 18A, tel. 032 69 36 75/0876 237 313, f [email protected] [email protected],, w ww.fenixclub. hit.bg. This small family family hotel is ab out ten minutes away by  taxi from the centre of town. It has only six double rooms and it  is advised advi sed to book ahead, as many of their guests are regular  and can have the rooms filled in ad vance. It feels as if you are staying at someone’s house rath er than at a hotel. There is no breakfast or a restaurant, fitness or other addi tional facilifacilities. The place fulfils the basics you might nee d from a hotel in a foreign city. Q6 rooms (6 doubles €24). P

where to stay

Apartmentt rental Apartmen rental Apartt Tourist Apar Tourist Company I-8, bul. Bulgaria 4, tel. 032 90 89 60/0886 808 063, [email protected], www. ori-bg.com. On a main boulevard close to the centre, right  next to the northern entry of the International Fair Plovdiv, this modern complex offers apartments designed in bright, warm colours. They differ in size and some of them have kitchenette, leather si tting area, meetings’ corner and one or  two bedrooms. Each apartment apartm ent has a bureau, cable TV, TV, direct  telephone/fax, personal safe and balcony. The ba throoms are with ba thtubs. Breakfast costs 7Lv 7Lv per person. Th e parking  costs 2Lv up to 2 hours, 5Lv per 24 h ours for a car or van and and 12Lv for a bus. The conference room costs 80Lv up to 4 hours and 140 up to 8 hours. Prices Prices are higher during th e International Fair Plovdiv. Q 33 rooms (4 Apartmen t small  €26 - 50, 4 Apartm Apartment ent medium €31 - 60, 5 Apartment big €41  - 80, 10 Apartm Apartment ent with kitchene tte €47 - 90, 90, 10 Apartment  with 2 b edrooms €57 - 108). 108). PHRLX hhh

Bright House D-2, ul. Georgi Benkovski 21, tel. 032 65 08 00/0888 342 573, [email protected], www. brighthouse-pl.com. Bright House offers seven luxurious apartments. Six of th em consist of a double bedroom, living  room with a kitchen, a bath room and a terrace. The seventh one includes two bedrooms and balconies with a view to the Old Town. The interior is coloured in brown and beige. The walls are are decorated with paintings by students from the Art  School in Plovdiv. The building has no elevator. There is no restaurant, but the owner provides breakfast at a cost of    €6. Guests enjoy 10% discount in a modern solar studio. Q8 rooms (6 Apartment (1 bedroom) €55, 1 Apartment (2 bedroom) €82). PJAGW hhh

Complex Podem I-7, bul. Dunav 51, tel. 032 94 66 88/0894 66 50 92, fax 032 94 66 90, office@podem-bg. com, www.podem-bg.com. This new apartment building  hosts 5 apartments (in June they will be 10). It i s close to the

International Fair Fair Plovdiv and i f you are looking for more privacy than in a hotel, this migh t be a good place to chose. Each apartment has cable and satellite TV and security system. For an additional payment you can also have a video intercom. The building has a m onolithic staircase and spee d elevator. elevator. There is an exquisite restaurant with open-air terrace with lots of greenery. greenery. The building is class “A” in technology with  fire safety, safety, automatic lighting and video surveillance. For high energy efficiency the building has a façade of heat isolation with silicate finish, low emission glass, energy saving lighting, armoured doors, etc. The building has central heating, combined with aircon system. The building entr y is guarded by a polite concierge. The parking is paid for additionally. Q5 rooms (2 Two-bedroom apartment: €36 - 62, 3 Threebedroom apartmen t €36 - 62). 62). PULXW

Out of town Racic Hotel selo Voyvodinovo, zapad, tel. 0887 926 167/032 63 07 17, fax 032 62 06 02, racic_bg@yahoo. com, ww w.racicbg.co w.racicbg.com. m. This family hotel is found just 15 min away from Plovdiv, on the main stre et of Voyvodino village (where one of the big gest equestrian bases on the Balkans is situated). The two-storey building hosts 5 double rooms and 4 apartmen ts (In June there will be additional 11 double rooms and 2 apartmen ts). The rooms decorated in different  different  colours - beige, orange, Bordeaux or blue, are either with single or double wooden beds, a divan with a table, night  stands and wardrobe. They have TV, TV, phone, fridge and bathroom with shower. There is Wi-Fi in the lobby bar. Breakfast  is not included. Racic Restaurant is famous for its Serbian grill (Srbska skara) prepared on charcoal. They also serve Bulgarian national dishes and fish. The restaurant has 60 seats inside, winter garden for 100 and 300 seats outside, next to the swimming pool. Q9 rooms (5 doubles doubl es €26 - 50, 4 apartments €45 - 85). PTLNBKXC hh

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restaurants Like everywhere in the country service is traditionally on the slow side, but is gradually i mproving. Most of the local restaurants are surely worth your visit where th ey still serve the original Rodopi recipe s. The prices in brackets refer to the average cost of a main cour se.

Beliyat Payak (The White Spider) E-3, ul. Doctor

E Live music

S Take away 

Valkovitch 6, tel. 0876 050 544/032 62 46 51, danfamily tavern [email protected]. This place is a t ypical family underground. The story goes i t once used to be a wine cellar  in which somebody found a white spider and hence the name today. The ceiling is a little low with the usual traditional decorations on the walls. The cooking is okay and th e prices are normal. Menu includes traditional Bulgarian salads and grill. During During the th e warm days in the summer a small bar looking  out to one of th e main streets opens up upstairs, with tables outside, so you have the choi ce of the tavern downstairs or  the bar outside. QOpen 09:00 - 03:00. (6-9Lv). P

T Child friendly 

Facilities for the disabled U Facilities

Bulgarska kushta (Bulgarian house) D-3, ul. Sab-

G Non-smoking areas

L Guarded parking 

O Casino

M Nearest station

R Internet 

6 Animal friendly 

orna 31, tel. 032 62 42 49/0896 685 828. You’ll hardly  har dly   find a local person who does not know this Bulgarian house restaurant at the entrance to th e Old Town. Town. The main hall is  fully folk-style designed, and on top of it there is a hu ge terrace covered with Bul garian rugs. There is also a special VIP area. The music musi c is folk. We We believe, however, however, that th e most beautiful b eautiful thing here is not the menu, the service or the atmosphere, but the wonderful view to the city. Unforgettable! QOpen 10:30 - 01:00. (3-15Lv). PNB

Symbol key P Air conditioning 

 A Credit cards accepted

Armenian Erevan D-2, ul. Otets Paisiy 29, tel. 0898 658 839. Cosy  restaurant in the central city area of Plovdiv. Furniture is in yellow and orange, and the walls are decorated with black and white photographs of the Old Plovdiv. Plovdiv. Warm atmosphere, good service, delicious Armenian dishes prepared according to original recipes. recipe s. We recommen d to have your coffee coffee here with a friend, and to order Anush Abur with ice cream (2.60Lv) or  Armenian baklava. Visitors are mainly representatives of art  circles, politicians, poli ticians, foreigners. Tr Tr y it out and you will not regret  it. QOpen 09:00 - 22:00. Closed Sun. (3-10Lv). PJN 

Dayana I E-2, ul. Dondukov 3, tel. 032 62 30 27. This restaurant is located in the city centre. You can enjoy here typical Bulgarian cuisine and especially grilled meat of any  kind. It composes of 90 places inside and one hundred under the sky’s ceiling. A perfect place to organize parties. The Dayana chain has other restaurants in Plovdiv: Dayana II, bul.Tsar Boris III and Dayana III, ul. Dondukov 7. QOpen non - stop. (10-41Lv). JIGBSW III, I, tel. 032 63 30 59/0888 Dayana II F-3, bul. Tsar Boris II

Bulgarian

30 24 08. This is maybe the onl y one place in the centre of  Plovdiv, where you can have either eith er warm soup or a grilled grille d steak  24 hours a day. Designed in a typical traditional Bulgarian style and Bulgarian cuisine - what you see on the pictures in the menu is what you really get. The portions are big, tasty  and not expensive - variety of salads, grilled meals, fish and maybe th e best b eefsteak in Plovdiv Plovdiv.. The grilled dishes are made over charcoal. Another important detail is the large terrace with a view to th e boulevard. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00.

PJIBXS

Grazhdanski Klub (Civil Club) D-3, ul. Stoyan Chala-

Alafrangite D-4, ul. Kiril Nektariev 17, tel. 032 26 95 95/0888 312 436, [email protected], www. restorant-alafrangite.org. Popular not only among locals but also among tourists, this restaurant restaurant is lo cated near one of the entrances to the Old Town. Go up the stairs covered with greener y to enter the inside yard offer offering ing a co ol retreat. The interior is simple, the tables and chairs are wooden. Every Every nigh t visitors can enjoy live music performed on piano and violin. We recommend trying the restaurant specialty vreteno “Alafrangite” “Alafrangite” and th e chef’s specialty “Chicken “Chicken fillet  in stomna”. Bulgarian and English menu is available. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. (8-15Lv). PALENGB

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

kov 1, tel. 032 62 41 39/0889 766 866. This restaurant  used also as a meeting place for prominent prominent Plovdivians and political communities since the beginning of the last century is  found in the Old Town Town of Plovdiv. Nowadays it is als o used for  the regular meetings of club “Rodolyubie” (club Patriotism). It  has 3 halls with wood en tables and benches, ou tside garden garden  for 50 and several wooden tables on a platform on the stre et. One of the halls is use d as conference conference room for the meetings of the club or oth er gatherings. The cuisine is Bulgarian. Try Try the Rosno pile s bosilek (Chicken with basil) or Sirene po trakiiski (Cheese the Thracian way). You should not miss the killer  dessert, as they call it - “Udovolstvie za dvama” (Pleasure  for two). If you want to bump into famous Plovdiv figures this is a place you should visit. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. (4-12Lv).

PJHBXS

Malak Bunardzhik J-7, ul. Volga 1, tel. 032 64 26 40. This restaurant is situated at th e foot of the Bunardzhik  Hill. After you climb the stairs you enter into the garden with splendid vegetation vegetation and a b eautiful wooden bridge over the small pool. If you ask the waiter to serve you in the p ool, he will be happy to accommodate you on one of the tables wi th high chairs inside. I f you want to remain dry, just take the menu, looking like a newspaper and start choosing. Ask the chef 

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restaurants  for something special to go with your brandy, choose from lamb specialty, fish directly directly from the fishing rod or traditional dishes from the Rh odope Mountains. Bulgarian music. Polite staff. Bulgarian and English menu is availabl e. QOpen 10:30 - 24:00. (2-17lv). PAIEBW

Megdana G-1, ul. Odrin 11, tel. 032 62 46 94/0885 968 270, www.megdana-bg.com. Maybe this place is the most stylish Bulgarian restaurant in Plovdiv. Plovdiv. It is situated in a remote area, behind the Sou th bus station (av togara togara Yug). Yug). The wooden entranc e gate in a Renaissance Renaissance style sug gests that inside you can expect something great and remarkable. And then you enter into the vast garden of the restaurant, which looks like a rural yard. Carts, porches, woven rugs are part of the remarkable decor of the place. The main hall inside is even greater in size, capable of accommodating  more than 270 people. The menu is impressive. Only the list of salads exceeds 4 pages. We recommend the dishes  from Grandma’s kitchen - Sarmi with beans, Patatnik from Rhodope Mountains, etc. There is a rich menu of fish and a collection of selec ted wines. Every Every evening af ter 21:00 Megdana offers a rich folklore program performed by Ensemble “Thrace” and En semble “Balgare”. “Balgare”. QOpen 11:00 - 24:30. (7-23Lv). PIENB

Mehana Hashove D-4, ul. Panayot Volov 8, tel. 0888 589 323, [email protected]. Found on a narrow steep street in the Old Town of Plovdiv this restaurant is decorated in Bulgarian style and offers Bulgarian cuisine. The seating is wooden wi th tables set with typical red cloths. The place is decorated wi th rugs from old times and folklore costumes on the walls. The inside holds 35 arranged on the ground floor and up the stairs. The outside hold s 50 arranged under a vine. The menu is very rich and offers different kinds of dishes and rakia (fire water). Try the Steak Antoanet, the Stanimashki sarmichki (rice and minced meat tucked in marinated cabbage leaves) or the Kavarma (meat prepared in earth pot). The bathroom is a little primitive. QOpen 17:00 - 01:00. (5-16Lv). (5-16Lv). JBXS

lent baklava (sweet Turkish dessert with walnuts) or one of  their homemade desserts. The restaurant does not have special facilities facilities for disabled, but sinc e there are no stairs it  is regularly regularly visited by disabled pe ople. The inside part holds 96 seats and the outside 50. QOpen 07:00 - 01:00. (4,5012Lv). PBXS

Restaurant Paldin D-3, ul. Knyaz Tseretelev 3, tel. 032 63 17 20, fax 032 62 45 10, restaurant_puldin@ abv.bg. Found in the Old Town of Plovdiv this is one of the oldest restaurants in the city named after the old name of  Plovdiv given by Slavic tribes. I t is built on top of the ruins of  the fortifi cation wall first first erected by Thracians and Romans and later, later, renewed during th e reign of the Byzantine Emperor  Justinian the Great in the 6th centur y AD. Later on the same place, was built an early Christian monastery, destroyed in 1410 during the internecine wars of the Ottoman Empire. Later, on the same spot, was built the Dervish Monastery  Mehlevi Hane, which had a mosque, a hall for performing the ritual dances and a residential building for the dervish and their sheikh. The Mehlevi Mosque existed till 1928 when it  collapsed during the Great Earthquake in Plovdiv. Some of  the findings are now exhibited in the exposition hall of the restaurant. The restaurant is very interestingly designed in Bulgarian Bulgarian folklore folklore style wi th wooden tables and b enches, bright tablecloths and t ypical earthen dishes. The cuisine is Bulgarian and offers offers multiple special sp ecial ties. Try Try th e fresh salads and the chicken fillet julienne. There is a good wine selec tion and many deserts. In th e evening evening they th ey have live music - piano and violin. This certainly is a place you should visit. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. (5-28Lv). (5-28Lv). PJHA6EGBXSW

Mehana Staroto Vreme F-2, ul. Gladston 22, tel. 032 26 06 00/0886 535 363. Decorated in Bulgarian style with colourful tablecloths, wine vessels, swords, national costumes, dolls dressed in folklore style and even a cannon in the yard, this place is certainly amusing to visit. The inside is for 40 and the seating is wooden. The garden is for 50 with wooden seating and cooling artificial waterfall. The cuisine is Bulgarian and they have certainly chosen the best to of fer - meat sach, stuffed bon fillet, kachamak (corn mash with cheese), patatnik (roasted potatoes). The desser ts are not to to be missed. Try the ashure (wheat farina), the kaizer shmaren (type of pankaces) or the gris halva. If you are there during  lunch time ask for the lunch menu, it’s cheaper and offers other specialties. The music is pop. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. Closed Close d Sun. (3-10Lv). (3-10Lv). PJIGBXS

Pacific E-2, ul. Naiden Gerov 8A, tel. 032 66 50 60/0899 105 343. Do you want a dinner accompanied by  a show? This is the place for you! The artisti c duet Intersound will make your evening. The menu offers exquisite Bulgarian cuisine and you can watch the ch ef prepare your steak in front  of you. The restaurant is proud of its wine selection. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. (10-30Lv). PJABSW Pri Chicho E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 66, tel. 0899 808 603. A simple restaurant with typical Bulgarian dishes and reasonable prices. It is regularly visited by Bulgarian  folk who have their favourite choice from the menu, mostly    from the grilled delicacies. Try the kavarma or the chicken roasted on a sword (pileshko na shpaga). They have excelPlovdiv In Your Pocket 

Vodenitsata J-9, ul. Saedinenie 11, tel. 0896 667 033. This restaurant decora ted in typical Bulgarian style is found in JK Trakia Trakia (neighbourhood), (neighb ourhood), opposite opposi te Dimitar Matevski School, 15 min from the centre by car. Everything here reminds you of the old times - from the wooden tables set with pat terned tablecloths, chairs with rough iron, lanterns, dried corn, patterned pouches and rugs, pitchforks and shovels to the

restaurants personnel dressed in traditional folklore costumes and the clay patterned dishes and u tensils. There is even even a working  water mill, cascades of water, a stream which flows through the garden of the restaurant and several small bridges from wood and stone. The cuisine is Bulgarian with some international dishes. Try the barbecue or the fish on charcoal, the roasted vegetables and the lamb. For dessert try the  frumenty (ashuré - sweet wheat) or the homemade biscuit  cake. cake. The rakia choice is good and is ser ved in the tradi tional Bulgarian Bulgarian flask. Their menu is also in English and some of th e staff are English speaking. QOpen 09:00 - 01:00. (7-20Lv). (7-20Lv).

PA6BXSW

Fast food Aladdin E-2, ul. Nayden Gerov 4, tel. 0888 850 773/0888 363 333. Found up a hidden alley, commencing from the main pedestrian street, this place is quite popular amongst the lo cals and i t works non-stop. non-stop. It is on two floors with bars and stools, and outside high tables. They Th ey serve piz za, hamburger, hamburger, döner kebab, falafel and French fries. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. JS

Diamant bul. Maria Luiza 20. Always hot, extremely 

European Wine Restaurant Vinalia E-3, ul. Gurko 13, tel. 032 63 26 85/0886 308 108, [email protected], exactly in the centre of town this www.vinalia.bg. Located exactly modern restaurant is a good choice for the connoisseurs of  good food accompanied by a fine wine. Here you can enjoy  the epicurean cuisine and gourmet specialties, of which maybe the Cuban sandwich is the most interesting one. You are encouraged to dig further into the menu. The restaurant is on two levels with a “wine room” on th e first floor  where the wines are kept at temperatures between 10 and 16C. Dionysus lives on. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. (5-15Lv).

PJAEGBXW

Greek  Chef`s Restaurant Elea E-4, bul. Knyaginya Maria Luiza 43A, tel. 0885 544 051/032 26 40 80. If you like  fresh fish directl y from Greece, this is your place. Here you will  feel the Aegean spirit of both the th e cuisine and the atmosphere. atmosph ere. The menu is in English and Greek offering specialties from the Greek cuisine. Excellent ser vice. You You are welcomed with water and free olive pâté upon arrival. With even an outside seating this restaurant should be on your menu of places to visit. Yiamas! What you, of course would pronounce like “yiamas”. Or simply Cheers! QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (8-20Lv).

PJALGXW

International Bar & Grill Fresh ul. Otets Paisiy 15, tel. 032 62 61 37/0899 93 83 56. The former “Mediterraneo” restaurant  has new owners and a brand new concept. The first floor is a bar, bar, with sofas, low tables and an d is oriented to th e young visitors of the venue, venue, including fresh non-alcoholic non-alcoholi c and alcoholic alcoh olic cocktails. The second flo or remains a restaurant restaurant - i t is renovated, but th e interior is still impressive - light wood, a lot of exotic plants and glass ceiling. In the m enu you will find a variety of  seafood and fish. The fish soup with salmon and oli ves is really good. They also offer offer a lunch menu - every thing we tried was delicious. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. PLBXSW

Birena Gradina Voivodite (Beer Garden the Chieftains) F-2, ul. Gladston 13, tel. 032 62 72 70, [email protected]. Open from spring to autumn the beer  house has a t its disposal 80 seats in the garden. garden. They ser ve 30 kinds of beer, big choice of salads, Bul garian and Mexican dishes. Go for the komitska salad, the chicken on a skewer  or the gyuveche (hotchpotch). No English menu, but the staff are English speaking. QOpen 07:00 - 01:00. (6-13Lv).

PJUGBXS

delicious homemade “banitsi” and varied varied types t ypes of pastry  snacks - sweet and salty salt y. The t ypical breakfast for almost  every Bulgarian. You can drink a boza or ayran with the banitsa and enjoy an auth entic everyday Bulgarian Bulgarian morning. QOpen 07:00 - 20:00. B

Posleden Grosh (Last Penny) J-8, ul. Architect Kamen Petkov 14, tel. 032 66 03 21. A small family  run fast food restaurant with 10 seats inside and 20 in the garden. Here you can find toasted sandwiches (toster), pocket sandwiches (dzhob sandvich), roasted sandwiches with ham and cheese or minced meat  (printsesa). The bonus to the place is the pottery shop next door belonging belon ging to the artist - daughter of the owners. It sells ceramic souvenirs, vases, candlesticks, flower  pots and more. Just ask about the shop, it might look  closed, while the artist is creating her magic in the back  room. QOpen 06:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 07:00 - 23:00. (1,50-3Lv). GBX Evtimiy. Fast food Vkusno E-3, ul. Patriarh Evtimiy. food booth bo oth with

high tables and no seating - Döner kebab, pizza, toasted sandwiches, h ot dog, pancakes. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00. (1,30-3,50Lv). JS

Enoteque Kopcheto J-7, bul. Vasil Aprilov 7, tel. 032 64 63 32, fax 032 64 63 30, kopcheto@aliancehotel. com. It may be considered the p erfect place for having dindinner, ner, but it leaves something to b e desired, althou gh this is a 3-star venue. The restaurant offers a special gourmet menu and a good wine selection. QOpen 12:00 - 00:00, Sun 12:00 - 16:00. (5-30Lv). (5-30Lv). PAGXW II Obedinitel 37, tel. tel . 032 90 Fontana A-3, bul. Tsar Boris IIII 28 00. The bar is lo cated in Pavilion No.9 No.9 at th e International Fair of Plovdiv. Here you’ll be welcome as a special guest by  a polite waiter. The interior is in mild green colour. The menu is not very rich but th ere is a salad salad bar with an abundance of  various various salads. For hard drink enthusiasts the bar dispenses high quality a ged whisky. whisky. Q (3-10Lv). PJAGBXW

Happy Bar and Grill A-2, ul. Vasil Levski 2, tel. 032 94 kn ow that Happy is th e largest restaurant restaurant chain 39 13. Do you know in Bulgaria? Like all others, th e one in Plovdi v offers offers a vast collection of tasty meals to choose from and pretty waitresses that fly around for you. At weekends this place is preferred by young people and th e business circles like it for for business lunches on week days. Th ere are a couple more restaurants of the same chain. One on ul. Patriarh Evtimiy 13, tel.62 51  92, and the other one at Retail Centre Landmark on bul. Mendeleev 2B, tel. 0888 181 064 QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. (10-25Lv). PJABSW Rahat Tepe C-3, ul. Doktor Chomakov 20, tel. 032 62 44 54/0878 384 374. This open-air restauran t is found on the top of th e Rahat Tepe Tepe (Rahat (Raha t Hill) in the th e Old Town Town of Plovdi v.

May-August 2009

25

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restaurants It is open from May till the en d of September (depending on the weather). The wooden tables, benches and chairs are arranged under big sunshades and are surrounded by greener y. It has ab out 200 places. The food includes meat on the grill, salads and desserts. Popular and dance dance music. The bathroom is a little bi t primitive and not exactly exactly th e cleanest. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. (3,30-6,50Lv). 6BXS

Restaurant-Garden Philippopolis D-3, ul. Saborna 29, tel. 032 62 48 51, fax 032 62 29 63, gallery@ philippopolis.com, www.philippopolis.com. This unique restaurant is located in an old house near the Old Town. The building is an architectural monument and one of the most beautiful Renaissance houses in Plovdiv. It’s known as Alekovata Alekovata house. In 2003, after repairs repairs and restoration, it  was turned into an Ar t Gallery and Museum Philippopolis. Philippopolis. The restaurant restauran t offers offers exquisi exquisite te cuisine, wine-ri ch menu and excellent servi s ervice. ce. It h as a summer garden (100 seats), which offers offers a panoramic view vie w to Plovdiv and Kapana square. The garden is open from April to September. The main hall has 50 seats and is decorated with paintings from the collection of the museum. Bulgarian and English menu is available. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. (12-28Lv). (12-28Lv). PALEGBXW

Restaurant & Garden Amsterdam D-3, ul. Konstantin Stoilov 10, tel. 032 62 99 53/0899 40 66 35, www. casadecuba.bg/amsterdam. One elegant restaurant in the cen tre of Plovdiv. Plovdiv. A great variety of specialties from the Bulgarian and European cuisine. They offer a separate menu  for drinks with a selection of Bulgarian red and white wines and wines from Spain, Australia, California, Chile, Argentina. Bulgarian and English menu is available. From special offers (15-35Lv) (15-35Lv) of the chef Petar Yankov, ankov, we recommend rec ommend to try t ry the tender deer steak with cherry tomatoes and dressing with thyme. And be careful! Don’t miss the themed evenings of  world cuisine Italian, Turkish, Mediterranean and haute cuisine. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (8-40Lv). (8-40Lv). PJALBW

Restaurant Arena D-2, ul. Otets Paisiy 2, tel. 032 62 23 20. An unpretentious place where free seats are hard to  find especiall y between bet ween 18:00-22:00. The menu offers offers a long  list of salads, pizza and desserts. The staff are polite and patient. QOpen 09:00 - 01:00. (2-7Lv). PJNB

Restaurant Classic bul. Iztochen 22, tel. 032 63 80 18/0886 63 80 18, fax 032 66 58 58, restaurant_clasfrom the centre, but situated in a [email protected]. A little bi t far from small green park, the place attracts with delicious fish and seafood. Th e restaurant is really big and offers offers quite informal atmosphere, big garden outside, polite s taff taff and really tasty  dishes. They have a lunch menu. QOpen 10:00 - 23:30. Closed Sun. PIBXW

Restaurant Janet B-2, ul. 4 (Chetvarti) Yanuari 3, tel. 032 62 60 44. Situated in the Old Town of Plovdiv in a restored house of symmetrical symmetri cal style, built buil t in 1863, this restaurant has four halls for 60, a garden for 50 and wine cellar in the basement. The place is decorated in the Renaissance style with mural at the entrance, drawings on the walls, Persian carpets, statues and even pieces of old fashion clothes. The garden is set with wooden tables and chairs, some greener y  and a small fountain. The cuisine is international and th ere is a rich selection of wines. Try Try the spe cialty Rodopa or go for the rich choice of fish. The music is evergreen, Russian Russian romance songs and Bulgarian popular music. QOpen 11:30 - 23:30. (12-25Lv). PJABXS

Restaurant K2 D-2, ul. Tsaribrod 6, tel. 032 62 69 07/0899 900 047, [email protected], www.k2bg.com. Close to the Roman stadium on Dzhumaya square, this place is a

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Decoding the menu Starters and salads Shopska salata ( шопска салата) Baked peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions onions and white ch eese. Snezhanka (снежанка) Yogurt, chopped choppe d cucumbers and garlic. Katak (катък) Strained yogurt, mixed with wit h white cheese. Sometimes you can find it with baked peppers, garlic and oil in it. Zelena salata (зелена салата) Fresh green salad, fresh onions and olives. Ovcharska salata (овчарска салата) Cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, ham, peppers, eggs and cheese. Redena salata (редена салата) Sliced Slice d tomatoes, cucumbers and a piece of white cheese. Soups Bob chorba chorb a (боб чорба) Beans, different kinds of vegetables and typical Bulgarian Bulgarian herbs. h erbs. Shkembe chorba chorb a ( шкем бе чорба) Tripe soup, boiled with milk and served with garlic, vinegar and grounded chilly pepper. Supa Topcheta opch eta (супа топчета) Small meatballs, meatb alls, boiled with vegetables and herbs. Tarator (таратор) Cold soup made of  cucumbers, walnuts, oil and yogurt. Zelenchukova supa (зеленчукова супа) Vegetable soup Pileshka supa (пилешка супа) Chicken soup Supa Leshta (супа леща) Lentils, herbs her bs and vegetables. Meat dishes Shishch e (шишче) Small pieces pie ces of chicken or pork meat, peppers and onions, lined up on a skewer  and grilled. Pileshki drobch eta (пилешки дробчета) Chicken liver, fired with onions Parzhola (пържола) Steak  Kyuf te (кюфте) Flat meat balls with onions in it. Can be grilled or fried. Kebapche (кебапче) Grilled oblong oblon g meat  Gyu vech (гювеч) Vegetables, egetable s, herbs herb s and pieces of meat, baked in an ear thenware dish. Gyuveche : (гювече) (гювече) Small earthenware dishes, filled filled with onions, tomatoes, tomatoes, cheese, sausages and an egg. Vegetarian Vegetarian dishes di shes Yaytsa ay tsa po panag yurski (яйца по панагюрски) Eg gs, sauced with yo gurt, garlic garlic and a li ttle fried red pepper. pepper. Sirene po shopski (сирене по шопски) White cheese, baked with tomatoes in a small pot. Kashkaval pane (кашкавал пане) Yellow cheese chee se  fried in eg gs and bread-crumbs bread-crumbs Chushki byurek (чушки бюрек) Peppers, filled fille d with eggs and cheese Zadusheni kartofi (задушени картофи) Potatoes, Potatoe s, stewed with bu tter and served with garlic and dill Mekitsi Meki tsi (мекици) Fried piec es of dough, usually served with jam or white cheese Banitsa (баница) Baked pastr y, filled fille d with mix ture of white cheese and eg gs Mish mash (миш-маш) Mixed and fried peppers, tomatoes, tomatoes, onions, eggs and white che ese Desserts Kiselo mlyako s orehi I med (кисело мляко с орехи и мед) Yogurt, sauce sauced d with honey and cracked walnuts. Krem Karamel (крем карамел) Milk and eggs, baked over a caramel in small cups.

restaurants modern mod ern restaurant with quite affordable affordable pricing. It is elegantl y  designed with wooden tables and chairs, neutral and red colours, neon light corner bar, bar, lots of greener y and aquarium. The staff are polite girls with big smiles, dressed in light  green uniforms and serving as fast as possible. The cuisine is international and offers salads, soups, starters, grilled meat and deserts. There are 100 places inside and about  80 outside. They work until the last client has left. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. (2-11Lv). (2-11Lv). PJBXSW

Restaurant Renaissance E-4, pl. Vazrazhdane 1, tel. 032 26 69 66/0898 502 590, info@renaissance-bg. com, www.renaissance-bg.com. Found at one of the entrances to the Old Town of Plovdiv, down the stairs in a restored house from the 19th c. Th e place for 28 is stylish with decoratively painted walls, dark wooden tables and chairs and fretwork wooden bar. There is a TV with cable, so you will not miss any impor tant games. The garden for for 50 is wi th wooden tables and bench es, big sunshades, lots of flowers and a mandarin tree. The cuisine is International with French  flavour.  flavour. There are also traditi onal Bulgarian dishes. Do try th e Kachamak (corn farina) with honey and walnuts or the fried French cheese with blueberry jam. QOpen 15:30 - 23:00. (8,50-17Lv). PJALGBXSW

Romantika ul. Gurko 17, tel./fax 032 62 26 75. The restaurant is situated downstairs in the hotel with th e same name. There is a summer garden. They offer a bio menu for  the heal thy lifestyl e lovers. The venue is decorated in a stylish and sophisticated manner. manner. The menu list is n ot long, bu t all the dishes are carefully chosen. The wine list is rich enough to satisfy every taste. The garden in the ba ck yard is quiet, nevertheless, the central position of the venue. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. PTAGBXS

Skerzzo Bar & Dinner F-3, ul. Tsar Asen 8, tel. 032 62 60 74/0886 112 317, [email protected], www. skerzzo.com. This is a modern mod ern club-restaurant on two floors. The relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by th e minimalist chic chic style and chill out and jazz music. Th e seating is with wooden tables and ivory leather chairs and sofas, high tables, white leather stools and a bar. The place is illuminated by wicker   floor lanterns with muted light. There is a nice summer terrace. The cuisine is interna tional and the food is delicious. Try  Try  the Scalopina (pork bon fillet with smoked cheese, walnuts and tomatoes) or th e Emperor’s steak (veal (veal fillet with wi th steamed vegetables and pasta). The fish connoisseurs can go for the Argentinean gaucho (white fish fillet, tomatoes and fish sauc e). Every day there ther e is lunch menu from 11:30-14:30. On Tues Tuesdays days with every main course you get a free salad. On Thursdays Beck’s is at half price. Every week there are thematic dinners - Mexican, I talian, German and French. Best is to make a reservation. QOpen 08:30 - 24:00. (8-20Lv). PBX

The Old Plovdiv (Staryat Plovdiv) C-2, ul. Zholio Kyuri 6, tel. 032 62 91 33, w ww.oldplovdivbg.com. The restaurant is located near the central ci ty area. The interior  combines ancient architecture and modern style. The hall on the second floor is decorated with antique household items, and the hall on the first floor is in a contemporary contemporary style. Th e restaurant has a spacious terrace terrace with 50 seats. An authentic auth entic tower is preserved as part of the interior, which in the past  measured the time for Christian-, MuslimMuslim- and J ew-inhabited neighbourhoods. At the entrance there is a fountain with goldfish. A menu (in Bulgarian Bulgarian and English) begins with: “Even if you’ve come alone, you are among friends!” frien ds!” QOpen 10:30 - 24:00. Close d Sun. (8-19Lv). PJANB

Italian Gusto pizza & restaurant D-2, ul. Otets Paisiy 26, tel. 032 62 37 11. This restaurant has a pleasant atm osphere, nice music, central location and superb Italian cuisine. Whether you are in the whi te, the orange or the green sector, sector, symbolizing the different seasons, you will enjoy the Italian salads, wood-oven pizzas, lasagn e and pasta. They al so offer  offer  cold d’oeuvres, soups, veal, lamb, lamb, chicken and pork barbecue barbecu e and a “real” garlic sauce. The place is on t wo levels, where the  first, ground ground level has the feel of the typical A merican snack  bar, bar, despite the thi ck smoke-screen smoke-screen produced by th e happy  smokers puffing around. The second, underground level is designed designe d with brick and stone walls, red sofa seating, cocktail tables with stools, sto ols, a bar and 3 of the tables at the bot tom are  for non smokers. During the warm months they also serve on the outside terrace. On each table there is a specifically   fitted fan, which will keep you cool. The menu is in Bulgarian and English. Unfortunately you are not served with a smile, so take good company with you. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. (4-10Lv). PJABXSW

Restaurant Unico E-3, ul. Otets Paisiy 41, tel. 032 62 02 94. This Italian restaurant in the heart of Plovdiv, just off  the main pedestrian street, is a gem you should not miss. It is a spacious place, with very high ceiling, elegant design in soft rose-orange colours, comfortable seating for 45 and summer garden for 60. Although the cuisine is Italian, they  also serve a few Bulgarian dishes. dishes. Cooking Cookin g is exclusivel exclusivelyy done with selected organic products and meat filet. They serve delicious tomato soup good enough for a Michelin star, great  pasta and risotto (for p pizza izza you are politel y pointed to a nearby  pizzeria). I f you are a fish lover go go on Thursdays when th ey get  their fresh fish supply from Greece. We tried the bass from the fish menu and oh, it was worth it. The chicken, pork and veal dishes will make you drool and wonder what to choose. They serve 4 types of warm bread, homemade Carpaccio, dolce formag gio, pasta carbonara, frutti frut ti di mare, etc. For dessert th ey serve tiramisu and toskana toskana and at th e end of your  stay they ser ve you peach pesca (digestive). The waiters are polite and serve according to etiquette, unlike other places in Bulgaria (that is you don’t get your soup, main course and dessert a t the same time or a t different different timing to your dinner  companions). The menu is in Bulgarian, Italian and English. For the finishing touch they play dolce Italian and Bulgarian music. With such an exquisite cuisine and excellent excellent ser vice, what more m ore can you ask for? QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (6-18Lv). (6-18Lv). PJ6BXSW

Pizza Classic J-8, ul. Zefir 8, tel. 032 63 09 30/0885 26 25 66, [email protected]. The pizza restaurant offers, pizza, pasta, salads, barbecue and main courses. The seating is wooden and th ere is also outside seating. The food is delicious, but the service is a bit on the slow side. QOpen 07:30 - 24:00. Close d Mon. (5-10Lv). PBXS

Godzila D-2, ul. Knyaz Batenberg 29A, tel. 032 96 01 60/0895 960 160, www.godzila.bg. We discovered with surprise that Varna’s famous Pizza restaurant Godzila is also found in Plovdiv. In contrast to the sea capital, the place here is not very busy. Outside again you will meet a huge Godzilla statue. The salon inside is en tirely in black and white. The outside terrace is for about 50 people. Pleasant  staff, good prices. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. (2.50 -17.99Lv).

PJNB

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restaurants Panare t 25, tel. 032 Pizza Originalle D-4, ul. Мitropolit Panaret

66 37 97/0894 205 085. This pizza restaurant is found at  the foot of the Old Town of Plovdiv. It is a wooden structure with inside and s emi-outside (the windows open completely) part with greenery. They have an impressive pizza menu, pasta, lasagna, salads, dishes on the grill and even Spanish paella. The stuffed potatoes are not something you should miss. The h ome delivery will cost you additional 3Lv 3Lv and you can order online from amam.bg. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. (4-20Lv). PJNGBXSW

Pizza Verdi E-2, ul. Nayden Gerov 19, tel. 032 9171/0886 889 171, www.pizzaverdi.com. To get one of the best prepared pizzas in town visit one of the six pizzerias Verdi. They offer 45 kinds of pizza (small, family, big, thin and crispy), pasta, lasagna, salads, risotto, chicken bites, asparagus, asparagus, soups and relatively big selection of wines. Th e Naiden Gerov pizzeria we visited has big wooden tables and chairs in white and champagne colours and open kitchen. There are two gardens gardens with wooden tables and benches wi th green cushions. There Th ere is also a kid’s corner. corner. The ser vice is on the slow side, sid e, but th ey do it with a smile. From 15:00-17:00 15:00-17:00 for  for  every order there is 10% discount. For home deliver y there are also discounts according to the total price of order. QOpen 11:00 - 23:30. (6-20Lv). (6-20Lv). PTJBXSW

Zlatna Krusha J-8, ul. Konstantin Velichkov 22, Rilon Centre, tel. 032 66 30 80. An interesting option if you are in the area, this local-geared pizza place has a nice interior  and very good service. A large list of pizzas on the menu bu t  also offering offering various pasta, fish and an d vegetarian options. There is one more restaurant on ul. Otets Paisiy 30, tel. 65 05 05, open 10:00-24:00. Recommended. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. Pasta (3.37-8.70Lv), pizza (3.36-20.22Lv), main courses (2.79-6.00Lv). PLNB

Russian Petar I (Pyotar the First) D-3, ul. Knyaz Tseretelev 11, tel. 032 62 07 89/032 63 23 89, residence@abv. bg, www.theoldtownresidence.com. If you want to plunge into the atmosphere of tsarist Russia restaurant restaurant Petar Purvi  found in the Old Town of Plovdiv is the place you should visit. The restaurant has two floors and a VIP hall. The set ting is sumptuous - marble stairs lead you to the main hall, where the tables are covered in red satin wi th chairs in blue satin, crystal chandeliers and vases, paintings including including a p ortrait  of Peter I, covings on the ceiling and panoramic French windows with an amazing view towards towards the cit y. The magnifi cent  garden composes of balustrade, illuminated fountain and a real chapel. The cuisine is International with accent on the Russian specialties prepared to original recipes. Here you can try the typical t ypical Russian Blini (blins), Pelmeni (pelmens) and Pirojki (patties (pattie s with meat) mea t) as well as different different types of fish. Do not miss the Sturgeon a la Savourov or Veal the Caucasian way. way. For dessert you might c onsider the Ar menian cadaiff cadaiff or  the cake Napoleon. The wine list is impressive and includes original Dom Perignon (499Lv). (499Lv). The music musi c is Russian romance and gypsy son gs and occasional live music - piano and violin. The m enu is in En glish and the staff staff speak English, Russian, Turkish, Greek, Italian and German. QOpen 13:00 - 24:00. (14-39Lv). PTJA6UILEGBXW

Seafood BBQ & Bar Heming Hemingway way E-3, ul. Gurko 10, tel. 032 26 73 50, [email protected], www.hemingwaybg. com. If you have the chan ce to visit this restaurant in Plovdiv,

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

wherever you go at a later stage in your life, you will always remember i t. Books of the famous American writer, writer, arranged in racks, interior in brown and orange, the abundance of  dishes from fresh fish, unostentatious service are the things that put this place into the category of “unforgettable”. The restaurant offers a varied salad bar (weekday at midday) and the Serbian meat specialties. Rich list of wines. Acoustic music af ter 20:00 20:00 QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. (7-30Lv).

PJAEGXW

Cafe & Fish Restaurant History F-4, Archaeological underpass, tel. 032 64 69 78/0887 806 006. Fish restaurant in the Archaeological underpass (podlez Arheologicheski) near the central city area. On two levels - one room is completely completely pure modernistic design and the se cond one is equipped with furniture combined with historical excavations. The place offers a rich menu of fish focused on exotic fish such as mullet, fagri and you’ll even find Indian dishes on the menu. There are over 250 types of wine and several several types of cigars. Live jazz music is played here in th e late afternoon and evening hours. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00. (7-16Lv). PJAB

Sushi Kaiten Sushi Bar Sazae E-3, ul. Patriarh Evtimiy 12, tel. 032 63 13 33/0896 76 19 73, sushi.sazae@yahoo. com, www.sazae.bg. An underground sushi bar - stylish, but not pretentious. It has a bar with conveyor-belt, unique   for Bulgaria. There are also tables for the traditionalists. The menu includ es traditional Japanese dishes, salads salads and more than 100 types of sushi. The big choic e can puzzle you if you are not a connoisseur, but the staff can help you on that. On the other hand, gourmet persons, acquainted with the Japanese cuisine, will find this place quite satisfying. The conveyor-belt is on self service principle and you can order  dishes you don’t se e on it from the waiter. The cook is a cer ti fied sushi master. English speaking staff and English menu are available. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Sun 15:00 - 23:00. (10-35Lv). PJ

Turkish Rotana C-5, bul. 6-ti Septemvri 216, tel. 032 26 68 01/0885 077 744. This restaurant serves original Turkish and Arabic cuisine prepared by Turkish and Syrian chefs. There is such a wide choice of salads, starters and main dishes that you feel like ordering everything. That is why  we couldn’t resist but tried tabbouleh, hommus, montabil, Içli köfte, iskener kebap, ali merik, durum, sambusek, pide mix, choban kavarma, kavarma, künefe and baklava. Delicious! There is a show-kitchen so you can even watch how your food is being bein g prepared. The menu is in Bulgarian, Turkish, Turkish, Arabic Arabi c and English. The place is st ylish, arranged on two levels, levels, the front  part and th e rear one, where the tables are on a platform. platform. It  is designed in white, red, pink and champagne colours, with high columns and regal curtains in red and gold. There is a lot  of greener y, 4 flat TVs tuned to pop-folk music programs program s and a VIP hall. On Fridays and Saturdays they have an attractive show program with belly dancing. They also offer hookah and Turkish Turkish raki. They work until th e last customer has left. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. (6-14Lv). PEXS

CaFÉs Meeting out for a cup of coffee, ‘Aide na kaf é  é!’,  !’, is always a welcomed option for Bulgarians. Whether i t is in the early morning, after noon or in the evening, chances are a couple of hours will slip by and be fore you know it the next cup of coffee may turn into an aperitif. Plovdiv is one of the cities with greatest variety of ca fés crowding crowding the pedestrian streets so take your time to pick out the one that’s right for you.

Café Arena Old Town, The Ancient Theatre “Trimontsium”, tel. 032 62 65 26/0889 028 990. This charming  cafe is located in the Old Town, Town, at the entrance of the Ancient  Theatre. Many tourists land here during sightseeing in the Old Town. The venue offers beautiful panoramic view and nice music. Th e menu will impress you with refreshing refreshing drinks (Pitietata (Pitie tata za otskok) such as Cocaine I, which contains con tains vodka, schnapps peach, Curacao and cointreau. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, the th e place is open only during summer months. Friendly staff. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. 6NB

Café Lia C-4, ul. P. R. Slaveykov 34, tel. 0895 691 638. This is a small café in the Old Town of Plovdiv. They have only 15 seats on 3 tables inside and anoth er 2 outside. The seating is wooden and upholstered uphols tered furniture in brown colours. They serve coffee and soft drinks. Don’t forget to ask for the homemade ashure (stewed wheat farina with ice cream). QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. JBX

Café Scarface E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 63. Named after the movie Scarface (suggested by the big poster from the movie next to the bar) this small café offers much more than just  coffee coffee and soft drinks. Th ere you can order all kinds of salads, chicken dishes, French fries, pancakes and ice cream. The place has several tables inside and several outside. There is no menu in En glish, but some of the s taff taff speaks English. Animals are allowed outside. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00. (3-6Lv).

P6BXW

Afreddo creamery F-2, ul. Gladston 2, tel. 032 62 76 33/0887 699 977. This cafe is located in the main pedestrian street, right in front of the Tourist Information Centre. Excellent cakes, ice cream (2-4Lv), pancakes and sandwiches are ser ved here. It h as a summer garden. garden. Main hall is on the second floor. The staff could be friendlier. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. PJNBW

é  E-3, ul. Otets Paisiy 38, tel. 032 62 38 Artnews Caf é  95/0888 52 03 75, [email protected], www. artnewscafe.com. A small, art-designed café with cool music, friendly staff, staff, pleasant and in formal formal atm osphere. Half  of it looks like a small reading room - several stools and arm chairs, low tables in the form of cubes and a lot of light, c oming through th e large windows. You You can share with the other  visitors what happened to you during the day in a notebook, called “A book for everyday everyday occurrences”. The high shelves  full of books next to the bar also help this place to be a real modern and ar tistic choice for your fresh fresh start or end of the day. Don’t forget to cast a glance at the toilet as it is really  interesting. Did I mention the h omemade cakes - sweet sweet and salty? QOpen 07:00 - 23:00. PAGW

Balaban Café D-4, ul. Kiril Nektariev 4, tel. 0888 87 50 73. A small café-club designed with though tfulness and style. The wooden tables and decorations add to the atm osphere. The place attracts some of the prominent Plovdivians who meet h ere to discuss matters of their daily grind. Th e owner, owner, of  course, takes great part in th e discussions. Th ey serve coffee, beer and snacks. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. . PJBXW Café-aperitif Dolly D-4, ul. Paldin 13А, tel. 032 26 41 91. A tiny café found in the Old Town of Plovdiv with just 3 tables inside with a cosy fireplace for the cool days and 2 tables on the outside. Here you can meet th e local folks who who come by to chat an d share a glass of beer or coffee. coffee. The place pla ce is run by the owner with the help of her daughter who is English speaking. They offer soft drinks, beer, alcohol, cigarettes, French French fries, grilled meat and roasted sandwiches wi th meat  (printsesa). QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. JIBX

Café Taksim D-3, ul. Saborna 47, tel. 0896 734 565. A small café in the Old Town of Plovdiv with a great view to the city and original well in the yard (Taksim - means water  distribution well). During winter the yard is transformed into a closed area with air-conditioning. The seating is wooden tables, benches and chairs. The place plays rock music and attracts customers from all ages. The bathroom is not state of the art, bu t does have a charming mural, painted by one of  the customers, obviously a painter, painter, on his own initiative as a surprise to the owners and staff. The café offers soft drinks and alcohol, chips and nu ts. There are 60 places. The staff  are English speaking. QOpen 08:00 - 01:00. (3,60-5Lv).

PJBX

Dreams E-3, ul. Knyaz Aleksandar I Batenberg 42, tel. 032 62 71 42, fax 032 62 71 44, [email protected]. This lovely coffee shop is one of the most popular places in Plovdiv and one of the reasons is its central location righ t on the pedestrian street. Its fame is mostly due to the rich menu of both alcoholic and n on-alcoholic cocktails, as well as fresh fresh cakes and pastry. Here you can hide from the summer heat  or enjoy the mild autumn lazy days. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 08:00 - 01:00. (2-6Lv).. (2-6Lv).. PJABSW

Makalali D-3, ul. Georgi Benkovski 7, tel. 0898 588 120, makalaliclub.blogspot.com. Carrying an African theme throughout its whole interior decoration, this bar is rather spacious and during th e warmer time of the year has a popular outside part. The music is always electronic and every month th ere is a program with visi ting DJ guests, guests, which can be checked on th eir website. People like to come here for  their morning coffee or evening drinks. The interesting look  and the choice of design for this place is the most attractive part, together with the music if you are a fan. QOpen 08:00 - 02:00. PW

Maria Luiza E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 13. A small bar, where the sun never stops shining during the l ong hot days in Plovdiv. Jazz music, red painted walls, walls, black and white tiled flo or and big windows. An extremely pleasant place, where you can

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CaFÉs have a cup of good coffee or a beer and meet young and modern locals. QOpen 08:00 - 04:00. PBXW

Nedelya H-3, bul. Hristo Botev 92B, tel. 032 65 50 15. This well-known chain of pastry shops in Bulgaria is usually  always full, not only with lovers of sweet temptations. A lot  of families families come h ere with th eir children, children, as well as business partners to drink coffee. The main hall is in orange, gray and white. The music is pleasant. Polite staff. You can order here a cake for home. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sun 09:00 - 22:00. (3-5Lv). PNGBX

Have Your Say If you have had an experience to remember at any of  the venues listed in this guide, be it good, bad, ugly or  downright sad, let the two million regular unique visitors to our website, www.inyourpocket.com , know about  it. Every venue on our website now has a modul e below it for you to comment on the places we write about. You can agree or disagree with us, scold us or praise us, but do give us your feedback, its essential!

No name F-2, ul. Gladston 1, tel. 0889 337 544. Café-bar  up the stairs of an administrative building, right next to the City Garden. The inside for 40 is n othing fancy, fancy, comfortable with orange tables and blue chairs. The outside tables for 30 are found on a narrow balcony surrounded by trees whose crowns are so close, that it almost feels like you actually  alighted on your table just like a bird. The café-bar serves coffee, soft drinks, cigarettes, alcohol, snacks, sandwiches, beer and cocktails. The personnel are English speaking. In the evening the place attracts at tracts the young crowd and teenagers who laugh and dance around you, so at some point you might   feel you are more in a discotheque rather than in a café-bar. QOpen 07:30 - 23:30. PJBX

Skalata E-2, ul. Dondukov 6. This confectionary is wellknown to most of Plovdiv’s citizens. citizens. It i s partly si tuated in the rocks at the foot of Sahat Tepe and offers cakes prepared right th ere. Perfect for the warm days, because of the big terrace th ey have. Fruit juices, good c offee offee and delicious cakes. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. PBW

www.inyourpocket.com Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

nightLiFe Most of Plovdiv’s bars and clubs are located in the centre or in the Ol d Town. Town. Some of the m are very well hid den. Next to having this guide at hand, other use ful sources of  this night’s parties are taxi drivers and the friendly locals. A chalga night will already take your breath away by the sight of the local beauties.

Bars

Bar Iguana F-2, ul. Gladston 32, tel. 032 62 33 89. Modern bar with interesting décor of old records and other  memorabilia. The bar and the stools are wooden. During  summer months th e place is all open-air with 70 seats and during the colder period they close the garden area leaving  about 30 seats inside. Available are various alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails and drinks, nuts. Music is dance, disco and house. The TV is tuned to either sports or MTV. The personnel speak English. Prices are average. QOpen 08:00 - 01:00. PJNBXW

Bezistena (The Arcade) E-2, ul. Naiden Gerov 5, tel. 0882 532 400. This place’s location is a bit tricky to find and you might need someone to point you in the right direction. It’s in the centre of town and has b een there for over eleven eleven years. A bar for fans fans of mainly rock and metal music, i t holds a certain cozy atmosphere brought by the red ligh t filling the room, the interior which seems to be carefully chosen. Behind the lon g wooden bar th ere’s an old red Moscow refrigerator  refrigerator  and an electronic sign ab ove showing a price list of specials  from the menu. B ezistena could be a pla place ce for warm up before heading out to the late night bars and clubs, or it could be  just like your living room when th ere is a big football game on television since they do play most matches on a big screen TV right above the entrance. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00, Sat  10:00 - 23:00. PW

is an outside bar. The music is no t loud, so you can hear yourself think. QOpen 08:00 - 02:00. (3-5Lv). PBX

Excalibur bowling & bar J-8, bul. Sankt Peterburg 15, tel. 032 63 18 52/0899 907 992, deltakar [email protected]. It is found right next to Lokomotiv stadium. The Bar area is quite big with white leather furniture. There are 8 bowling  alleys (two for children), billiards, darts, electronic games, cocktail bar, bar, children’s children’s centre and big TV screen. They also organize bowling competitions. There are 150 seats and pop, R&B, retro and dance musi c. QOpen 09:00 - 03:00.

PTAXW

Life club I-6, bul. Bulgaria 136, tel. 0896 665 214/0887 293 567. This is a spacious modern place, designe d in white, black, red and brown colours, with leather seating, en closed sitting areas with different geometrical forms, bar plots or  tables and different light effects. All in all a combination of  different styles, colours and lightning, but it doesn’t bother, stays modern. The garden is big and cool place for the hot  summer days and nights. It is designe d with wicker furniture and wooden furniture, a fountain, a footbridge an outside bar  and kid’s corner. Even though it’s a cocktail bar they serve Bulgarian Bulgarian and I talian cuisine. There are darts, table football and billiards. billiards. They play house, club and retro music. QOpen 07:30 - 02:00. PTLBXW Naylona D-3, ul. Georgi Benkovski 8. This cult place is a home to the artistic and underground people not only from Plovdiv but from all over Bulgaria. Wooden chairs and tables, darkened with the years, simple interior, paintings from local artists on the walls, old radio receivers…. just a small part  of the unique atmosphere of the place. The glass ceiling is

Casa de Cuba G-1, bul. Vasil Aprilov 118, tel. 032 64 96 04/0888 073 601, www.plovdiv.casadecuba.bg. ww w.plovdiv.casadecuba.bg. The only place wi th full time Latino music. There you can have a Cuban cigar cigar and try their Mojito and Cuba Libre. The place is decorated dec orated with wit h photos from Cuba...”Una-Dos-Tres-Quatro-FiCuba...”Una-Dos-Tres-Quatro-FiDel-Castro”. It has 120 seats set on a few dark brown sofas with low tables and round tables with armchairs. The most  interesting place to sit is at the bar where you can chat with the bar tender, tender, who cer tainly has an interesting story to tell. There is a flat TV, so you will not miss any game. QOpen 07:00 - 02:00. PJALBXW

De Niro K-8, Zhk. Trakia, ul. Saedinenie 11, tel. 0894 499 893, [email protected]. It is found in Zhk. Trakia (a neighbourhood), opposite Dimitar Matevski School, 15 min   from the centre by car. With 2 snooker tables, 8 billiards tables, darts and table football , this place is fit to welcome the Cincinnati Kid. It has 2 big bars with leath er seating, several several bar plots with stools, white lea ther sofas and separated seating areas with red leather sofas and wooden tables. There are 6 huge flat screen TVs tuned to a sport channel during  sports events. The garden area is big, designed with wi cker  seating, tables with coffee coffee beans under th e glass and separate seating areas on platforms with curtains. The greener y  includes decorative mandarin and palm trees. Animals are allowed in the garden. An hour of billiards or snooker will cost  you 6 Lv. Lv. The bar offers offers both al coholic an d non alcoholic al coholic drinks and cocktails, ice cream and nuts. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. (1,50 - 5Lv). P6LNBXW

Escape Moda Bar A-2, bul. Bulgaria 39, tel. 032 96 89 02/0888 654 560. Cocktail Cock tail bar with popular, popular, dance and retro music. The place is big and has 350 seats inside and outside. The Th e inside is designed in red, black and white colours and holds a lon g bar. bar. The outside ou tside seating is wooden and an d there

open during the h ot summer nights and offers offers you a beauti ful view to the stars. The music is various, but always good. The stone floor often is a witn ess of dances and live music performances. They offer drinks and nuts. Just go and see it. QOpen 12:00 - 04:00. EXW

Piano Bar La Rosa Negra H-1, bul. Vasil Aprilov 116, tel. 0888 699 211. Small piano bar with retro and jazz  live music - piano, guitar and saxophone. The furniture is a combination of leather sofa seating and wooden l ow chairs and bar plots. The best place you can position yourself of  course is at the piano (there are special seats) where you are closest to all the soul food need ed- music and drinks. 65 places. QOpen 23:00 - 05:00. Closed Mon, Sun. Admission: 5Lv. PEX

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nightLiFe Red Eye Bar F-2, ul. Gladston 8, tel. 0898 484 771. Cool bar which attrac ts young people with l ove for for rock, hiphop, jazz or alternative music. There isn’t any kind of sign or indication for the bar, so you will have to use your sixth sense to find it. It’s right a cross from from the Plovdiv municipality  building, buildin g, next to Allianz Bank. First you go few steps down and when you see the painted naked woman on the wall of the green corridor (if the wood en door is open) go in and take the stairs up. You You will get into a small bar wi th few wooden tabl es and a bar with stools. They also have a balcony where you can spy on the people walking along the central pe destrian street. Due to its cen tral location, during the day, day, this is the most popular place for young folks to drop by for a cool beer  on their way to somewhere. There is a TV in th e corner, corner, so if  there is a game you d o not want to miss, d on’t worry. QOpen 9:00 - 23:00. PJX Trakiyski Stan (Club Orpheus Welness) D-3, ul. Paldin 7, tel. 032 62 36 76/0878 413 368, office@ orpheusclub.com, orpheusclub.com, ww w.orpheusclub.com. w.orpheusclub.com. This is a piano bar found in a garden behind the hi gh stone walls of the typical asymmetrical Renaissance house in the Old Town Town of  Plovdiv. It has 3 balconies from which the night view to the city is amazing. The seating is wooden and the lighting is arranged with garden torches and candles. Th ere is a mural of Orpheus, greenery, authentic fountain and a grand piano. They have ha ve evening evening shows - piano, guitar and a singer per forming evergreen and popular music. There is also karaoke with rich repertoire and flat screen TV for the lyrics. The place also offers a food menu including several choices of salads, appetizers, main courses and pancakes, so you will not have a hard time choosing. T Try ry the broccoli wi th blue cheese or th e pork fillet with pes to basil and parmesan. The menu is also in English and the personnel speak English, German, Greek  and Russian. The place is open from May till mid October  and has place for 70 people. QOpen 17:00 - 24:00. (7-9Lv).

JEBXW

Club Phobia D-2, ul. Rayko Daskalov 53. This is the ultimate place for the fans of hip-hop, raga, reggae, funk  and break-beat music. You just have to go downstairs - not  very large, but wi th space enough for dancing. Wooden bars and quite free atmosphere. Often the club is a home to psychedelic-trance parties. If there is admission, it is more than cheap- from 3 to 5Lv. 5Lv. Q PJEXW

Lebowski F-1, ul. Gladston 1, tel. 0898 30 24 24, http://www.clublebowski.com. The club is situated in an old socialist building, still known as “The Techniques’ House”, near the cit y garden. garden. On the small scene of the club there are often art per formances, formances, concer ts of young BulgarBulgarian and foreign bands and di fferent ferent kinds of club parties. Th e place is spacious and simply decorated. There are even two sofas and easy chairs for for having a rest wi th the “Whi te Russian” cocktail in your hand, exactly as Lebowski himself  loves it. Young Young people, good music and low prices, what else could you need for a perfect night? QOpen 9:00 - 04:00.

PJEBXW

Plazma H-2, bul. Hristo Botev 82, tel. 032 62 47 61/0885 530 500, [email protected], http:// clubplazma.com/. The full time house, techno and electronic music venue in town. State of the art sound system, DJ equipment and illumination. There are DJ parties every  Friday and Saturday. QOpen 22:00 - 08:00. Admission: 6-15Lv. PJX

The Fabric E-3, ul. Otets Paisiy 31, tel. 0898 484 771. The Fabric is a new club in th e centre of town and in order to get in you have to ring a bell and be let in. The ceiling is tall with crossing beams and there are a couple of mini bars on the side and a main huge bar to the righ t. The interior is mainly  wooden and brings warmth and cer tain cosiness. There are comfy tables with couches on the left side when getting in. During the weekdays, the place is quiet but the weekends

Clubs Club Marmalad C-2, ul. Bratya Pulievi 3, 0898 653 753, www.marmalad.bg. Behind a massive black door this club boasts a unique atmosphere. Brick walls, muted lightin g, black and white photos, wooden and leather furniture and electronic electroni c music adds to the atmosphere. atm osphere. The menu includes

Gay and lesbian Plovdiv Caligula E-3, ul. Knyaz Aleksandar I Batemberg 30, tel. 62 68 67. The only gay&lesbian club in Plovdiv. You will find here a mixed crowd from all ages getting off on a mixture mix ture of MTV MT V tunes and Bulgarian Bulgarian popular music. It has air-conditioning air-conditionin g to keep you cool during during all circumstances. Shows every night at 1, 3 and 5 am. The place is open as long as people are there and it is one of the last to close in Plovdiv. There are 2 halls and usually it is quite crowded. The bathrooms are not the cleanest. QOpen 23:00 - 08:00. PJ a wide range of drinks, as well as salads, sandwiches and desserts. Th e Marmalad programme is varied: Wednesday  - karaoke night, Thursday Bulgarian band night, Friday girls  friday party, party, Saturday DJ DJ part y. Expe ct “the wh ole city to be in……Marmalad”. QOpen , Mon, Tue 09:00 - 01:00, Wed, Thu 09:00 - 03:00, Fri 09:00 - 04:00, Sat Sa t 12:00 - 05:00, Sun 12:00 - 24:00. Admission: 5-8Lv 5-8Lv. PJENW

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

get crazy. The music varies from reggae to more jazz y, rock  and chill out stuff and is quite enjoyable and complimentary  as a whole. QOpen 09:00 - 04:00. PW

Folk clubs Paparazi E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 43A, tel. 0888 715 657, www.papa ww w.paparazi-pl.co razi-pl.com. m. One of the most visited live music venues in town. The club is divide d into two separate zones- the main hall, for Folk music. and the Retro Hall. Each

nightLiFe of the halls has its own weekly program. There is a third hall which opens when the visitors exceed the limit of the other two; the music is a mi xture of every every thing. The focus is on folk music (chalga), which is emphasized by the eclectic mixture of design styles. The lavish interior of the main hall is in red, with golden elements and leath er furniture. The long  corridor to the bathroom continues the style where a relief  Silver Moon is placed in combination with en ormous crystal mirrors. The staff are English speaking half-naked girls and live dancers. There is a door policy. policy. The facility has ab out 30 parking places. QOpen 22:00 - 06:00. Closed Sun. Admission: 3-5Lv. PLEN 

Live music clubs Letni Stseni Konyushnite na Tsarya (Summer Stage King’s Stables) D-3, The park between ul. Saborna and ul. Kiril Nektariev, Nektari ev, tel. 0899 448 896/0899 750 109, [email protected]. [email protected]. This open-air complex located in the Old Town of Plovdiv composes of a stage for  live per formances, formances, cock tail bar and restaurant (total of 250 people). The restaurant is built right on top of the Roman ruins (Round turret from the acropolis fortress wall of Philippopolis 4-6 century) and some of th e tables are under thick  ivy, giving the place quite a romantic feel and good escape   from the burning summer sun. The cuisine is with accent  on the Balkan region special ties - Bulgarian, Serbian, Serbian, Greek 

and Turkish. Try the Balkan chicken or the yoghurt with jam. The summer stage is used for all kinds of events - live music performances, concerts, exhibitions, shows and presentations. Up a narrow staircase you get to the cock tail bar where on a huge lawn are arranged the tables and the bar. The music varies from jazz to funk and pop. They claim to offer  the best Mojito in town. QOpen 09:00 - 01:00. (5-12Lv).

J6EBKXW

Petnoto na Rorschach C-2, ul. Yoakim Gruev 34, tel. 0899 448 896/0899 750 109, ivannedelev@yahoo. com, www.petnoto.com. Named after the inkblots of Hermann Rorschach, this place combines a restaurant for 40, night bar for 80 and live music club for 80. The restaurant is a small place with a few tables inside and a few outside. The cuisine is Balkan including specialties from Greece, Turkey, Serbia and Bulgaria. The night bar is big ger with a few wooden wooden tables along the bar, several bar plots with stools and two separated tables with sofa seating. The live music club is the most interesting of the three. I t has a small stage for for live performances, a bar and high tables with stools. It is also one of the most m ost visited places plac es in Plovdiv. Young Young crowds gather  here for the li ve performance of their favourite band or just to enjoy the DJ’s sets of jazz, funk, pop, rock, Bulgarian popular  music, R&B, dance, etc. Petnoto also gives the opportuni ty for  each site member to propose their own set list, which will be played if i t gets enough votes on the website. There are also

Guidelines to Bulgarian lifestyle, bars, clubs and discos ebreakers are compliments compliments on the country: Th e 1. Good ic ebreakers  food, the football, the women, the inventions created by  Bulgarians Bulgarians such as the Cyrillic alphabet an d so on. As additional benefit you might get an interesting story or two. Make them talk, they love it. 2. Strong drinks (vodka, whisky etc.) come in quantities of 50ml for a small and 100ml for a large. In some places, unless you specifically ask for small you will be handed a large by default. 3. Rakia Rakia must onl y be drunk with shopska salad. Don’t ask  us why, it just should. If you order one without salad you may well be looked at as if you are from Mars. 4. The Bulgarian for “cheers” is nazdrave, which literally  means “to your health”. If some one proposes a toast (and this could happen innumerable times during th e course of  the evening) you have to clink your glass with absolutely  everyone, no matter how many are sitting round the table, making sure to look in the eye at the point of clinking. If you  fail to make eye contact, they will think you are disrespect ful (or just an uninformed foreigner). The custom comes   from ancient times. In days gone by kings, khans and other important figures would look deep into the eyes of  the person they cheer to guess his intentions. Then they  would bang their glasses so hard, so that a drop of each drink gets into the oth er (mixing (mixin g the drinks would guarantee guarantee they are not poisoned). 5. Be prepared to mix your own drinks. Whilst in England a “vodka and coke” means a nice mixed drink from the bar, in BG it means 1 vodka (most likely large) and 1 coke. coke. Mix i t  yourself to your own perfect proportions. Cheers. 6. Bring a gas mask. Many Bulgarians are heavy smokers although this becomes less with new generations. Some bars can be closed in and stuffy places. Combine this with a crowd of 40 a day hardcore smokers and you get quite a fog. 7. Take advantage of the hospitality of the Bulgarian soul. You might be invited to dinners, parties, cocktail parties, promotions, etc. Generally Bulgarians love foreigners.

8. Tr y not to stare at women that are accompanie d by their  boyfriends, no matter how beautiful they are, it might be taken as an insult. 9. Try to avoid conflict i f you notic e Bulgarian people stare at your wife/girlfriend, or at yourself, usually they will be  just curious. Don’t forget forget some 19 years ago th e majority  of people didn’t even meet foreigners from beyond the iron curtain, so you are still new and exciting. Bravo! 10. Don’t try to act overly macho, particularly in more provincial towns or cities. Unless of course you are Mike Tyson. 11. When in a bar do not shout or insult the waiters or other  staff staff members, i t may b e taken very deeply. 12. If you feel that someone is in some way being threatening or intimidating to you, it is often best to befriend them. In many cases locals feel threatened by foreigners and try to show themselves as tough but when you act  as equals and friends they will often almost immediately  drop this façade. 13. If however h owever a conflict situation rises, leave immediately. Do not s tay around and add on to th e fire. Bulgarians Bulgarians are very social and family driven and under a common goal a big group of people is summoned very fast. 14. In bars you can not bring drugs, guns or other forbidden substances. Pretty much like most places you have been in your li fe. 15. Big fat silver chains that you could anchor a boat with are an absolute must. Tha t is if you want to appear young, cool, like a gangster or simply need to anchor a boat. 16. If you are going out on a Friday night to a bar and want to blend in like a local, it is essential that you haven’t shaved for at least 3 days. Dressing entirely in black is a bonus. 17. Girls, for you to catch the attention of Bulgarian men,  just act natural and dress sexy.

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nightLiFe On Monday and Sunday no admission fee, Thursday ladies go in for free. PAEX

Pubs Pozharnata (The Fire House) G-3, ul. Tsar Asen 4, tel.

membership cards which give you free access on weekends when there is entry fee (1Lv). During live performances the entry fee is higher. higher. QOpen 08:00 - 04:00. PEKX

Retro Club Liqueur H-1, bul. Vasil Aprilov 15, tel. 0898 806 513, www.clubliqueur.com. A preferred place amongst amon gst the local folks who love retro, rock, evergreen, R&B, dance and occasional live music. The place i s on two floors and usually usuall y quite full on Fridays Fridays and Saturdays, so come early  to get a nice table. The setting i s in red and black with sofas and stools along s everal everal bar plots and many flat screen T Vs. It is a small modern club with good luminous effects. There are also special alcohol promotions for each day of the week. Just ask. QOpen 22:00 - 04:00. Admission: 3-5Lv.

032 63 41 92. Close to the city fire department, hen ce the name and near Plovdiv University this b eer house is popular  with studen ts and all people who enjoy a cold be er. er. And n ot  only. only. The food is good and the prices affordable. affordable. The place is spread out on four floors, one of them und erground, with the modest capability of hosting about 120 people and the typical wooden beer h ouse interior with pictures on the walls. The radio blasts rock music and in the summer time there is a small garden on the first floor to enjoy. QOpen 09:00 23:00. (6-8Lv). PAS

Rozenhof D-1, ul. Hristo Danov 36, tel. 032 63 11 57. This unique Belgium beer-house is loca ted in the immediate vicinity of the centre of the city. The beer is served in specially  cooled glasses with all the be er serving techniques. Here you can enjoy different brands of beer with Leffe and Hoegarden being th e most popular. popular. Of course, you can tr y the Bulgarian beer as well. The staff are very helpful. QOpen 09:00 24:00. PTJABW

Casinos Casino and Bingo Ritz A-2, ul. Vasil Levski 11, tel. 032 95 01 10/0888 508 583. Located close to the International Fair Plovdiv this is the bi ggest casino in Pl ovdiv. ovdiv. It is on two floors and offers table games - roulette, black   jack, Caribbean poker, Texas hold’em poker, 3-card poker  and slot machines. They organize different tournaments and lotteries, where the Texas hold’em poker is the most  popular. In the same building they also have a Bingo hall with ac cumulation of jackpot and car prize. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. POALX

Casino Budha A-2, ul. Zlatyu Boyadzhiev 1, tel. 0886 496 530. Slot machines and el ectronic roulette. Lotter y. The winner gets a 2 hour free limousine ride. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. POX Casino Eldorado A-2, ul. 11 Avgust 5. Slot machines and electronic roulette. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. PO

Casino Life E-3, ul. Patriarh Evtimiy 12. Slot machines. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. POX Casino Magic City J-8, bul. Iztochen 48, tel. 0899 931 271. Slot machines and electronic roulet te. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. POAX Casino Moskva E-3, ul. Otests Paisiy 24, tel. 0878 20 15 42. Slot machines and eletronic roulette. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. POJX Casino Sesame E-4, ul. Patriarh Evtimiy 13, tel. 0885 441 545. Slot machines and electronic roulet te. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. POX Las Vegas Casino Club F-2, ul. Gladston 7-9, tel. 032 62 00 77. Good choice of slot machines and 2 electronic roulettes. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00.. POJX

Quick picks E at

Se e & Do

Sl eep

D ri n k & D a n c e

Trendy

Bar And Grill “Fresh”mmm yummy (page 25)

Banya Starinna – where the past has shaped the future (page 53)

Hotel Romantika – romance and sentiment  await you (page 17)

Lebowski – meet the rest in town(page 32)

Cheap

Dayana III – fill your b elly, withou t braking the wallet (page 22)

Rowing Canal – for  sporting or for relaxation

Hikers Hostel – a nonstop party paradise (page 20)

Red Eye Bar – a beer  or two? (page 31)

Crowd

Pizza Classic – pizza, pasta, salads(page 27)

Dhzumayata square – everybody walks by 

Complex Aqualand – get wet (page 17)

Fabric – the new place in town (page 32)

Luxurious

Restaurant Puldin where three epochs meet (page 23)

Casino and Bingo Ritz  - Texas hold’em poker  tournament(page...

The Old Town Residence – will take you back in time(page 17)

Life club – cheeky  place where youngsters meet(page 31)

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

what to see

Old Town, Old Town, Old Town get yourself to the Old Town of Plovdiv. Look away from the after war socialist mischief’s in the suburbs unless this is your kick. Get yourself  to the Old Town Town and get in touch with th e true colour ful spirit of Bulgaria. For those who haven’t had enough we includ ed some unmissabl e day trips. So where do you go? go? When in Plovdiv, one should never leave without taking a walk in the Old town. This ancient living area has almost   frozen in a centuries-old painting. Only the occasional cars, graffiti and power installations on the streets and the colourful signs on the houses remind you that you don’t  have to return to the time machi ne. This historical hill, albeit commercially infested with bars and restaurants, is still a national treasure, as it preserves to a certain extent, the legacy of the Bul garian Revival.

the first firs t dirge for for Zahari Stoyanov was served. serve d. In 1890 knyaz  Ferdinand and his mother - Knyaginya Klementina visited the church. The temple was painted by Petar Dzhamdzhiev in 1950. There are two altars of the Holy Martyrs Sofia, Vyara Nadezhda and Lyubov (mother Sofia and daughters Faith, Hope and Love) and Sv. Bezsrebrenitsi i Chudotvorets Kozma i Damyan.

Churches Catholic Cathedral St Ludwig E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 3, tel. 032 62 84 30. It is located in the central city area, diagonally diagonally opposite the Or thodox Church of St. Petka Petka - New . The church was built by the famous master from Bratsigovo Ivan Boyanov. Marie-Louise Burbonska Knyaginya Bulgarian, wife of Prince Ferdinand was buried here in 1899.

The church of St Petka E-4, pl. Sveta Petka, tel. 032 63 32 64. St. Petka - Prepodobna (Venerable) -Bulgarska (Bulgarian), also called Epivatska was born in the XI c. by  Bulgarian parents in the city of Epivat, which is between Silivria and Constantinople. Her relics are now found in Yash, Romania. The temple was built betwe en 1888 and 1890. The  first liturg y was served on the 4th of December, 1888 1888 and St. Antiminis’s icon was laid in. On the 5th of September 1889

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what to see Mosque Dzhumaya mosque D-2, pl. Dzumayata. Dzhumaya mosque is the main Muslim temple in Plovdiv. During the conquest of the town in 1371 by the Ottomans the Church St. Petka Tarnovkska Tarnovkska was place d here. Sul tan Murad II (1421  - 1451) destroyed the old building and built today’s mosque, called Dzhumaya Ulu Mosque - a major Friday mosque. The people called it Muradie in honor of the ruler. Dzhumaya mosque is one of the oldest Ottoman religious buildings in the Balkans, and among the biggest in Bulgaria. Today the mosque is acting Muslim temple and is visited not only on religious holidays, and also during the week by the Muslim community in Plovdiv. A remarkable solar clock, a donation  from a Russian officer, officer, is placed place d on the south-wes tern corner  of the building. See how the land lies and go ahead to the other Plovdiv attractions!

Museums Museum of Aviation (Muzei na Aviatsiata) K-8, near Plovdiv Airport, tel. 032 90 63 58, fax 032 63 66 78, [email protected]. This unique museum is located 15 km south of Plovdiv, near the airport and presents the history of Bulgarian Aeronautics & Aviation. There is a big  out-door exposition which includes m otor and gliders, zenith and radio-locating stations. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon, Tue. Admission: 2Lv. Lecture: 10Lv.

Natural Science Museum D-1, ul. Hristo Danov 34, tel. 032 62 66 83. The museum was opened to the public in 1955. The building is the th e old building of Plovdiv municipalit y, built in 1880 by the well-known architect Yosif Shniter. The museum is one of th e most significan t in Bulgaria, with large collections in Palaentology, Mineralogy, and Botany. Space is also devoted to the animal world and in the basement is the largest freshwater aquarium in Bulgaria with 40 kinds of  decorative fish es and a few amphibians. Especially valuable valuable is the museum’s collection of Rhodope minerals. QOpen 08:30 - 17:00. Admisson: 2Lv, Lecture: 5Lv. The Museum of History Exposition “Union of  Bulgaria 1885” C-2, pl. Saedinenie 1, tel. 032 62 94 09, [email protected], www.historymuseumplovdiv. com. Organized for for the first time in 1985, alongside with th e construction construc tion of the Unification Memorial, this museum is dedicated to the Uni fication of East Roumelia with the Bulgarian Bulgarian Principality Principali ty (September (Septemb er 6th, 1885). The Historical Museum is placed in the beauti ful old building building constructed by th e Czech engineer Brada - a house that on ce hosted the m eetings of  the East Roumelia’s Roumelia’s governorship. governorship. After the Uni fication, this building housed th e Plovdiv National Library. Library. The exposition  features the short but remarkable period of 8 years when Plovdiv used to b e the capital capi tal of East Roumelia. Many Many pictures, pic tures, personal belongings, documents and decorations of the fighters for for the Union and the participants par ticipants in the Serbian-Bulgarian war are shown here. Admission: 2Lv, lecture 6Lv. QOpen 09:30 - 12:30, 13:00-18:00, Sat 09:30 - 17:00. Close d Sun. Admisson: 2Lv, Lecture: 4Lv.

Other Oth er sights sights Ancient Philippopolis’s Forum E-3, . The Forum (agora) of ancient Philippopolis is situated at the southern foothills of the Three Hills and is a remarkable architectural complex. It consists of a vast square space (area) with dimensions approximately approximately 100 by 112 meters, covered with well-polish ed marble slabs and surrounded by an arcade with Corinthian pilasters. The columns are set at regular intervals of six meters and support a b road awning that covers covers a traffic al-

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

ley (ambulatio), next to which trade premises were arranged. arranged. Thus, the whole space closes into a square by a single imposing construction. Archaeological research up to now has shown that this is big gest complex of of its kind discovered on the territory of ancient Thrace.

River Maritsa . River Maritsa separates Plovdiv Plovdiv into two parts. It takes its source from the Marichinite lakes of Rila and flows into the Aegean Sea. It is 525km lon g 322 of which are on Bulgarian territory. The ancient name of Maritsa was Hebros. In the past the ri ver was was navigable, but af ter the clearing of the forests during during the Ottoman O ttoman occupation the reser voir  lowered. Maritsa has about 100 tributarie s. It flows along the cities of Stara Zagora, Svilengrad, Belovo and others. The basin of Maritsa has great importance for the preservation of the biological diversity of th e unique vegetation and animal animal species of South ern Bulgaria. Bulgaria. ul . Centre for modern art Banya Starinna, D-3 ul. Konstantin Stoilov 36, tel.032 63 88 68, Open: 09:0018:00This old Turkish bath is now a centre for modern art  where young people organize different kind of events – eco  festivals,  festivals, electronic par ties, many non conventional forms of  art, social events and art installations.

The Roman stadium D-2, . Under the present day Shopping center in Plovdiv, Plovdiv, is lo cated the ma gnificent Roman Roman stadium. Its rostrums were built over the Sahat tepe and Taxim tepe (hills). The stadium has the form of horseshoe and is 180 meters long and th ere are 30 000 seats. Some archeologists think that h ere were held games from the Septimus Severus time (193-211). (193-211). The most impor tant competitions were the Alexandrian games, which were just like the Greek  Olympic games. The main sport branches were the discus and javelin, run, jumps and fights. Th e games were organized organized every 4 years and continued for a few days.

what to see Parks & Gardens The City Garden (Gradskata Gradina) . This beautiful park ,also known as the garden of Tsar Simeon, is a great  place to escape from the h eat. It’s located just off off the Central Square and offers a lot of benches for rest. Inside the park  you will find beau tiful trees, plants, alleys, different sculptures, monuments and drinking fountains. fountains. There is an artifi cial lake lake with a fountain fountain and a children’s children’s playground. playground. In th e afternoon you will find the local oldies gathered for a game of chess or cards, in big groups, surrounding the players. Beware of  mosquitoes.

Statues Monument of Fraternization Cities . Located at pl. Tsentralen till Cen tral Post Office, the monumen t was unveiled on 2007 and represent finger-post of fraternization Cities with distance from Plovdiv till them.

Monument of Philip II Makedonski . Located in the centre right n ext to Dzhumaya mosque this monument was erected in 2004 after great dispute between historians for  the authenticity of facts. The statue is work by Kiril Naidenov and represents Philip II Makedonski (382 BC - 336 BC.  founder of Philipopolis and father of Alexander the Great. It  is believed that Philip II of Macedon conquered the Thracian City Evmolpia Evmolpia and gave the name Philippopolis Philippopolis to the present cit y of Plovdiv. Plovdiv.

The Unification Monument . At the centre of the UnificaUnifi cation Square, this monument was erected to the remembrance of the 100th anniversary anniversary of the uni fication of the Principality  of Bulgaria and the autonomous region of Eastern Rumelia on the 6th of September 1885. The monument presents the Mother-Country with the laurel headdress of victory  stretched in her hands. Her two wings symbolize the two regions brou ght togeth er. er. The statu e is a creation of Velichko Velichko Minekov. Minekov. Very Very impressi i mpressive ve if you take yoursel f up to Bunardzik  Hill. Commemorating Commemorating th e liberation of Bulgaria by the Russian army from the Nazis, Al yosha looks out over Plovdiv Plovdiv as i f he is protecting the ci ty for years to come. The monument dates  from the mid fifti es of the last centur y and is a combined work  of Radoslavov, Zankov, Kozev and Topalov.

Locate d in the centre, close cl ose to TromonThe Spiral Statue . Located tsium Hotel and Central Post Office. The statue was unveiled on 31.12. 2006. 2006. It was built to commemorate the membership memb ership of Bulgaria in the Europe Union. The statue is a synthesis of metal, water and light unified in spatial composition. The statue statu e is by Gorge Track Track and the idea id ea for the spiral was given by the ex Mayor of Plovdiv Dr. Ivan Chomakov.

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what the oLd to town see The Th e Old Town When in Plovdiv Plovdi v, one should never leave withou wi thou t taking a walk  in the Old town. This ancient living area has almost frozen in a centuries-old painting. Onl y the occasional cars, graffiti graffiti and power installations on the streets and the colour ful signs on the houses remind that you don’t have to return to the time machine. This historical hill, albei t commercially infested with bars and restaurants, is still a national treasure, as it  preserves to a certain extent, the legacy of the Bulgarian Revival. Especially Especially in teresting are the old houses and some of  the exhibitions, place d in them. Asking: “Where are the display  windows?” is usually pointless as everything either is, or is made to look as if old enough to be put in an ethnographic museum. People have been b uilding on the hills of Pl ovdiv ovdiv for  the last five thousand years, mostly be cause the low ground was periodically flooded by th e river Maritsa. This This turned the town we know today in a disease-laden swamp. swamp. The set tlement and the ci ty have been burned and pillaged numerous times, but one can still see many Revival Revival period h omes and plenty of Roman stone, which as we know, is hard to burn. Most of the houses we see today were built in th e 18th and 19th centuries. Th ese were hard times for the Ottoman Empire, but many of the Bulgarians actually prospered under th e Turkish Yoke. Yoke. War War is h ell, but sometimes i t can have a p ositive impact on a whole country’s culture, as is the case with th e Bulgarian Revival. In the year 1826 Sultan Mahmud II made an important importan t military reform, creating a mo dern, regular army. army. The ne ed of clothes, shoes and provisions for the numerous Turkish personnel, caused a boom in Bulgarian crafts and small manufacturers and traders made fortunes from supplying th e militar y. Soon after a fter,, the natural na tural desire to show off ones

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

economic prosperity, made the rich citizens of Plovdiv build big, one of a kind houses, which amaze the observer even today. today. The old h ouses of Plovdiv are classified as two typ es. The early asymmetrical and the late symmetrical, depending  on the positions of the living quarters. The older houses have some of the features features of the village homes. Th e big terrace, under th e roof, accessible by stairs, called “chardak”, “chardak”, which can be seen in every Bulgarian house, has been closed with windows to form a “hayet”- a living room for the owner and his family. family. Usually b edrooms and even servi ce premises are connected to this parlour, which is the most important and elaborately decorated room in the house. Typical for the “hayet” are the so called “alafrangi” – niches in the walls, covered with mural paintings of landscapes. Also present in almost every every parlour is the wood carving on th e ceiling with geometrical motifs and the ever present present sun. Depending on the builder’s decision, the houses usually ha d cold basements under the ground floors. The differentiation differentiation of the two types of revival houses comes from the positions of the rooms and “hayet” – if the parlour is placed in th e middle and the rooms encircle it evenly, evenly, the h ouse is called symmetrical. The oth er  type is asymmetrical as rooms are freely positioned and may  not be c onnected to the main one. Most revival houses are elaboratel y decorated. decorate d. Walls, Walls, ceilings and parts of the façade façade are mural painted with floral moti fs; ceilings, ceilings, porches, doors and furniture are wood carved and painted. For the houses of Plovdiv, the most beautiful decorations are made by the  famous masters Moka and Mavrudi. In the end we should note that almost every every thing we know about the architecture of the Old Town, we owe to the archite ct Christo Chris to Peyev. Peyev. Actually some of the most popular houses were actually rebuilt  by architectural copies, made by him.

the oLd town

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the oLd town Houses & Churches [28] Ancient Plovdiv Municipal Institute D-3, ul. Konstantin Stoilov 50, tel. 032 63 33 80, stargrad@ oldplovdiv.com, www.oldplovdiv.com. A scientific and cultural institute for gathering, preservation, scientific research and popularizing of the historic evidence for the past  of Plovdiv and Plovdiv region for the period of XV do XX c. Established in 1951, the institute has 4 main expositions: “Revival”, arranged in Georgiadi house, “Union of Bulgaria with East Roumelia 1885”, “Museum of History Exposition Book Publishing” and “New history”. They are found in different places in the cit y.

[46] Andrey Georgiadi House D-3, ul. Mitropolit Paisiy 6. This revival building is one of the most beau tiful and preserved asymmetrical h ouses in the Old Town. Town. Just do not  distract your senses with the th e view of the river Maritsa and pay  attention to this revival classic. classic. It has a spacious “hayet” with an especially good wood-carved ceiling with a sun moti f. There are also some interesting friezes to be seen th ere. [25] Armenian church St Kevork (Armenska Turist 2, tel. 032 63 28 tsurkva Sveti Kevork) C-3, ul. Turist 04. The Armenian Church was built, or better said “rebuilt” in the year 1828, because b efore efore 1767 it use d to be an Orthodox temple called St. George. It is a massive three-nave church with two t wo rows of stone pillars. pillars. It also has a small chapel and a belfr y in the yard.

[35] Artin Gidikov House C-3, ul. Chetvarti yanuari 15. This is a two storey revival house of the symmetri cal type. It is an in tegral part of the picturesque architectural complex “January 4th” and has a b eautiful front porch, a sun-shaped wood-crafted ceiling and wall paintings by the famous masters Moka and Mavrudi.

[27] Balabanov House Museum (Balabanova kashta) C-3, ul. Konstantin Stoilov 57, tel. 032 62 70

82. The Balabanov H ouse is situated si tuated in the Old Town Town and was built in the early 19th cen tury as ordered by i ts then owner, owner, Hadzhi Panayot Lampsha, Lampsha, but i t still bears the name of its later  owner - Luka Balabanov. Balabanov. Having been b een completely destroyed, d estroyed, it  was reconstructe d in 1980 1980 in accordance accordanc e to the architectural archite ctural copies made by th e late Plovdiv architect Christo Peyev. Peyev. The Balabanov house is a Revival symmetrical building and was built similar to the houses of the rich on the Bosphorus coast, in the vicinity of Istanbul. It is furnished with copies of original 19th furniture. Today Today the Plovdiv Municipality uses this magnificent h ouse as a Reception Hall and it i s a centre of various cultural activities. Admission: 5Lv, 5Lv, lecture le cture 30Lv 3 0Lv (for a full tour  around the Old Town). QOpen 09:00 - 17:30.

[29] Birdas House D-3, ul. Saborna 45, tel. 032 62 02 34. This symmetrical house was built between 1820 and 1830. It has two facades, from one side it seems it is on one floor and from the other on three floors. Interesting  about the h ouse is that it misses an underground basement  specific for every Bulgarian revival house. The basement  here is built on the ground floor. floor. The next intermediate flo or  was used for the servants. On the second flo or is the hayet, around which are built the rooms and b edrooms. The ceilings of all the rooms are decorated with fretwork. You enter the house via a staircase which is winde d by a h undred-year-old undred-year-old wisteria plant. The house was first owned by Dr. Dimitar  Birdas, Birdas, the first certi ficated surgeon in Plovdiv, also famous  for  for examining examining th e French poet Alfonso de Lamartine, during  his stay in Plovdiv. After a big fire, the house was renovated by the hu sband of The ofana (the daugh ter of Dr. Dr. Birdas) - Zisi Nemocglu who had his initials painted on it. The h ouse is now used as the official acceptance hall for the Mayor of Plovdiv. QOpen 09:00 - 17:30. Closed Sat, Sun. [21] City Art Gallery Plovdiv D-3, ul. Saborna 14A, tel. 032 63 53 22, [email protected]. The con tinuous exhibition of the City Art Gallery Plovdiv is housed in the building  of the Plovdiv High School for girls. More than 300 paintings, drawings and sculptures show the development of Bulgarian art from the Bulgarian National Revival till the present day. You can see here paintings of Stanislav Dospevski, Nikolay  Pavlovich, Georgi Danchov, Anton Mitov, Hristo Stanchov and Ivan Markvichka. The Gallery was founded in 1952. QOpen 09:00 - 17:30, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:30. Admisson: 1Lv, 1Lv, Le cture: ctur e: 10Lv 1 0Lv..

[16] Dr. St. Chomakov House D-3, ul. Saborna 18, tel. 26 07 07. The remarkable Revival house of Dr. Stoyan Chomakov Chomakov is lo cated on ul. Saborna 18. The modern for its time building was built in 1860 in the classic European style with symmetrical façade. Dr. Stoyan Chomakov is one of the  first certified physicians in Plovdiv prior to the liberation of  Bulgaria. He is famous for for his strug gle for independen t Bulgarian church during during th e Renaissance Renaissance perio d. After the lib eration the house h ouse was consigne d a residency of Tsar Tsar Ferdinand. After  the 1950s the house was use d as a branch to the national library “I van Vazov”. Vazov”. In 1980 here was settled th e permanent  exhibition of Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, a famous Bulgarian painter  (1903-1976).

[12] Ethnographic Museum (Etnografski Muzei) C-3, ul. Dr. Stoyan Chomakov 2, tel. 032 62 56 54/032 62 52 57. Among the most frequently visited sites and impressive museums of Plovdiv we mention the Ethnographi c Museum. It is situated in a historic revival house known as th e Kuyumdzhiev House. The h ouse was granted granted the status of a National Monument of Culture. The “Royal House” as it was called, has 12 big rooms and about 130 windows. The most  striking feature of the museum is the wooden ceilin g carvings; a different different motif is displayed in each room. On the second s econd floor,

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

the oLd town designs and the typical sun-motif woodcarving. Nowadays it  is an art centre and museum, called Philipopolis. The first floor  exhibits works of Bulgarian classic painters as well as guest  contemporary contemporar y ones. The second floor is a constant display of  the Maletsovi family’s private art collection. The an tique shop of Hadzhi Alekovata kushta is housed h ere as well.

[3] Hadzhi Dragan Kaloferetsa House D-4, ul. Petko R. Slaveykov 32. This may just be the most beautiful baroque house in Plovdiv. Plovdiv. It I t has und ergone numerous restorarestorations and uplifts, bu t its classic features can still amuse eyes and cameras: the porch wi th four wooden pillars and lavishly  decorated railing, the symmetri cal façade, façade, the marble stone “maaza” and the especially decorated bathroom. I t is of the late, symmetrical type and was later known as the house of  Ivan Koyumdzhioglu. [34] Hindlian House Museum C-3, ul. Artin Gidikov

one sees an ornate rosette spanning the entire width of the room. Public concerts of chamber music are presented in the beautiful courtyard throughout the summer months. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00, 14:00-17:30, Fri 14:00 - 17:30. Closed Mon. 5Lv, Lectur Le cture e 10Lv. Admisson:5Lv,

[24] Fortress walls of Philippopolis . The walls of 

4, tel. 032 62 89 98. The h ouse of Stepan Hindliyan (rich Armenian trader) is located in th e western part of the Old Town Town and is one of the most interesting monuments. It was built  during the period 1834-1840 1834-1840 and impresses with i ts artistic decoration and original frescoes from Chirpan’s masters Moka and Mavrudi. Here you can see beautiful landscapes of Alexandria, Constantinople and Venice. The house was restored in 1974 and is equipped with furniture from the Bulgarian Bulgarian Revival period. Permanently open to visitors. Over  the weekend the entrance is via the Balabanovata house. Admission: 5Lv, lecture 30Lv (for a full tour around the Old Town). QOpen 09:00 - 17:30.

ancient ancien t Philippopolis Philippopolis can be seen partially preserved at some places in the Old Town. The en trance to the fortress a t the  famous “Hissar “Hissar Kapya” is almost intact and integrated into the surrounding baroque h ouses. The wall was 2630 meters long and three m etres thick. In the year 251 it was destroyed by invading Goth tribes. In th e year 1954, 1954, the archaeologists discovered a unique round tower, which protected the east  gate to the fortification.

[22] Georgi Klianti House D-3, ul. Knyaz Tseretelev 16. The house of Georgi Klianti was finished finished in 1882, having  been rebuilt and re-designed several times. times. It is a two storey  building of the late asymmetrical type. Unfortunately quite a big portion of the house has been lost, but a unique, low semi-floor, called “himala” was built for storing supplies and  furniture.  furniture. This space lifts th e south rooms ab ove the “hayet”, making the composition of the li ving space more pompous. The ceilings are wood-carved and a big sun moti f is restored in the main hall. This house was built by th e same “maystori” (masters of crafts), who built the Holy Virgin Church. It also has a special role in Bulgarian history as the Russian army  commanders and the citizens of Plovdiv met there at the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war.

[20] Georgi Nikolaidi House B-3, ul. 4 (Chetvarti) yanuari 3. This revival house was built in the year 1870. It is of the symmetrical typ e, has two floors and a basement under  the back rooms. Th e ground floor consists of two cellars and two shops, facing the street. The owner must have been a definite entrepreneur, entrepreneur, as it is the only h ouse with purpose built  stores in the whole Old Town. Town. Club-restaurant Janet is house d there. Read more in our restaurants section (page 26).

[38] Hadzhi Alekova House D-3, ul. Saborna 29. This is a magnificent two storey neo-classical house which combines an asymmetrical second floor with symmetrical  façade  façade and first floor. floor. The eye is easily distracted here by th e nice porch and the summer garden with a panoramic view of  Plovdiv. Plovdiv. The house hous e itself itsel f has a spacious “hayet” with rich floral

[13] Hissar Kapia D-3, ul. Tsanko Lavrenov. One of  the unique architectural and historical ensembles, and the symbol symb ol of Plovdiv. The name of thi s place came from Turkish Turkish and means “The Ga te of the Fortress”. Actually the gate exexists on this place from deep antiquity. Below the l evel of the street pavement (kaldaram) are located th e old foundations, dating back to Roman times, times, probably from the 2nd c entury  and a remake from 12th-14th centuries. During the Renais-

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the oLd town sance and the early 20th cen tury the gate was reconstructed and was saved from collapse. On the north of the fortress entrance, the foundations of the old fortress wall can be seen. This construction is used as s base for a major revival house of Kuyumdzhioglu, Kuyumd zhioglu, which ben ds over Hissar Kapiya. On the south the fortress wall absorbed in bosom of the yard of St. St. Konstantin and Elena Church. From outside of the eastern port small picturesque square is shaped, surrounded by church walls, the facade of Kuyumdzhieva’s Kuyum dzhieva’s house and th e main facade of the home of Dimi tar Georgiadi.

[1] Holy Sunday Church Chur ch (Tsarkva (Tsarkva Sveta Nedelya) D-4, ul. Petko R. Slaveykov 40. This Orthodox temple was built between 1830 to 1833. It has three naves and a dome with a big mural of Jesus, painted on the inside. The iconostasis is elaborately carved from walnut and along wi th icons made by the great masters Dimitar and Zahari Zografs. In an old silver box inside the cr ypt, a bone from the hand of  the holy saint Nedelya is preserved. Visitors can also see two really old Greek Gospels from 1697 and 1737, which were printed in Venice.

[39] Holy Virgin Church (Tsarkva (Tsarkva Sveta Bogoroditsa) D-3, ul. Saborna 6, tel. 032 62 32 65. Cathedral “Holy  Virgin” in Plovdiv Plovdiv is on the place where in the early 9th century  a medieval cathedral dedicated to Holy Virgin’s death was placed. The building was dedicated as a Cathedral in 1189 during the Bishop Konstantin Pantehi. Later the cathedral and the adjoining monastery were destroyed by the Ottoman Turks in 1371. In 1859 the first public worship in the Bulgarian language was made. This was a great achievement  in the fight for an independent church. On March 12, 1860 Metropolitan Paisiy celebrated th e first mass in Bulgarian in the presence of forty Bulgarian priests from the main towns of Plovdiv Diocese and th us note the official official renunciation of 

and St. Elena. In 1830 the walls of the temple were in ruins and it had to be torn down and completely rebuilt with the donation donati on of 200 grosha by Todor Todor Moravenov Moraven ov.. The newl y built  church was one of the biggest for its time - 26m long, 18m wide and 8m high. Unique for Plovdiv is also the iconostas and fretwork in the Baroque style mad e by Joan Pashkula in Vienna. Zahari Zograf (famous (famous Bulgarian artist who li ved and worked in Plovdiv during 1836-1840) made the entire first  row of the al tar icons. Here is found also the small icon of St. Constantine and St. Elena which is b elieved to be miraculous and healing. QOpen 08:30 - 19:00. J

[31] Church of St Dimitar (Tsarkva (Tsarkva Sveti Dimitur)

power to the Constantinoples Constan tinoples Patriarchate. After the creation of the Bulgarian Exarchate in 1872 Plovdiv Plovdiv welcomes i ts first  Bulgarian bishop - Panaret, again in this temple. After the liberation of Bulgaria in 1881 architect Joseph Shniter add ed to the building three storied tower with dome. It reads: “Въ память освободителямъ.” (In memory of the liberators),

with which label the Plovdiv population dedicate it on of the Russian forces, liberated the town of January 4, 1878.

[14] Hram St Konstantin and St Elena D-3, ul. Saborna 24, tel. 62 45 73. Built in the 4th century right on top of the ruins of the antique fortress in the Old Town this is the oldest Christian temple in Plovdiv. First it was devoted to St. Severian Severian and St. Memnos who were beheaded h ere in 304 because of their Christian faith together wi th 36 Plovdiv marty rs. In 313 the temple was renamed to St. Constantine

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Yellow school D-3, ul. Todor Samodumov 1. Along with the Yellow and the House of the Ritor, this Orthodox church makes a truly picturesque corner of the Old Town. It was finished in the year 1838. To To enter it you must mu st go through th e big porch. As most of the old churches in Bulgaria, it has three naves and decorated pillars between them. In the n orth east corner  there is a belfry with an outside stairway. Actually it was a Catholic basilica prior to that. Inside the church, there is an impressive and unique marble iconostasis and marvellous icons from the 16th and 17th centuries, some of which were painted by the famous Nikola Nikola Odrinchanin.

[47] Church of St Marina (Tsarkva (Tsarkva Sveta Marina) E-3, ul. Dr. Georgi Geor gi Valkovich 7. This is the main metropolitan metropoli tan church in Plovdiv. It was built in th e bottom bot tom of the Taksim Taksim tepe in 1853, on the ruins of an older church. By its architectural plan, it’s a three-nave pseudo-basilica with a pillar arcade. Inside one can observe the most precious, 21 meter-long  wooden iconostasis, portraying Biblical scenes, people with offerings, flowers, pigeons, crowns and terrifying monsters. The icons ic ons were painted by the famous painters Zahari Zograf, Stanislav Dospevski and Nikola Odrinchanin. The dome of  the church was mural-painted in the year 1866 by Atanas Gyudzhenov Gyud zhenov and Stoyan Andonov. In the churchyard there is the one of a kind 6-storey wooden belfry tower, which can’t  be seen any where else in Bulgaria. Bulgaria.

the oLd town Moravenovi. Moravenovi. Konstantin, who was a very religious and caring  son, had the custom of visiting his m other every morning, mornin g, even after he because famous. Stoilov became the secretary of  Knyaz Alexander I Battenberg (1879-1880) (1879-1880) and la ter chief of  cabinet (1880-1883). (1880-1883). In 1886 he was one of the three peopl e appointed to find a suitable candidate for the Bulgarian throne in the European Courts. He was twice Prime Minister, first in 1887 from July to September and later from 1894 until 1899. He was married by Ekzarh Yosif Yosif himself when h e was 35. He had 4 sons and one daughter. He died in 1901 when he was only 48. The street passing in front of Holy Virgin Church (Sveta (Sveta Bogoroditsa) also b ears his name.

[18] Lamartine House Museum D-3, ul. Knyaz

[45] Church of St Nikola (Tsarkva Sveti Nikola) smalll D-3, ul. Mitropolit Paisiy 4. This Orth odox temple is so smal and humble, that it is hardly noticed on the Taksim tepe. It  was built, or actuall y “restored” from an older church in 1835 with donations from Valko Todorov Chalakov - Chaloglu, who was buried inside. It does not boast beautiful and colourful  frescoes, but still, there are some interesting icons inside. “The Assumption” is painted by the great Dimitar Zograf and the icons of the saints Varvara and Sava by the notorious Zahari Zograf.

Tseretelev 19, tel. 032 63 17 76. The house of Georgi Mavridi (today’s Lamartine House-Museum) is situated at  ul. Knyaz Tseretelev 19 and is one of the largest and most  beauti ful houses in the Old Town. Town. The house was built in 1829 at the corner of three streets. While passing through Bulgaria in 1838, the great French French poet Alphonse de Lamartine spen t  only three days in the house of Georgi Mavridi but that was quite enough for the house to be called more often after 

[6] Church Chur ch of St Petka (Tsark (Tsarkva va Sveta Petka) D-3, ul. Zora. This old Orthodox temple on Dzhambaz tepe is very unpretentious and modest. T he small, one-nave temple temple has often witnesse d fights bet ween Bulgarians Bulgarians and Greeks and is symbolic of the strong faith and strives for church independency of th e Bulgarian Bulgarian people. It was built in the year  1836, again on the ruins of older temples. The iconostasis is simple; there is an an cient icon of St I van Rilski, Rilski, which is of  exceptional exceptional value, along with some icons, painted by Zahari Zograf and Nikola Odrinchanin.

[42] Church of St Kiril and St Metodiy B-3, ul. Chetortho dox temple temple was built in the period varti yanuari 27. This orthodox between 1882-1884 1882-1884 at the same time as the famous Aleksandr Nevskij Nevskij Cathedral in Sofia. I ts decorations were badl y  damaged in an earth quake quake in 1932, bu t are almost restored today. today. It is known as th e only neo-classic Russian style styl e church in Bulgaria. Bulgaria. The monumental building has three dom es with a belfr y in the middle one and numerous beauti ful pillars pillars and arches. It I t was built by the famous archite ct Yosif Yosif Shni ter, ter, who played a major role in th e city planning of Plovdiv. Plovdiv.

[11] Kasandra Bayatova House C-3, ul. D-r Stoyan Chomakov 20. This house was built at the end of th e 18th century and has gone through restoration. It is an asymmetrical one, bu t the balc ony called “chardak” was was closed in 1951 and became a salon “hayet”. The h ouse used to have beauti ful ceilings ceilings of which a colourful rosette is preserved. It  also had a rich decoration with floral motives, part of which can be seen here and there. [32] Kashta na Ritora D-3, ul. Todor Samodumov 8. Along with the Yellow School, this two storey asymmetrical house creates a unique and pi cturesque architecture corner. corner. It has especially nice bay-windows.

[43] Konstantin Stoilov House D-3, ul. Saborna 21. The h ouse was built in the 19 c. b y the parents of Konstantin Stoilov - Stoil Zaarliyata and Maria Moravenova (Grandma Hadzhiyka as she was called by her loved ones). Stoil was engaged with trade and agriculture and Maria comes from the eminent Koprivshtenski (town of Koprivshtitsa) family -

Lamartine’s name rather than its real owner’s. Today the house-museum hosts h osts an exposition of photo albums, a sculpture of the poet, and th e map with Lamartine’s route through Bulgaria. Admission: 5Lv 5Lv, le cture 30Lv (for a full tour around the Old Town). Town). QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

[5] Marazliyata C-4, ul. Petko R. Slaveykov 1. This school was built wi th donations from Marazliyata in 1900. A  hundred and nine years later, later, students are still filling the old building and yard with laughter. [23] Nebet tepe archaeological ar chaeological complex C-3, . The Archaeological complex Nebet tepe stands on the north ern hill of the Old Town. Town. It is na turally protected b y steep rocks and visions of climbing barbarians, being poured on wi th arrows and blistering hot oil, are close to th e imagination. This historical site has be en inhabited since 3000 AD, and pottery, weapweapons and numerous other artefacts from different times and civilizations have been discovered there. In the late Bronze epoch, one of the most important Thracian towns flourished

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what to see on the Hills, protected by a solid fortress fortress wall. It was furth er  developed in medieval times and you can still see a very well preserved water tank, tank, built in the 8th century.

[17] Revival House (Vazrozhdenska kashta) ul. restaurant is h oused here. Read Knyaz Tseretelev 3. Puldin restaurant more in our Restaurants section.

[7] Nedkovich House Museum (Kashta na Nikola Tsanko Lavrenov 3, tel. 032 62 62 Nedkovich) D-3, ul. Tsanko

[37] Stepan Mesrobovich House C-3, ul. Artin Gidikov 9. This revival house is qui te unusual. First of all, because it is a twin-house and second be cause it was built over  a steep terrain. This makes the front façade, which has nic e porches and pillars, appear as a one-storey building, and th e back as if having t wo storeys storeys with balconies and especially  nice bay wind ows. It also has a spacious yard. yard.

16. This revival home was built in 1863 entirely in th e spirit  of European classicism, classicism, and was owned by a famous trader  Nikola Nikola Nedkovich. The house was par tially restored in 1969 and saved many original frescoes. fresc oes. Today Today th e house of Nikola Nedkovich is turned into a mus eum exposition representing  representing  the internal regulation of the rich homes of Plovdiv from 19th century. Furniture Furniture which belonged to th e family is presented here. Admission: 5Lv 5Lv, lecture le cture 30Lv (for a full tour around th e Old Town). QOpen 09:00 - 17:30. Closed Sat, Sun.

[26] Ovanes Stepanyan House C-3, ul. Konstantin Stoilov 56G, tel. 032 63 43 34. This house is completely  untraditional untradi tional and interesting in many ways. It shows the evolution of revival architecture and has several unique characteristics, mostly due to th e builder’s use of the unusual terrain. The  first notable feature is the un traditional atrium, which allows access to all the rooms on th e ground floor. floor. This house h as a balcony on th e corner, corner, not seen in an y other of th e old town buildings. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

[2] Pavliti House (Kashta na Pavliti) D-4, ul. Arh. Hristo Peev 6. It was built in the year 1850, but burned almost completely in 1978 and since then restored with a questionable authenticity of the decorations. It has two  floors, but the big bas ement makes it look like a three storey  one. It h as a nice porch with four pillars. pillars. It is now a Stud ent’s Home of Culture and a youth business centre.

[40] The Ancient Theatre “Trimontsium” (Antichen teatar) D-3, . This is one of the best preserved antique th eatres in the world. This impressive impressive Roman building  is located in the Old Town of Plovdiv in the saddle between the Taksim Tepe Tepe (Hill) and an d Dzhambaz Dzham baz Tepe (Hill). It was b built uilt by  emperor Trayan Trayan (2nd centur y). In the 4th centur y, a big part of  the building was destroyed as a result of fire or earthquake. It  took more than ten years for the archaeologists to remove the 15m thick layer of earth covering the th eatre and even more to restore it. The spectators’ seats with capacity of 5 to 7  000 people are amphitheatrically shape d, divided by s tairs, tairs, into two rings of 14 rows, rows, made of marble. The names of the respective cit y quarters were chiselled on the bench es in each sector. The two tiers are divided by a wide horizontal path. At the stage there is a two-storey two-storey building holding exquisite statues and inscriptions. The quality materials and the exceptional artwork of the theatre show the importance of that  structure. struc ture. Nowadays the Antique Thea tre (Antichen teatar, teatar, as it is referred to) is adapted to the contemporar y cultural life of  Plovdiv and accommodates ab out 5000 spectators.

[19] Ralu Altan Elmaz House D-3, ul. Knyaz Tseretelev 23.

[36] Revival House (Vazrozhdenska kashta C-3, ul. Artin Gidikov 11, tel. 032 62 87 45. This symmetrical two-storey building is known also as the house of Kirkor  Mesrobovich. It is of the symmetrical type and was built in 1846. It has lots of decorations and wood carvings. It hosts the permanent exhibition of the famous painter Tsanko Lavrenov and a permanent display of Mexican art. QOpen 09:00 - 17:30, Sat 10:00 - 17:30. Closed Sun. Admisson: 1Lv, 1Lv, lec l ecture ture 10Lv. 10Lv.

[4] Revival House (Vazrozhdenska kashta) ul. Kiril Nektariev 17, tel. 26 95 95. It is a beautiful house, built on the street line wi th nice bay-windows. Finished in the middle of the 19th century, it is of the early asymmetrical type. It  hosts the “Alafrangite” restaurant (read more about i t in our  Restaurants section page..) and is also considered one of  the many pi cturesque beauties of th e Old Town. Town.

[9] Revival House (Vazrozhdenska kashta) C-4, ul. Petko R. Slaveykov 5, tel. 63 32 11. It was once known as the “P.R. Slaveykov School” and af ter the Lib eration i t  actually became one, bearing the same name. It is a quite big symmetrical house, built through the second half of the XIX centur y. Many generations of students rubbed away the stone stairway from the yard to the b uilding and many di fferent  ferent  styles of trousers slid down the iron guard rail.

[30] Revival House (Vazrozhdenska kashta) ul. Stoyan Cholakov 1. Vazrazhdane community centre with a picture gallery gallery i s housed here.

[15] The Icon collection D-3, ul. Saborna 22, next to St.St. Konstantin and Elena Church, tel. 032 62 60 86. The Icon collection of the Ci ty Ar t Gallery was established established in 1975 and is placed in a separate building in the yard of the oldest Plovdiv Or thodox tho dox Church - the Church of St. St. St. Konstantin Konstantin and Elena. The collection includes icons of the 15th till the end of the 19th c entury entur y, mainly from South Sou th Bulgaria. Here you can see th e works of prominent Renaissance Renaissance icon painters as Zahari Tsanyov of Troyan, Hristo Dimitrov and his sons and Dimitry Zahari Zograf from Samokov, Nikola Odrinchanin and other representatives of the Tryavna’s, Samokovsk’s and Odrinsk’s schools. QOpen 09:30 - 17:30, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:30. Admisson: 1Lv, lecture: 10Lv.

[44] The Museum of History Exposition “Book Publishing” D-3, ul. Mitropolit Paisiy 2, tel. 032 62 94 Danov, Bulgaria’s first large-scale 05. The h ouse of Hristo G. Danov,

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

what to see publisher, publisher, now n ow contains The Museum of Bulgarian Printing. The place is situated very close to the “Virgin Mary” cathedral church in the Old Town. It once belonged to Hristo G. Danov - the founder of book-publishing in Bulgaria, called by his

contemporaries “the Bulgarian Guttenberg”. It was built in the middle of the 19th centur y. The stone foundations of the house are built buil t on solid rock, and it allows a unique view to the town. The Russian knyaz (king) Alexey Nickolaevich Tseretelev Tseretelev

Out of town Asenovgrad was named after the great Tzar Asen the Second, whose stronghold can still be seen on the rocks above the town. It was founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC and was called Stenimah os. There There are numerous artifacts, por traying Greek gods, found in the area and ongoing archeological archeol ogical excavations may be uncovering uncoverin g even more as you are reading this article. In medieval times, Asenovgrad was a fortress, fortress, called Petrich, with an ad jacent  village, and written docu ments of these dark ages, prove it was frequently overrun and robbed by the Normans an d later the Ottoman Turks. Today, Today, the visitor can l earn qui te a lot from the exhibitions of the historical, ethnographic and even the paleontological museums. A walk to the ruins of  Asen’s stronghold will send you back to the times of the Great Crusades. Speakin g of crosses and Christianity, we must note that Asenovgrad is known as the “Little Jeru salem”, because there are fifteen churches, five monasteries and fifty eight chapels, scattered around the town and its outskirts. Some of them are great locations for tourism. Especially good for trekking are the paths to the monasteries Sveta Petka, Sveti Kirik and Arapovski. Of course, there is much m ore to be said about this beauti ful town, than history. It is also known as the “The City of  Wedding Dresses”, because of the many wedding shops in the town. Asenovgrad is famous as a winery ce ntre and the local wines “stanimashka malaga” and “asenovgradski mavrud” are recognized outside of Bulgaria too. The mild climate, characterized by an unusual warm wind at  night, called “vechernik” is a very good regulator of wine  fermentation. Close to the town, there is an artifi cial lake, called “The For ty Springs”, which is a perfect spot for fishing and hunting trips. Asenovgrad is the biggest town in the Rhodope Mountains and second in the Plovdiv district. It is one of the recommended plac es to be visited Devin and Vacha Dam The town of Devin is scattered on the terraces of the western Rhodope Mountains. There is a lot more to this beautiful place than the famous brand of mineral water. The vicinity is known to have the biggest concentration of mineral hot springs on the whole Balkan Peninsula. The mineral waters of Devin have proven effect in curing  cardio-vascular, locomotory locomotory and respiratory problem s and are also especially suitab le for relieving stress. There There are several spa hotels in Devin and the place is known as a good spot for this type of recreational activities. The climate is mild where the mountai n protects the town from the strong cold winds. When roaming in the picturesqu e vicinity, one can easily stumble upon the numerous archeological sites, dating from thousands of years before Christ. The  first settlement, settlem ent, called “Diov”, was was established establishe d by the Thracian tribe “Dii” in th e late Bronze Age. Close to the town lie the remnants of a medi eval fortress, which was one of the last resorts of the Bulgarian kingdom against the Ottoman Empire. To To understand understa nd the history of the region, regi on, it is best to visit the local historical museu m, where you can be lectured about the numerous displayed arti facts. Close to Devin is one of the biggest dams in Bulgaria, called Vacha. It has

the highest dam wall in Bul garia and is used for electricity, irrigation and tourism. The river Vacha, which feeds th e big  artifi cial lake, is very clean and the dam is rich in fish, some of which reach truly record sizes. There are also conditions  for water skiing and boat rides. There are many vill as and several nice hotels on the banks of the dam, as well as a huge monument, reminiscing “good old” communist  times. It is best to take a boat ride in the 30-kilometer  long dam and see the nume rous pontoon houses. For the more adventurous types a climb to the nearby St. Ilia will reveal a majestic view of the whole dam. Just note that  the evenings by the water can be freezing an d it is best to have warm clothes and to sleep i nside. The town of Devin is 200 kilometers away from Sofia and 80 kilom eters from Plovdiv, on the road to Asenovgrad. Perperikon The Sanctuary of the Ancient Bulgarians The ruins of Perperikon are situated 15 kilometers to the north-east of the town of Kardzhali. It stands on a rocky  peak, almost 500 meters above the fertile valley of the river Perperishka, which i s known to have gold in its sand. The earliest traces of inhabitan ts are from the 5th millennium before Christ. The first heyday of this settl ement is in the end of the Bronze Age, 18th to 12th century B.C. The ceramic artefacts of this age reveal unknown gods and worshippers of the sun. In the early Iron Age the Thracians created the first myths and cults of Dionysis and Orpheus. Closely connected with these beliefs and their rituals are the sanctuaries and altars, carved in the rock massif. In 2002, a huge oval hall, cut in the rocks, was discovered, with a big, two meter wide altar of sacri fice. Perperikon, as one can see it today, was built in the period from the 1st  to the 4th century A.D. when the Thracians were invaded by the Roman Empire. It consists of four architectural elements: The Palace – Sanctuary, the powerful fortress called Acropolis, and two settlements, one to the south and one to the north of the fortress. The walls and living  quarters within the Acropolis were completely cut in the rocks of the peak. Especially big was the temple, carved in the eastern part of the village, which was later turned into a church with a big porch, signifying its importance. The palace is impressive; its ground floor has an area of almost 17000 square meters and 50 rooms, including an enormous thirty meter hall. The volume of stone, removed by the builders is comparable to the one, used in the building of some of the renowned Egyptian Pyramids. There are traces of a well-developed canaliza tion system, which removed the rain water from the city, built entirely  on the rocks. Perperikon is also famous for its gold mine, which is situated two kil ometers away, near the village of  Stremtsi. It is known as one of the biggest mines in the ancient world, with well-preserved shafts for ventilation and excavating stones, which were broken apart and panned off in the river Perperishka. There is a lot more to this historical phenomenon and the parallels between Perperikon and other famous locations like Machu Picch u are close to the mind, but the best way to experience the magic of this anci ent place is to visit it 

May-August 2009

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what to see Pamporovo Papmporovo is known as the “pearl” of Bulgarian winter  resorts. Actually Actuall y, you don’t need snow to enjoy this beau tiful place which makes a good destination for recreation and mountaineering in spring and summer as well. The climate is very mild an d the sun shines for more than 240 days of  the year. year. Drastic weath er changes are uncommon and rainy  storms are not expected to ruin your mountain trips. Winter  may be good for skiing, skiing, bu t it makes trekking trekking a dangerous activi ty for the unexperienced. unexperienced. In spring, when when the mel ting  snow reveals the hidden mountain paths, each of them leads you to a place to remember. Overlooking Pamporovo is Snezhanka peak, where in winter time all the runways start. It is one of Bulgaria’s one hundred “compulsory” tourist sites and the café on top of the TV tower offers a magnificent view. In clear weather one can see as far as the Aegean Sea. On the south side of the peak are the so

lived in this h ouse for some time. Today Today this beau tiful house hosts a special exposition dedicated to the Bulgarian bookpublishing. QOpen 09:30 - 12:30, 13:00-18:00. 13:00-18:00. Closed Sa t, Sun. Admisson: 2Lv, 2Lv, Lectur Le cture: e: 6Lv. 6Lv.

[8] The Museum of History Exposition “Bulgarian “Bulgarian Tsanko Lavrenov 1A, tel. 032 National Revival” D-3, ul. Tsanko 62 33 78/032 62 33 79, [email protected], www. historymuseumplovdiv.com. Located at the entrance of  the Old Town Town in the House Museum Dimitar Ge orgiadi (built  1846-1848), right righ t next to the Hissar Kapya Gate, you will find this house containing treasures from the Bulgarian National

Revival Period. It was once owned by the Plovdiv merchant  Dimitar Georgiadi. It was ordered as a dowr y present to his wife by her fath er, er, the eminen t fabrics trader Georgi Kendindenoglu. The building was erected for Georgiadi in 1846-48, by  the famous master Hadzhi Georgi of Constantinople, who built  many houses in the Old Town, Town, among them th e neighbouring  house of Koyumdzhioglu (today’s Ethnographic Museum). QOpen 09:30 - 12:30, 13:00-18:00, Sat 09:30 - 17:00. Closed Sun. Admission: 2Lv, lecture 6Lv.

[33] The Yellow School (Zhaltoto uchilishte) D-3, ul. Todor Samodumov 2. This school is small to modern standards, but back in 1868, it ha d huge historical importance. It was the first officially recognized Bulgarian middle school in Plovdiv. At that time all ethnic groups and even the French and Americans had schools in town, so it  was vital for Bulgarians to teach the young in the Bulgarian tradition. It is still yellow and has 2 floors, each with 5 big 

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

called Orpheus Rocks, steep stone walls, which crown th e huge cup-shaped valley of the town of Smolyan. To the north-east of Pamporovo lies the small village of Progled. Just above it is the Rozhen peak and the Obser vatory, vatory, which has the biggest reflexive telescope on the Balkans. Here and there in th e vicinity, the visitor bumps into monasteries monasteries and chapels, lit tle lakes and micro dams, scattered as gems on the green skirt of th e Rhodopes. For all the non-exploring  types, typ es, there are guided guided hiking hikin g and mountain bike tours. And  for the laziest tourists, there are plenty of spa procedures, restaurants, restaurants, horseback riding and loads of other entertainment, as Pamporovo is a pretty well developed resort, rich in hotels, bars and discos. Just have in mind that it is a winter sport destination and there is always a possibility, that some of them may not work in the summer.

classrooms. Nowadays it is a faculty of the Academy of  Dance and Music.

[10] Veren Veren Stambolyan Stambol yan House D-4, ul. Kiril Nektariev 15. This is an impressive two-storey revival house with a basement under th e ground floor. floor. It h as a beauti ful yard and porch and is symmetrically built. It was finished in the se cond half of the XI X century.

getting around Plovdiv is best experienced on foot. Most of the sightseei ng  is either i n the Old Town (forbidden for cars) or in the central square and the main pedestrian street.

Public Publ ic trans transpor port  t  Plovdiv’s network of buses and trolley buses is easy to use - though most visitors get around most sights by walking. Public transport starts running around 05:45 and closes down at 23:00. Tickets (bileti) can be purchased only from the ticket-collec ticket-c ollectors tors for 0.80Lv. 0.80Lv. A pass for one line, valid for a month, costs c osts 30 Lv. Lv. Public transport companies: Gradski transport Plovdiv ul. D.Stambolov 2, tel. 032 96 01 72, Avtotrans Cholakov Plovdiv bul. Iztoch en 48, tel. 032 62 62 72 41, Gratsia 0312 73 10, Meritrans Plovdiv ul. Balkan 20, tel. 032 26 29 97, Hebrus bus Plovdiv bul. Makedonia 1, tel. 032 63 36 00

Minibus There are not many minibuses in Plovdiv but they are of great  importance for the transport within the city. They are called Marshrutki (minibuses) for the reason of their resemblance of their smaller brothe rs the taxi’s that tour tour the city and pick  and drop passengers on request. The routes are usually from the outer quar ters to the centre. The charge is 0.80Lv. 0.80Lv. Line 1 - кв. “Хр.Смирненски’’ - ж.к. “Тракия’’ Kv. Kv. Hristo Smir nenski - Jk Triakia (Trakia neighbour hood Smirnenski neighbourhood). neighbourhood). Line 2 - кв. “Прослав” - ж.к. “Скобелева майка” Kv. Kv. Preslav - Jk Skobeleva maika (Preslav nei ghbourh ood Skobeleva maika neighbourhood). “4-ти километър’’ - ж.к. “Тракия” Line 3 - “4-ти Chetvarti kilometer - Jk Trakia (4th km - Trakia neighbourhood). Line 4 - Гара Филипово - ж.к. “Х ристо Ботев” Gara Fili povo - Jk Hristo Botev (Train (Train station Phi lipovo Hristo Botev neighbourhood). Line 5 - с. Труд - ж.к. “Тракия” Selo Trud - Jk Trakia (Village Trud - Trakia Trakia nei ghbourh ood). Line 6 - с. Войводиново - ж.к. “Христо Ботев” Selo Voyvodino - Jk Hristo Botev (Village Voyvodino - Hristo Botev neighbourhood). Line 8 - ж.к. “Ю.Гагарин” - Транспортна болница Jk Yuri Gagarin - Transportna Transportna Boln itsa (Yuri Gagarin neigh bourhood - Transport hospital). Line 10 - “4-ти километър” - кв. Коматево Chetvar ti kilometer - kv. Komatevo (4th (4th km - Komatevo neighbourhood). Line 16 - кв. “Прослав” - ж.к. “Тракия” Kv. Proslav - Jk Trakia (neighbourhood Proslav - Trakia neighbourhood). Line 19 - Гара Филипово - ж.к. “Тракия” Gara Fil ipovo - Jk Trakia Trakia (train stati on Filipovo - Trakia neighbourhood).

Trains Plovdiv’s Central Station (Tsentralana (Tsentralana gara) H-2, (informati on in Bulgarbul. Hristo Botev, tel. 032 63 27 20 (information ian only) English-language timetable information on www.bdz. ng. The station is just ten minutes’ walk south-west of the centre. It is well organized but mind tha t the platforms aren’t  numbered and the staff don’t speak much English. Recent  arrivals and departures are listed on computer screens at the station’s entrance and in the underpass leading to the plat forms.  forms. There is a lug gage office office (garderob), (garderob), just ou tside the station left of th e parcel post. It is open from 05:30 to 21:30 21:30 hours and th e fee is 2Lv 2Lv per item for 24 hours. Connec tions to Sofia, Burgas, Varna and Asenovgrad are frequent.

Domestic train schedule From Plovdiv Dep. Arr.

08:30 13:10 16 : 1 0 01:20 01:55 08:30 09:40 14:15 16 : 1 0 20:21` 02:52 06:58 13 :10 2 2 : 55 00:43 07:00 08:30 10:33 12:00 13:00 1 8 :1 0 20:21

12:27   18:00 20:52 06:02 07:04 17:16 19:00 21:48 02:07   05:41   14:05 12:50 19:18 05:25 08:00 12:58 15:55 16 : 23 1 8:1 5 20:13 00:12 02:13

To Plovdiv Destination Dep. Arr. BURGAS BURGAS BURGAS BURGAS BURGAS RUSE RUSE RUSE RUSE RUSE RUSE VARNA VARNA VARNA VARNA PLEVEN PLEVEN PLEVEN PLEVEN PLEVEN PLEVEN PLEVEN

06:55 10:40 15:40 22:15 22:30 06:00 08:02 11:15 15:20 21:55` 23 : 3 0 09:20 15:10 21:40 2 3 : 05 06:23 06:47 09:43 1 2: 2 7 12:59 18:56 22:32

1 1 :3 5 15:36 19:35 02:45 03:24 13:54 17:45 19:35 00:33 04:53 08:27   15:36 20:40 04:53 05:26 13:04 13:54 16:05 17:45 19:35 00:33 04:53

Bus schedule – Bus station Yug Burgas (4-5hr), 06:45, 07:30 Sofia (2hr), 06:00, 06:30, 07:30, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:00, 14:00. 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00 Slunchev Bryag (5-6hr), 06:45, 15:30 Stara Zagora (1-2hr), 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 09:00, 11:00, 12;00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00 Varna (6-7hr), 06:45, 15:30 Velingrad (1-2hr), 12:30, 13:40

For further information call tel. 032 626 937 

Buses Central Bus Station Stati on Yug H-2, bul. Hristo Botev 47, tel. 032 62 69 37, www.hebrosbus.com, www.avtogari.info. The Central Bus Station in Plovdiv is not particularly large. It stands at about 2 km from the town centre (15 minute walk) walk) and close to the train station. On the ground floor are the main passengers’ hall, ticket offices offices and luggage lo ckers ckers (1Lv (1Lv per 24 hours). A wide staircase l eads to the se cond floor flo or,, where a cafeteria-rest cafeteria-restaurant aurant is located. S everal everal companies offer tickets for destinations within Bulgaria and abroad. There are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants outside. Be careful not to enter the station wi th ice cream, pets or a lightened-cigarette these items are not appreciated inside. Open 05:30-21:00

Rodopi H-2, bul. Makedonia 1, tel. 032 65 78 28, ww w. hebrosbus.com, www.avtogari.info. Just south of the railway (next to Billa supermarket), through the underpass by the train station. Daily buses serve Haskovo Haskovo and Karlovo and hourly buses (bet ween 06:00 and 19:00) 19:00) go to Smolyan (2.5hrs), via Bachkovo (1hr), Chepelare and Pamporovo. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00.

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getting around Car rental Key di transkar E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 63, tel. 032 62 62 02/0899 931 290. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun. Rent a car J-7, ul. Ivan Andonov 24, tel. 032 68 93 76/0888 618 066, www.papurrent.hit.bg. Q Open 09:00 - 18:00. S & Z rent a car F-3, bul. Tsar Boris III Obedinitel 26, tel. 032 96 74 10/0898 443 390, fax 032 94 64 22, www.szgrup.com. clo se to Hotel TrimonTrimonTourist service - rent a car F-3, close tsium bul. Tsar Boris III Obedinitel, tel. 032 62 34 96, fax 032 63 34 99, www.tsrentacar.com.

Travel agencies Alma Tour D-1, ul. Hristo Danov 26, tel. 032 62 70 27/62 43 00, fax032 63 35 09, www.almatour.net. Ani E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 52, tel. 032 62 78 76/26 06 97, ww w.anh.gr. w.anh.gr. Daily buses to and from Athens. Offices in Plovdiv, Sofia, Stara Zagora and Varna. ArkanTours J-6, ul. Lerin 7 A, tel. 032 64 02 05/0886 908 912, [email protected], www.arkantours. com. Equestrian, adventure and cul tural tourism. tourism. Astral Holidays D-2, ul. Otets Paisiy 24, tel. 032 62 66 08, fax 032 62 66 09, www.astralholidays.bg. Odans Travel D-1, ul. Kiril i Metodii 5, tel. 032 62 91 59, fax 032 62 91 50, [email protected], [email protected], ww w. odans-travel.com. International bus, railway and airline tickets. Trips and Holidays. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat  10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. PA 

Sever I-7, ul. Dimitar Stambolov 2, tel. 95 30 11, www. hebrosbus.com. North Nort h of the Mari tsa River. River. Buses to Pleven, Ruse, Troyan Troyan and Koprivshtitsa. Koprivsh titsa. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00. Union-Ivkoni C-1, ul. Vesela 61, tel. 62 83 65. Train station underpass. Buses to international destinations including Paris, Rome, Vienna and Amsterdam. QOpen 08:00 - 18:00.

Airport  Plovdiv International Airport (Letishte Plovdiv) K-8, tel. 032 60 11 27, 032 63 30 81, [email protected], ww.plovdivairport.com. It is often referred to as Plovdiv Krumovo Airport and is located 12km sou theast of the city centre on the main highway Plovdiv-Asenovgrad. It has one terminal, only one café and Wi-Fi. There are no souvenirbuying facilities, so don’t rely on last minute shopping. To To get  to the airport from the city centre, a properly metered taxi shouldn’t cost more tha n about 20 -30Lv (€10-15) (€10-15)..

Taxis Plovdiv is best experienced on foot. Most of the sightseeing is eith er in the Ol d Town Town (forbidden for cars) or in the central square and the main pedestrian street. Plovdiv’s taxis are safe, clean and generally reliable. Of ficially th e charges range from 0.65Lv and 0.75Lv 0.75Lv per  kilometre. The startin g rate is 0.90Lv. 0.90Lv. All taxis are yellow coloured and have a sticker on the windscreen with the phone num ber, company name and rates in BGN. You You can catch the taxi in front of the big hotels in the cit y, the train station, bus stations, from the big intersection s. The betbetter way is to order it by phone.

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Taxi companies Elma Taxi , tel. 66 65. Evropa taxi , tel. 0800 16 661, 032 61 55/0889 556 155, 0878 666 155, 0898 826 155. Dial and close, they will phone you back or Skype them on “evropataxi”.

Inter Taxi , tel. 91 99. Mega Trans , tel. 66 62. Paldin Taxi , tel. 61 62/61 82. Taxi 1 , tel. 61 42.

Street smarts Street  Square Boulevard Highway  Bridge

Улица (ул.) Площад (пл.) Булевард (бул.) Магистрала Мост

Ulitsa (ul.) Ploshtad (pl.) Boulevard (bul.) Magistrala Most 

shoPPing Along Knyaz Aleksandar I Batenberg Pedestrian Street you will find all you might desire - from fashion clothes to jewellery and sports equipment. For them real tasty tomatoes you got excited excited about in the restaura nt find yourself an outdoor food market.

Antiques & Collectables Antique Shop Bari D-3, ul. Saborna 14, tel. 032 66 40 12/0887 373 682. Swords, clocks, silver vessels, figures, coins, medals, type writers and folklore folklore costumes. QOpen 09:30 - 18.30.

Antique Shop Daninis D-3, ul. Saborna 47, tel. 0885 342 921, [email protected]. Swords, rifles, uniforms, medals,  folklore costumes, copper vessels, souvenirs, etc. QOpen 09:30 - 20:00.

Antique Shop Saborna 51 A D-3, ul. Saborna 51 A, tel. 032 62 44 27/0887 647 212, etruscila@abv. bg. Coins, ornaments, clocks, books, medals (socialist and tsarist), weapons and accessories from the 18 and 19th c. and from the Russian-Turkish war, etc. QOpen 09:00 18:00. PA 

Books

bouquets, planting and arranging for the house and office, land shaft architecture, decorations, production, import and wholesale. Home deli very. very. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00. PA 

Gifts & Souvenirs Art Shop D-4, ul. MacGahan 2, tel. 0887415156. Souvenirs, paintings, paintings, icons, ic ons, ceramics, fretworks, art copies of archaeological archaeologi cal findings in Bulgaria. Bulgaria. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.

Helikon C-2, ul. Raicho Daskalov 13, tel. 032 62 32 63.

ET Lupov D-3, ul. Tsanko Lavrenov 8B, tel. 0888 637

Hermes J-6, ul. Danail Yurukov 2, tel. 032 64 31 23.

198. Souvenirs, icons, paintings, fretworks, genre tablecloths, ceramics, Bulgarian rose products, Rakia and rose liqueurs. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00. J

Nansi press D-2, ul. Sofroniy Vrachanski 4, tel. 0700 10099, [email protected].

Clothes & Accessories Trade centre “Maritsa”, peshehoden peshehod en most, Cacadu B-2, Trade tel. 0899 807 650, 650, [email protected], ww w.cacadubg.com. Affordable collection of female clothing. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00. P

Souvenir Shop D-3, ul. Knyaz Tseretelev 24, tel. 032 26 56 79. Ceramics, earthen pots, badges, medals, slippers, Bulgarian rose products - crèmes, honey, etc. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00.

Hypermarkets Metro Cash & Carry J-8, bul. Sankt Peterburg 135, tel. 032 60 51 09, www.metro.bg.

Indian shop F-1, ul. Gladston 44. Female clothes and accessories - imported from India.

QOpen

09:00 - 18:00.

Mr. Bricolage C-2, bul. 6th Septemper 223A, tel. 032 60 52 60, fax 032 60 52 50, www.mr-bricolage.bg.

Invert F-2, ul. Gladston 20, tel. 0885 108 673. Teen an d youth fashion - jeans, jackets, t-shirts, t-shirts, hats, bel ts, sunglasses and ski glasses. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00.

Technomarket Evropa A-3, bul. Bulgaria, 4 km, tel.

Kamato - Design Studio F-1, ul. Dragan Tsankov 36,

Technopolis J-8, bul. Sankt Peterburg 133, tel. 032 68

tel. 0898 747 905, [email protected]. Design, laser decoding, production and sales of leather  shoes, clothes, bags and other leather goods. Custom tailored production.

33 12, www.techonopolis.bg.

Lafer F-2, ul. Gladston 18, tel. 0889 808 280. Bulgarian,

Aneli Gold E-3, ul. Otets Paysiy 24, tel. 032 62 85 10,

Turkish and I talian female clothing. Leath er jackets - male and  female. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. PJ

[email protected] [email protected],, ww w.aneligold.com. w.aneligold.com. Jewellery  made of gold, silver, platinum and white gold, with precious and semi-precious stones and custom designed jewellery. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. A 

Flowers Arexim C-2, bul. 6th September 190, tel. 032 95 91 34. QOpen

9:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.

032 90 50 60/0700 10 800, www.technomarket.bg.

Jewellery 

Fortuna D-2, ul. Alexander Batenberg 42, tel. 032 62 31 65/0889 006 067. High qualit y gold, silver and platinum  jewelry. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon.

Marieta E-4, bul. Knyaginya Maria Luiza 69 B, tel. 0897 919 907, [email protected]. Arranging and delivery of 

May-August 2009

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shoPPing Jewellery House “SK-Gold” E-3, ul. Patriarh Evtimiy 12, tel./fax 032 62 60 10, tel. 0899 900 335. High qualit quality  y  golden jewelry. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun.

inyourpocket.com

Roje Watches and Jewellery E-3, ul. Alexander I Batenberg 14, tel. 032 62 42 77, roje_07@abv. bg, w ww.brosway.com. ww.brosway.com. Brosway Brosway watches an d jewller y. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 19:00. A  Silverete F-2, ul. Gladston 5. Silver jewelry. Silver Magic D-2, ul. Alexander Batenberg 2, tel. 0887 51 94 79. Jewellery, icons, sou venirs. venirs. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 11:00 - 18:00.

Lingerie Deppo D-4, ul. Metropolit Panaret 10, tel. 032 62 51 46/0894 624 262, [email protected], www. deppoltd.com. Lingerie, stockings, stockings, night gowns, twin sets. Also wholesale. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun.

Music Elektrica shop D-3, Zhk. Kapana, ul. Abadzhiiska 11, tel. 032 62 33 63. Specialized in electronic music. Also offer Dance, Pop, Hard Rock, Metal, Reggae, Rap, Soul, Funk, R&B on CD and Audio. QOpen 9:30 - 19:00, Sat  10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun.

Music shop C-4, ul. P. R. Slaveykov 3, tel. 0888 639 121. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.

Music shop Yamaha A-2, ul. Karlovska 34, tel. 032 96 27 58. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

Parr fumery & Cosmetics Pa Ivis C-2, ul. Raiko Daskalov 50, tel. 0882 337 737/0887 591 225, www.ivis-bg.com. Mass and selection cosmetics. Turbo Turbo solar s olar studio. QOpen 09:30 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 19:00. P

Photography  Kodak Expres Photo Svyat D-2, ul. Aleksandar Batenberg Batenberg 39, w ww.fotosviat.bg. ww.fotosviat.bg.

Shopping centres Hot Spot E-3, ul. Patriarh Evtimiy 12, tel. 0889 900 879/032 62 53 40, [email protected], www. hotspot-bg.com. A two storey shopping centre for modern garments, high quality quality shoes and jewelry. They have their  own city you th oriented brand - БRIGADA. БRIGADA. The company is exclusive distributor for Fornarina, GAS, Crocs, El Naturalista, Cushe, Ben Sherman, Gola, KOOKAI, Von Dutch, Clarks, The Ar t Company and Havaianas. Q P Tehnostil (Techno style) E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 64, tel. 65 05 56. Two storey shop for kitchen and household appliances, appliances, kitchen and house furnishings. furnishings. Every Every thing you might n eed to furnish your apartment, h ouse or office. office. QOpen 09:00 - 19:30, Sat 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun.

PAL

Sports equi e quipment  pment  Skate shop D-2, ul. Alexander Batenberg 26. Skate boards, snow boards, rollerblades and e quipment. More than 100 models of spor t shoes and sneakers. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00.

Sport Depot J-8, bul. Sankt Peterburg 48, tel. 68 36 70, [email protected], www.sportdepot. bg. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

In Your Pocket is more than a print city guide.

Besides our wide range of locally produced and indispensable booklets, we also publish guides to more than 50 cities in online format at our awardwinning website, inyourpocket.com. Here you will find a huge batch of web exclusive content, from features on obscure Romanians to how the residents of St. Petersburg propose marriage to each other. You will also find all the content from our city guides, and more besides: there are hundreds of hotel and restaurant reviews online we simply don’t have space for in print. What’s more, when our eager team of writers and researchers updates any in formation you will will  find out about it first firs t online: no waiting for the next  print guide to come out, just visit  inyourpocket. com . You will also find our entire range of city  guides available to download, for free, in PDF   format. In Your Pocket is the only travel publisher  in the world offering its entire content in this easy  to access way. Get involved If you’ve seen a review in any of our guides that  you think is wildly wide of the mark (or indeed spot on) then tell the world: all venues on our  website now have a comments module allowing  you to share your opinions not just with our writers but with hundreds of thousands of website users ( inyourpocket.com inyourpocket.com receives more than 200,000 unique visitors every month , who view more than one million pages). There is also our lively, if off-beat, blog, where you can share the editorial team’s thoughts on politics, Bulgarian talent shows and global warming, as well as find bags of in formation on how an In Your Pocket guide is put together. Moscow: First at inyourpocket.com The full content of  Moscow In Your Pocket - which will appear in print very soon - is now available online, at  inyourpocket.com. Plus, by  the time you open up the next issue of  In Your  Pocket, we will have launched our new-look website: packed with added features and easier than ever to use. Make sure you check  inyourpocket. com regulalrly.

heaLth & LiFestyLe 24hr pharmacies Centralpharm A-1, bul. Bulgaria 130, tel. 032 95 33 73, [email protected].

Den i Nosht (Day and Night) H-3, bul. Hristo Botev 150, tel. 032 63 09 83.

Millenium Plus K-9, JK Trakia, bl. 97, next to Trade Centre Evropa, tel. 032 99 33 33, fax 032 99 43 33.

Trimontium C-2, ul. Dimitar Tsonev 1, tel. 032 62 85 68.

Beauty salons A & D D-1, ul. Sv. sv. Kiril i Metodii 15, tel. 032 63 49 62. In this modern studio you can enjoy the professional products of L’Oreal L’Oreal and Kerastase. The ser vices which you can use are manicure, pedicure, cosmetics, massage, haircu t  and Su-Du - tropical complexion, complexion, note that th e cosmetic and massage procedures are to be booked in advance. The staff are young and polite. QOpen 09::00 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 19:00. PA  Be Beauty E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 52, tel. 0878 505 692, [email protected]. Photoepilation for unwanted hair growth and PhotoRejuvenation treatments. Solarium. QOpen , Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 09:00 - 21:00, Sat 10:00 - 19:00, Sun 12:00 - 19:00. Bella & Beatris F-2, ul. Gladston 90, tel. 0896 682 259. Slimming procedure. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00.

Karizma E-4, ul. Mitropolit Panaret 10, fl.2, tel. 0893

Thorax Clinics C-2, ul. D. Tsonchev 5, tel. 032 62 16 20, fax 032 62 51 25, [email protected], www.thorax.bg. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00.

United Medical G-2, ul. Veliko Tarnovo 21, tel. 032 63 44 63.

Dentists Dr. Goranovi H-3, bul. Hristo Botev 99, tel. 032 62 17 35.

Dr. Krasimira Musurlieva C-4, ul. Petko R. Slaveikov 12, tel. 032 65 20 33. QOpen . Closed Fri, Sat, Sun.

Dr. Petrova A-2, ul. Pobeda 49, tel. 032 94 28 21. SMTL Kadent ul. Asen Zlatarov 34, tel. 032 63 89 64.

Dietary & Diabetics shops sh ops Dia Healthy Foods - dietary and diabetics F-2, ul. Tue, Wed, Gladston 3, tel. 0878 667 462. QOpen , Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10:00 - 19:30, Sat 10:30 - 16:30. Closed Sun.

Hospitals MBAL Plovdiv A-2, bul. Bulgaria 234, tel. 032 95 92 21.

Sv. Pantaleimon K-6, bul. Nikola Vapzarov 9, tel. 032 60 39 14.

258 670/0898 448 612, http://karizma13.hit.bg/. Hairstyling, manicure, beautician services, massages and therapies. QOpen , M on, Tue, Tue, Wed, Th u, Fri 10:00 - 19:30, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. P

tel. 032 60 21.

Palm Beach (solarium) E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 20, tel.

Libraries

0886 229 969.

Queen C-2, ul. Petko Karavelov 24, tel. 032 63 34 34/0897 313 212. Various cosmetic services wi th quality  products. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. PJ

Skerzzo Spa & Cosmetics ul. Tsar Asen 8, tel. 032 62 60 74/0886 112 317, [email protected], www. skerzzo.com. Facials, body proce dures, spa therapies, manicure, pedicure, depilation, solarium and other procedures. QOpen 08:30 - 20:00.

UMBAL Sv. Georgi J-1, bul. Peshtersko shose 66,

Alliances françaises (French Cultural Institute) G-1, ul. Dragan Tsankov 34, tel. 032 63 13 42, www. institutfrance.bg.

German Reading-room (Goethe Institut) G-2, ul. Avksentiy Veleshki 17, tel. 032 62 72 38, dls@libplovdiv. dls@libplovdi v. com, www.libplovdiv.com.

Opticians Art Optic A-2, ul. Polk.Bonev 5, tel. 032 94 02 94.

Catering 

QOpen

Vanyaa Stil Kocho Chestimenski 2A, tel. 032 26 93

Eurooptic F-4, ul. Kapitan Raicho 56, tel. 032 62

71/0888 994 931, [email protected], [email protected], www.vanyaw ww.vanyags. style.com. Catering, shows, cocktails, weddin gs.

04 64/0884 986 648, Е[email protected].

Clinics

08:00 - 18:00.

bg, www.eurooptik.com. 11:00 - 18:00.

QOpen

10:00 - 20:00, Sun

Interoptics G-2, ul. Hristo G. Danov 28, tel. 032 62 34 03.

Medline Clinic F-2, ul. Philip Makedonski 37, tel. 032 65 56 00.

Opticlasa E-3, ul. Patriarh Evtimiy 13, [email protected], www.opticlasa.com.

May-August 2009

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heaLth & LiFestyLe

52

Banya Starinna & Hisarya The Ancient Bath The ancient Roman Bath was quite a spacious place, estimated to take nearly 2,5 thousand square meters. meters. Some of i ts lower quarters reached down to 8 meters underground. It was built according to all the requirements of the Roman building building tradition. As a rela xing  space for roman nobles, it was a two storey building, but  architectural fragments reveal that it was rebuilt and burned down numerous times. In the sixteenth century, Ottoman Turks used the foundations to build the contemporary  building, which now serves as an Arts Cen tre Hisarya Pindar, a Greek lyric poet (518 – 438 B C), wrote: “Water “Water is th e noblest element.” Perrier was the first off the mark, and started to promote mineral water in restaurants and hotels, soon followed by many others who discovered that water, like oil, can be easily turned into big business. Globalisation has hit the water industry with players like Pepsi and Coca-Cola holding the main grip on the market. No globalisation yet in this respect in the small city named Hisarya located loca ted about abou t 40 kilometres to the nor th of Plovdiv. Plovdiv. Where Hisarya may seem small in size, its history goes beyond those of the Coke and Pepsi’s. Emperors like Septimius Severus are known to have drunk from its sources. Yes, it is the mineral water that this town is famous for. Archaeological Archaeologi cal research shows shows that a town existed near the Hissar mineral springs already 5000 years BC. In 1976 the archaeological archaeolo gical importance importanc e of Hissarya was recognized and an area of 300 decars was granted the statu s of a national archaeological reserve. With its continen tal climate climate bringing  mild winters, early springs, moderately hot summers and moderately warm long autumns, Hisarya is for sure sure a place to repose. The Communist Communis t leaders were aware of the pureness of Hisarya and left th eir landmarks landmarks mainly in the form of luxury resor ts. The annual average average air humidity is around 70%. The sunny days count up to not less than 280 per 

Reflekt H-3, ul. Kukush 4, tel. 64 27 76. QOpen

annum. With 22 mineral springs with water between 37 and 52 degrees Celsius another reason for early settlements becomes quite clear, warm water. Whether people in the old days knew the distinction b etween regular and mineral mineral water is not known. In Your Pocket has no delusions of  being a scientific magazine, therefore we’ll save you the chemical composition of the Hisaryan mineral waters. waters. The living proof of its purifying and healing capabilities should lie with th e Hisaryans themselves, who have been drinking  the water since their bir th. Connoisseurs say the taste of  the water to be exceptionally mild and pleasant and free of any smell. Now in modern times, business has grown beyond just water. There are refreshments made on the basis of Hisarya mineral water like ice tea in various flavours, many tastes of lemonades like lemon, green apple and strawb erry. Emperors Emperors drank water from Hisarya once. Today this li fe source is available to all of us. Passing by the ancient ruins of the n orth fortress wall you will find yourself  yourself  in Momina salza (Maid tear) Park. Park. It is th e centre of Hissarya and it is the oldest park in the town. At the end of a wide straight alley, you can see the white pavilion of Momina salza mineral sprin g. Its water is very favourable to gastri gastriccintestinal diseases. The legend about this spring tells that  a beauti ful Bulgarian Bulgarian maid refused to be a concubine of a Turkish bey. He punished her as he forced her to serve his guests naked. naked. The girl did it bu t when she reached the b ey  she dropped the heav y charger over over his head and killed him. The maid perished on the stake for what she had done. When th e flames grabbed her b ody t wo warm tears tears broke off off her eyes an d the spring sprin g named Momina M omina salsa (Maid tear)  flushed from them. The legend is depicted in the statue of  the naked girl in the centre of the town. The ruins of the biggest roman bath are situated around the spring. The bath dates back from the 4th centur y.

10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

QOpen , Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 08:00 - 20:00, Sun 09:00 - 14:00.

Religious Re ligious service ser vice

Billiard Billi ard and Bowlling  Bo wlling 

Dzumaya Mosque D-2, in the city centre pl. Dzhu-

9 Ball Club D-2, Kapana ul. At. Samokovetsa 9, tel. 032 62 04 83. QOpen 10:00 - 03:00. P

maya.

Katolicheska curkva ot iztochen iz tochen obriad „Vuznesenie Gospodne“ ul. Krastyu Pastuhov 22, tel. 032 62 10 32/032 65 13 33, [email protected]. Daily  liturgy at 18:00, Sun 10:30 in Bulgarian. QOpen 08:00 12:00, 14:00-18:30.

Carting  Karting Track Lauta bul. Sankt Peterburg, tel./fax 032 63 18 52, tel. 0899 90 79 81, deltakart@gmail. com, ww w.kartinglauta. w.kartinglauta.com. com.

St. Ludwig`s Catolic Cathedral E-4, bul. Knyaginya Maria Luisa 3, tel. 032 62 84 30.

The St. Marina`s Methropolitan Temple E-3, ul. Dr. Georgi Valkovich, tel. 032 62 32 76.

Dance clubs Salsa de Cuba B-1, ul. Vasil Sokolov 2 fl.1, tel. 0896 868 075/0897 33 03 03. QOpen 18:00 - 21:30.

Vets Veterinary clinic Novet Kamenitsa J-8, ul. Architect Kamen Petkov 58, tel. 032 62 22 96/0888 838 342. QOpen , M on, Tue, Tue, Wed, Th u, Fri 08:00 - 18.30, Sat  09:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.

Veterinary clinic Novet Karshiyaka A-2, ul. Karlovska 34 A, tel. 032 96 31 29/0889 682 830.

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Fitness & Spa Kea Sport A-2, ul. Ivan Rilski 16, tel. 032 55 00 43. QOpen

07:30 - 21:00, Sat, Sun 9:30 - 19:00.

Monic Spa Club D-3, ul. Altseko 16, tel. 0888 617 475/032 62 59 13. Swimming pool, steam bath, massage,

sPorts spa therapies, depilation, face massage and spa therapies. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00. DC

Olimpiya K-9, Aqualand guarter Trakia bl. 36, tel. 032 99 42 43. QOpen 07:00 - 22:00. Perla G-2, ul. Ivan Vazov 94, tel. 032 64 24 48. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00 - 20:00, Sun 09:00 - 18:00.

Studio M C-4, behind the Flamingo cinema, tel. 0888 575 758. Q Open 08:00 - 20:30, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.

niada (Balkan’s competition) and world championships. The stables can host up to 120 horses. There are 57 horses currently residing in th e base. Th ey offer offer boarding house for  horses, horse riding, h orse riding classes for amateurs as well as steeplechase, jumping and dressage classes, kinesiotherapy and horse training. If you are an amateur, make an appointment and wear comfortable clothes for your your first  ride. QOpen 08:00 - 12:00, 16:00-20:00. Closed Mon. From October till April they work from 10:00-12:00, 14:0018:00 Horse riding lessons: 20 min - 10 Lv, 12 tickets - 80 Lv. Full board: b oard: 350 Lv per m onth.

Yosif  Total Spor t Fitness & Squash G-1, ul. Ek zarh Yosif  13, tel. 032 62 51 51. QOpen 06:30 - 22:00, Sat  08:00 - 20:00, Sun 09:00 - 20:00. PW

Horse-riding  ArkanTours J-6, ul. Lerin 7 A, tel. 032 64 02 05/0898 302 120, [email protected], www.arkantours.com. Equestrian Tourism, hourly rides (45 min), training. Every Every si xth ride i s free.

Golf 

Pirin Golf & Country Club, ul. Gotse Delchev 24 A, Razlog, tel. 0747 80 688, 0885 921 403, r egistration@ piringolf.bg, www.piringolf.bg

Equestrian - sport base Han Krum Voyvodino village, tel. 031 01 22 78/0888 991 629, 0888 949

Rowing Canal The rowing canal, mostly known by th e Plovdivians as “The Rowing base”, is one of the big gest sports centre in Bulgaria. Bulgaria. There is a stadium for 55 000 visitors, the biggest rowing  base on the Balkans, an indoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts and a field and track. It is situated in

717. This is one of the big gest equestrian bases on the Balkans. It is found 15 min away from Plovdiv by car and 30 min by bus No 15. They have hippodrome, steeplechase and jumping field, stadium on 3 floors with 5000 seats,  judges’ tower tower and a VIP l ounge for about 100 people. The base hosts different events - national competitions, Balka-

the north-west part of the city, not too far from the centre. The place is a favourite favourite for most of Plovdiv’s citizens with i ts great numbers of cafes and restaurants, restaurants, situated un der the shades of the green trees an d wide alleys for biking, biking, per fect   for a walk, rest and for sports. It is a little escape from the hot days in the city.

Free downloads, videos, comments and exclusive features: all online at

inyourpocket.com Europe’s online city guide May-August 2009

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Business direCtor direCtory y Bulgarian National Bank D-2, ul. Raiko Daskalov 51, tel. 032 90 51 00, www.bnb.bg.

Emporiki Bulgaria Plc D-3, ul. 6-th Septemvri 150, tel. 032 27 96 00, fax 032 27 96 08, www.emporiki.bg.

EuroBank EFG Bulgaria Plc D-1, ul. Antim I 2B, tel. 032 65 59 00, fax 032 62 34 98, www.postbank.bg.

First Investment Bank B-2, bul. Maritsa 95, tel. 032 65 25 10, fax 032 65 25 11, www.fibank.bg.

MKB Union Bank C-2, ul. Hristo Danov 24, tel. 032 62 30 75, www.unionbank.bg.

Piraeus Bank Plc C-3, ul. Betoven 9, tel. 032 62 78 41, www.piraeusbank.bg.

ProCredit Bank Plc D-2, ul. Brezovska 34, tel. 032 90 40 90, fax 032 90 40 96, [email protected], www.procreditbank.bg. Veleshki 5, tel. te l. 032 60 Raiffeisenbank F-1, ul. Avxentiy Veleshki

Accountants Accounta nts & Consultants

12 70, fax 032 62 99 66, www.raiffeisen.bg.

Elan Consult F-3, ul. Leonardo Da Vinchi 30, tel. 032 65 53 80. Accounting Services.

Bulgarian official officials s

Insurance & Reinsurance Company Lev Ins A-3,

Plovdiv Municipality E-3, pl. Stefan Stambolov 1,

bul. Bulgaria 63, tel. 032 95 92 95.

tel. 032 65 64 00, [email protected], www. plovdiv.bg.

Interface A-1, pl. A.P.Chehov 1, tel. 032 96 10 12. Translation, Legalization and Typing Services

Regional Administration Plovdiv D-1, pl. Nikola

SD Cargo Ltd bul. Vasil Aprilov 121, tel. 032 94 64

Mushanov 1, tel. 032 60 55 12, [email protected]. bg, www.pd.e-gov.bg.

26/0878 743 942, [email protected]. Spedition and International Transport 

Spediko Trans Entarprys H-5, ul. D.I.Mendeleev 2А, tel. 032 62 56 58. Spedition and In ternational Transport. Transport.

Vavilon - EM D-2, ul. Knyaz Aleksandar I 39, tel. 032 62 56 86. Translation, Legalization and Typing Services.

Business facilities House of Science and Technology (RSTU&HST) F-2, ul. Gladston 1, tel. 032 62 25 60/032 62 30 73, fax 62 25 61, [email protected], [email protected], ww w.hst.bg. With the Association “Regional Unions of Science and Technolog Technolog y” are organized various congresses, conferences, symposiums, seminars, workshops, workshops, in ternational exhibitions an d fairs.

Adverr tising age Adve a gencies ncies Goran Pik F-1, ul. Avksentiy Veleshki 47, tel. 032 63 17 88.

Graflin A-2, ul. Oborishte 37, tel. 032 96 24 14. Photonics Ltd. J-7, ul. Volga 62, tel. 0899 941

Foreign Fo reign representations representation s General Consulate of Greece E-1, ul. Preslav 10, tel. 032 63 20 03, fax 032 26 88 18, grconsfil@evrocom. net.

General Consulate of Turkey F-2, ul. Philip Make-

777/0899 941 788, [email protected], www. photonics-bg.com. Design, production, montage and maintenance of Neon light advertising. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

donski 10, tel. 032 63 23 09, fax 032 62 48 39, filibe. [email protected].

Tobear Ltd I-7, ul. Sredets 79, tel. 0894 627 206.

Lawyers

Banks

032 62 60 78.

Alpha Bank E-1, ul. Victor Yugo 27, tel. 032 65 57 42,

C-2, pl. Saedi Saedinen nenie ie № 3, Et. Et. 3, Lawyer Plamen Bonev C-2,

fax 032 65 57 44, www.alphabank.bg.

Ofis 309, tel. 0888 653 167.

Bulgarian - American Credit Bank A-2, ul. Oborishte

Layers Society Haralampiev C-4, ul. Detelin Voivoda

22, tel. 032 90 17 40, fax 032 65 22 20, www.bacb. bg.

3, fl. 1, tel. 032 62 33 35.

Lawyer Georgi Bozhkov D-2, ul. P.Karavelov 28, tel.

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Business direCtory Office supplies Knizharnitsa (stationer’s shop) E-4, bul. Maria Luiza 63, tel. 032 63 15 05. Xerox, Xerox, printing, lamination, station ery, school appliances, appliances, dri ver’s tests. tests. QOpen , Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 09:00 - 20:00, Sat 09:00 - 14:00.

Real Estate Alfakom Ltd. G-1, bul. Vasil Aprilov 4, tel./fax 032 64 11 30, [email protected], www.alfakom.dir.bg.

Andi Group Ltd. H-3, bul. Hristo Botev 82 fl.3, tel. 032 63 06 02/0899 919 319, fax 032 63 51 16, andigroup@ abv.bg, www.andigroupbg.com.

Garanti Ltd (Podem Ltd) A-2, c-s Podem bul. Dunav 51, tel. 032 94 66 88, fax 032 94 66 90, office@podem-bg. com, www.podem-bg.com.

Gidas Ltd G-2, ul. Ivan Vazov 49A, tel. 032 62 53 30/0888 218 109, [email protected].

Lango Ltd D-3, bul. Tsar Boris III 22, tel./fax 032 95 64 69, tel. 0888 263 761, [email protected], www. langobg.com.

Omega-A Ltd F-2, ul. Avksentii Veleshki 30, tel. 032 62 12 57/0888 590 997, fax 032 63 13 45, omega_a@ abv.bg.

Scorpio M Ltd C-3, bul. Tsar Boris III Obedinitel 134 fl.2, tel. 032 62 01 01/0888 766 436, fax 032 62 01 00, [email protected].

Trakia Agency E-3, ul. Patriarh Evtimii 3, tel. 032 26 25 55/0889 650 711, [email protected], www.1001line.com. f l.2, tel. 032 26 91 60/0888 525 Viel D-1, ul. Preslav 15 fl.2, 190, fax 032 65 28 64, [email protected].

May-August 2009

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Business direCtory International Plovdiv Fair

International Plovdiv Fair A-3, bul. Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Obe dinitel 37, tel. 032 90 36 00, [email protected], Plovdiv suddenl y  www.fair.bg. During autumn and spring Plovdiv gets flooded with people from all over the world. All the hotels and restaurants are full of people. Why this great  interest? The answer lies in Plovdiv being the traditional host for the In ternational Spring Spring consumer goods Fair Fair and the International Autumn Technical Fair. The beginning of the exhibition industry in the modern Bulgarian Bulgarian history was laid in 1892 when Plovdiv h osted the First Bulgarian Bulgarian Agricul tural and Industrial Exposition. The mission statement of the fair is - To contribute to the prosperity of the Bulgarian people by encouraging  the development of the national industry. The exhibition calendar of International Plovdiv Fair  comprises multi-branch fairs and trade exhibitions covering key sectors of the Bulgarian economy. International Plovdiv Fair organizes the most important trade forums countrywide, opening up prospects for the Bulgarian producers to appear on the international market. The trade fair and exhibiti exhibiti on events events outline th e performance of the Bulgarian econ omy, omy, as well as the in terest of the international international business in the country and region. The Fair ground is one of the largest exhibition venues in the Balkan region. It is situated on an area of 352 000 sq. m. The exhibition complex consists of 16 multifunctional pavilions equipped for the arrangement and display of  all kinds of exhibits. The exhibition area amounts to 153 700 sq. m., the indoor area is 63 800 sq. m. The modern

Plovdiv In Your Pocket 

Congress Centre Cen tre of the Interna tional Plovdiv Fair Fair comprises eight multifunctional halls with 20 to 550 seats. Another  12 halls in various pavilions are also available. The Interna tional Plovdiv Fair provides its customers with appropriate conditions for business activities, identical to those offered offered by th e most renown ed European fairs. International Plovdiv Fair is the only fair organizing  company in Bulgaria and is a memb er of UFI - the Global Association of the E xhibition Industry. Seven of its events have fulfilled the high criteria and have been approved by UFI. These are the International Technical Fair, the International Consumer Goods and Technologies Fair, the specialized exhibitions AGRA; VINARIA; MEDICUS, DENTO, GALENIA, PrintCom and Foodtech. The First fair was held in 1882 with the official opening  by knyiaz Ferdinand on August 15. The initiative was of Grigor Nachovich. The royal gardner Lucien Shevals built a beau tiful European style park on 90 000 sq. m. in which 36 exhibition pavilions were located. Around 2500 soldiers took part in the opening parade. 24 countries  from Europe, Europe, America and Asia took part in i t. There were 167 000 visitors. Unfortunately the Fair didn’t become traditional until 1933 when an industrial exhibition with 424 participan ts was organized. In 1934 the participan ts grew to 880 and in 1936 the forum became a full member  of UFI. In 1947 the first permanent Fair pavilions were built on the north bank of the river Maritsa. During the 50-ies th e fairs were held every t wo years and from 1966 they b ecame annual.

index Street Index

6-Ti Septemvri C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, D1  Aleksandar Ekzarh D1, E1  Aleksandar Malinov D4 Angel KanchEv C1  Antim I D1, D2 Apteka Maritsa C2 Arh. Hristo Peev D4 Arhimandrit Damaskin E3 Artin Gidikov C3, D3 Asen Zlatarov B3, B4 Avksenti y Veleshki Veleshki F1, F2, G2, H2, H3 Bacho Kiro H2, H3 Balchik F1  Balkan C4, C5 Belasitsa G5, H5 Belgrad A2, B2 Bethoven C2, D2 Bogomil F5, G4, G5, H3, H4 Borislav Borisl av F4, G4, H4 Bratya Miladinovi C1  Bratya Pulevi C2, D2 Bulair G3, H2, H3 Bulgaria A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 Bunar Hisar D5 Burgas D4, D5 Detelin Voyvoda C4 Dobri Chintulov G4 Dobri Voynikov G5, H5 Dondukov E2 Dospat G3, G4 Dostoevski A4 D-R Georgi Geor gi Valkovich E3, E4 D-R Petar Beron C1  D-R Seliminski C5, D5 D-R Stoyan Chomakov C3 , D3 Dragan Tsankov F1, F2, G1  Dragota A1  Dragoya Bozhilov C4 Drava B2, B3 Dusho Hadzhidekov D4 Dzhumaya D2 Ekzarh Ekzar h Yosif G1, G2, H2 Emile De Laveleye E3, F2, F3 Emile Zola C5 Enyu Markov E5, F5 Filip Makedon ski F2, G1, G2 Frederic Joliot-Curie C2, C3, D2, D3 Garata H1 

Gen. Gurko E3 Gen. Skobel ev D4, D5, E4, E5 Geo Milev E4, E5 Georgi Benkovski D2, D3 Gladsto ne F1, F2, F3 Graf Ignatiev F5, G3, G4 Graf Ignatiev G3 Grozdov Pazar E2 Han Asparuh E4, F4, F5, G5, H4, H5 Han Kubrat C2, C3 Han Tervel E5 Hashovska B4, C4 Hebros B3, C3 Hebros C3 Hemus D3, E3 Hisar Kapia D3 Hristo Botev H1, H2, H3, H4, H5 Hristo Dyukme dzhiev D3 Hristo G. Danov D1, D2 Chavdar Voyvoda A1  Ilarion Makariopolski E5, F5, G5, H5 Ilyo Voyvoda A1, B1  Ivan Andonov And onov F1  Ivan Karadzhov D4 Ivan Vazov F3, G1, G1, G2, G3, H1  Ivats C5 Kalofer B3, C3 Kamenitsa E5 Kamchia C4 Kap. Andreev G2 Kap. Burago D1  Kap. Georgi Geor gi Tsanev D1  Kap. Raycho F3, F4, F5 Kapana D2, D3 Karlovska A1, B1  Kavala H1  Kiril Hristov G2, H2 Kiril I Metodiy D1, D2, E1  Kiril Nektariev D4 Kiril Popov D3 Knyagi nya Maria Luiza E3, E4, E5, F3 Knyaz Aleksandar I Batenberg  D2, E2, E3, F3 Knyaz Bogoridi C2, C3 Knyaz Tseretel ev D3, E3 Kolezha G3 Kolyu Ficheto A3 Konstantin Fotinov D1, D2, D2, E2 Konstantin Irechek D2, D3 Konstantin Stoilov C3, D3

Index Afreddo creamery 29 Alafrangite 22 Alliance Hotel 16 Aladdin 25 Art Hotel Boris Palace 16 Art Hotel Dali 19 Artnews Art news Cafe 29 Apart Tourist Company 21  Balaban Café 29 Bar Iguana 31  Bar & Grill Fresh 25 BBQ & Bar Hemingway 28 Bed & Breakfast 19 Best Western Hotel Bulgaria 17  Bezistena 31  Birena Gradina Voivodi te 25 Bright House 21  Bulgarska kushta 22 Café-aperitif Café-aperitif Dolly 29 Café Aperitif Aperi tif Nika 29 Café Arena 29 Café Lia 29 Café Scarface 29 Café Taksim 29 Casa de Cuba 31  Casino Budha 34 Casino Eldorad o 34 Casino Life 34 Casino Magic City 34 Casino Sesame 34 Casino Club Las Vegas Vegas 34 Chef`s Restaurant Elea 25

Kosmos Kosmo s F1, F2 Kossuth Lajos B1  Kostaki Peev G3, H3 Kozhuharska D3 Kozloduy E4 Krakra G2, G3 Krali Marko F3, G3, G4 Krichim E4, F4 Krivolak D3 Krumovo D5, E5 Kutlovitsa A2, B2 Lady Strangford D2 Lamartine B4, C4 Leonard o Da Vinci F3, F4, G3, G4 Lozengra d G4, G5 Macgahan D4 Madara D5, E5 Magura D2 Makedonia H2 Mara Gidik C5, D4, D5 Marie Curie A2, B2, B3 Marin Drinov E5, F4, F5 Maritsa A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, C1, C2 Markvichka D4 May E2, F2 Mesta E4 Mitropolit Paisiy D3 Mitropolit Panaret D4, E4 Momchi l Voyvoda A1, B1  Mortagon C5 Mozart G1  Nayden Gerov E2, E3, F2 Naycho TsanOv H3, H4 Neofit Bozveli C4, D4, D5 Neofit Rilski B1, B2 Nikola Kozlev E1, F1, F2 Nikola Palauzov C2, D2 Nikola Petkov F1  Nikola Voyvodov B4, C4 Nikolitsa Voyvoda C4 Oborishte A1, A2, B1  Odrin G1, H1, H2 Omurtag D3 Opalchenska C1, C2 Osam E5 Otets Paisiy D2, D3, E3 Paldin D3, D4 Panayot Volov D4 Patriarh Evtimi y E3, E4 Pavel Kurtevi ch D3 Pavlikenska F3, F4, G3

Classic 27  Club Phobia 32 Club Marmalad 32 Complex Aqualand 17  Complex Podem 21  Dayana I, II 22 De Niro 26 Dedeman Trimontium Princess Plovdiv 16 Diamant 25 Dreams 29 Enoteque Kopcheto 25 Erevan 22 Euro Hotel 17  Famous House Restaurant 21  Fontana 25 Godzila 27  Grazhdanski Klub 22 Guest House Elena 20 Guest House Romantika 17  Gusto pizza & restaurant 27  Happy Bar and Grill 25 Hebros Hotel 16 Hikers Hostel Plovdiv 20 Hostel Centre 20 Hostel Raisky Kat 19 Hotel Alafrangite 17  Hotel Bar Central 19 Hotel Belle Ville 18 Hotel Dafi 18 Hotel Elite 18 Hotel Fenix 20 Hotel Kendros 18

Pernik D3 Petar Parchevi ch F3, F4 Petko D. Petkov E4, F4, G4, H4 Petko Karavelov C2, D2 Petko R. Slaveykov C4, D4, E4 Petko Yu. Todorov odor ov E1, E2 Petofi E1, E2 Peyo K. Yavorov E2 Pleven C1  Pliska D5, E5 Podofitser Georgi Kotov A2, A3 Polk. Bonev A2, B2 Polk. Sava Mutkurov B1  Poned elnik Pazara E3, E4 Praga F3, F4 Presiyan A2, A3 Preslav D1, E1, E2, F2 Preslav E1  Prolet D2 Pulpudeva E4 Radetski G1  Rakovsk i E4, F4 Rayko Daskalov C2, D2 Rayno Popovich C5 Rilski Metoh D3, E3 Rodopi E5, F5, G5, H5 Rossini G1, G2 Ruski C1, D1, E1, F1, G1, H1  Saborishte D5, E5 Saborna D3 Saedin ena Bulgaria E3, E4 Saedinenie C2 Saglasi e D1, D2 San Stefano G4, H4 Sedyanka A2 Sharkyoy H4 Sheynovo E4 Schill er F1, F2 Skayler D2 Slavyanska G4, G5, H4 Slivnitsa A1, A2, B1  Slivnitsa A2, B2 Sofroniy Vrachanski D2 Stanislav Dospevski E3 Stefan Karadzha D2, E2 Stefan Stambolov E3 Stefan Verkovich D3 Stoyan Chalakov D3 Stoycho Moshanov D4, D5 Strahil C4 Stramna C4, D4 Strossma yer F3, F4

Hotel Leipzig Hotel Maritsa Hotel Metropol Hotel Mirena Hotel Renaissance Hotel Rusalka Hotel Seven Hills Hotel SPS Kaiten Sushi Bar Sazae Las Vegas Casino Club Letni Stseni Konyushnite na Tsara Lebowski Malak Bunardzhik Makalali Megdana Mehana Hashove Mehana Staroto Vreme Naylona Night Club Noviz Hotel Novotel Plovdiv Odeon Hotel-Restaurant Pacific Paparazzi Park Hotel Imperial Park hotel Sankt Peterburg Petar I Petnoto na Rorschach Piano Bar La Rosa Negra Pizza Originalle Pizza Verdi Plovdiv Guest

16 16 19 18 18 18 18 18 28 29 33 32 22 29 24 24 24 31  27  17  16 19 24 33 19 17  28 33 31  28 28 20

Struma D5 Strumitsa D1  Sv. Gorazd Goraz d D1  Sv. Klimen t C2, D2 Sv. Marina E3 Sv. Sv. Nedelya D4 Sv. Petka Petk a E4, F3, F4 Sv. Sv. Sedmochislenitsi D1, D2 Sv. Sv. Konstan tin I Elena D3 Sveta Gora E4 Teodosi eodo si TaRnovski G1, G2 Todor Burmov G5 Todor G. Vlaykov G5 Todor Hrulev C3 Todor Kableshkov D2, E2, F2 Todor Samodu mov D3 Topolnitsa C4 Trakia raki a G1, G2 Trapezitsa F4 Trudovak H5 Tsanko Lavrenov D3, D4 Tsanko Tserkovski D1  Tsar Asen F3, G3, G4, H4 Tsar Boris III Obedinitel A3, B3, C3, D3, E3, F3, G3, H3 Tsar Georgi Geor gi Terter E4, E5 Tsar Ivan Aleksan dar E1, F1  Tsar Ivan Shishman C4, D4 Tsar Ivayl o D3, E3 Tsar Kaloyan C1, D1  Tsar Kaloyan D1  Tsar Samuil C1  Tsentralen F3 Vasil Aprilov April ov G1, H1  Vasil Drumev E1  Vasil Levski A1, A2, B2 Veliko Tarnovo F2, F3, G1, G2, H1  Vesela B4, B5 Viktor Vikto r Yugo E1, E2, F2 Visla B2, C2 Vitosha D3 Yanko Sakazov C1  Yoakim Gruev B2, C2, D2, D3 Yosif Shni ter E2, F2 Zahari Zograf C5, D5 Zamenhof C2 Zhel ezarska D2, D3 Zhiten Pazar C4 Zlatarska D2, D3 Zlatibor D3 Zlatyu Boyadzhiev A2, A3 Zora D3, D4, E4

Plazma 32 Pozharnata 34 Rotana 28 Plazma 27  Plovdiv Guest 18 Posleden Grosh 22 Pri Chicho 24 Racic Hotel 21  Rahat Tepe 25 Red Eye Bar 32 Restaurant Arena 26 Restaurant Belle Ville 21  Restaurant & Garden Amsterdam 26 Restaurant-Garden Philippopolis 26 Restaurant Janet 26 Restaurant K2 26 Restaurant Paldin 24 Restaurant Renaissance 27  Retro Club Liqueur 28 Rozenhof 28 Siyanie 24 Skalata 30 Skerzzo Bar & Dinner 27  The Fabric 32 The Old Plovdiv 23 The Old Town Residenc e 17  The Old Plovdiv 27  Trakiyski raki yski Stan 32 Vodenitsata 24 Wine Restaurant Vinalia 25 Zlatna Krusha 28

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