Plovdiv is known for its impressive religious monuments and ancient buildings. It is home to several Ottoman style mosques, communist edifices, Byzantine antiquities, a magnificent Roman Amphitheatre and other historical tourist attractions. The cobbled streets, enchanting art galleries and bohemian taverns reminds one of Sofia, but only a peaceful and smaller version of it.
Nestled on the scenic plains of Rhodope mountain range, Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It is a major economic, cultural, educational and industrial hub of the country. A renowned art and historic centre, Plovdiv is often on the trip planners of people visiting Bulgaria from Greece and Turkey.
Plovdiv has many educational institutions with courses distributed through various levels, resulting in a large student population. The city also has a number of sports and recreational complexes that cater to both the residents and the visitors.
With more than 6,000 years of history, Plovdiv is said to be the oldest continuously-inhabited city in Europe. It was originally a Thracian city surrounded by seven tall hills. Like many other Bulgarian cities, Plovdiv was liberated by the Russian armed forces in the late 19th century.