Full Day Archaeological tour of Plovdiv and the Region

Overview

Imagine yourself walking in the footsteps of ancient civilizations, unraveling the secrets of the past, and discovering the rich heritage of this fascinating region led by a highly educated in history and archeology guide who will do his best to make this day amazing. . Each stop on this tour will transport you to a different era, and provide a unique perspective on Bulgaria's history and culture. Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Plovdiv - Europe's oldest inhabited city, boasting a rich blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. Step back in time to the medieval era and discover the imposing Asen's fortress, a testament to the country's resilience in the face of adversity. And finally, we'll visit the magnificent Bachkovo Monastery, which has stood the test of time and remains a shining example of Bulgaria's religious and cultural heritage.

Itinerary

1. At 09:00 your guide will meet you at your hotel/accommodation in Plovdiv and your journey through history will begin. The first stage of the tour will be a walking tour of the ancient ruins of Plovdiv. First, you will visit one of the most impressive archeological sites in Bulgaria- The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis. The basilica is impressive with its size but also with the preserved mosaics which are some of the finest examples of Late Roman art and early Christian traditions. The IV century Christian church replaced the earlier temple dedicated to the cult of the Emperor. You will see and learn how the Christians have implemented and adopted the Classical styles and motives and created something one of the sort. The exposition of this impressive site is very interactive and includes digital 3D reconstructions of the ancient building.

   · 1 h· Admission included

2. Small Basilica Of Philippopolis

   After we finish with the Bishop's basilica we will visit another example of the Early Christian sanctuary so-called "The small basilica". You will admire other wonderful and well-preserved mosaics from the IV century AD.

   · 1 h· Admission included

3. Our walk will continue and will lead us to the ancient Forum of Philipopolis and the South gate. Next to the Forum used to be one of the sides of an impressive Roman stadium. We will see the remains of this amazing sport facility which had a capacity of 30 000 spectators who were watching the chariot races. There we not so many of those buildings in the Empire which can give you a better idea what was the status of the city in the II and the III century AD. The Stadium was constructed during the reign of Emperor Hadrian who actually stayed in the city for few months.

   · 30 min· Admission not included

4. Djumaya Mosque

   Next to the Roman ruins is standing one of the most beautiful and old medieval mosques- Djumaya Mosque. As Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman empire for around 5 centuries its heritage has a very strong impact. We can make visit inside and admire the Ottoman art and the mixture of architectural styles between the Byzantine and Ottoman traditions.

   · 30 min

5. Plovdiv Old Town

   When we finish our lunch break, we will continue with our exploration of this amazing city. We will enter the Old town where you will learn about the Revival period of Bulgaria and the late Ottoman rule. We will see the architecture of the XIX-century upper-class citizens of Plovdiv. We can enter some of those homes. We will see some medieval ruins and the fortification that was built after the Hunic invasion. We will reach the top of the hill where the first prehistorical settlement was established which makes Plovdiv one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe.

   · 3 h· Admission included

6. Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis

   Our next stop will bring us back to the Roman empire and the period after the Dacian wars, during the reign of Emperor Trajan. We will visit the Theatre of the ancient Trimoncium which is still an active theatre where performances are still happening. During the II century AD, the theatre was used to entertain the citizens with gladiator fights.

   · 1 h· Admission included

7. Assenova krepost (Asen's Fortress)

   When we are done with Plovdiv's old town, we will pick a car and head towards the next destination of the tour – Asenova Fortress (approx. 25 min drive from Plovdiv). Asen's Fortress is situated on the top of a cliff in Rodopi Mountain, at approx. 20 km distance from Plovdiv. During the exploration of this medieval fort, you will learn about the might of Bulgarian medieval history and what dramas led to the fall under Ottoman rule.

   · 1 h· Admission included

8. Monastère de Bachkovo

   After feasting our eyes on the beauties of nature, we will drive to the Bachkovo monastery. This is the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria and one of the oldest. It was established in the late XI century by a man from Georgia. You will learn about this very dramatic period in Bulgarian history- an invasion of Viking leaders from Kyiv Rus and a long-lasting catastrophic war with the Byzantines, the adoption of Christianity and the Cyrillic in Kyiv Rus, and many more. Also, we will get to modern times and will talk about the Second World War and the saving of the Bulgarian Jewish community.

   · 1 h

Pickup

Pickup included.

How to use your ticket

What to know before you go

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Travelers

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

This activity can be canceled in case of bad weather.

Product code: 87479P50

Activity offered by BulTrips via Viator.