Revival
The Old Town
six millennia of city on three hills
The architectural-historical reserve on Nebet, Dzhambaz and Taksim hills is Plovdiv's oldest inhabited core: settlement from around 4000 BC, an ancient acropolis and Revival-era mansions in a single quarter. The reserve covers about 35 hectares and has been on UNESCO's tentative list since 2004.
Why this quarter matters
If Plovdiv claims a place among Europe's oldest living cities, this quarter is the proof: six millennia of unbroken life on three hills, where a Thracian stronghold, a Roman theatre and Revival-era salons share a single street. The Unification was proclaimed here, and Bulgarian urban conservation was born here too.
For the visitor
- What to see
- Nebet Tepe, the Ancient Theatre, Hisar Kapia and at least one painted house interior — Hindliyan or the Ethnographic Museum.
- How long
- Half a day; a full day with the museums.
- When to come
- Early morning for empty lanes or late afternoon for golden light on the façades.
- Food nearby
- Few eateries inside the reserve — Kapana waits 5 minutes downhill with all the choice.
Where the name comes from
Also called the Three Hills after the three tepeta it stands on; the reserve's official name is "Ancient Plovdiv".
Getting there
Enter on foot from Dzhumaya square or through Hisar Kapia; the lanes are cobbled and steep, so cars are no help here.
Quarter timeline
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c. 4000 BC
First settlement
A prehistoric settlement rises on Nebet Tepe — the start of continuous life on the hills.
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342 BC
Philippopolis
Philip II of Macedon takes the city; through antiquity the Three Hills acropolis carries his name.
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1847
The Revival mansions
Wealthy merchants build the symmetrical houses with oriels and painted façades — the 1847 Kuyumdzhioglu House is today's Ethnographic Museum.
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6 September 1885
The Unification
From the quarter's heart the Unification of Eastern Rumelia with the Principality of Bulgaria is proclaimed.
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1956
The reserve
The quarter is declared an architectural-historical reserve and systematic restoration of the houses begins.
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2004
UNESCO tentative list
Ancient Plovdiv joins UNESCO's tentative list for World Heritage.
People, communities and institutions
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Institution
The Ancient Plovdiv reserve
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Community
The Revival merchants
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People
Alphonse de Lamartine
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Faith
The eastern shoulder's churches
