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.
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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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.
