One of my favourite things to see in any place I visit, is the architecture. So much history and cultural expression is wrapped up in the facades and buildings. Walking around every day, I have been overwhelmed by the unique architecture in Plovdiv. This city has such a varied past, and it clearly shows in the buildings.
Architecture
I think many people who travel to various destinations, go to see tourist sights or partake of the food and local activities. While I do enjoy these things to some degree, especially the food, there is so much more that I absorb when I am on location. Searching for and photographing beautiful buildings gives me immense pleasure.
To me architecture is akin to art. A building often evokes emotion in me. Sometime I am overcome with its beauty, and other times I find myself crossing my arms and feeling uninvited and unwelcome. All just from looking at a structure. Amazing.
Plovdiv
With Plovdiv being the oldest living city in Europe, it clearly has a lengthy history. Early neolithic settlements from as far back as 6000BC have been discovered. In 350BC it was ruled by the Thracian’s, and in 46AD the Romans took over. In 250 the entire city was burned to the ground by the Goths. Then rebuilt by the Romans.
In 836 it became the First Bulgarian Empire and was conquered over and over again until 1371 when the Ottomans took hold. The Ottomans ruled here for the next 500 years! And then, last but not least, the soviet occupation of the country from the end of WWII until 1990. Wow, no wonder there is no shortage of unique buildings here!
Ottoman
What I see on a regular day to day basis are generally, a handful of styles of architecture. Few grand Ottoman buildings remain. At its height, the city once held 65 mosques. Today, there are 5 left and only 2 are currently functional.
Besides the mosques I have passed this beautiful Ottoman bath. I am unable to procure entry, but the exterior is marvellous.
Bulgarian Revival
In Old Town I see so many of these beautiful Bulgarian Revival houses dating from the mid 1800’s, absolutely gorgeous and so very unique. It warms my heart that these have been protected and, in many cases, lovingly restored to their former beauty.
Art Deco & Art Nouveau
Oh, these buildings are gorgeous. The plaster work on the facades as well as the structures themselves are so beautiful. Unfortunately, many of them are in disrepair and states of decay, I could just cry. Have a look at these beauties from the Art Deco & Art Nouveau era.
Soviet Era Buildings
Perhaps and surprisingly so, I am quite attracted to some of these buildings. Even though they evoke a coldness in me, the clean lines and simplicity are very attractive. The Plovdiv Opera house is a real favourite of mine.
But there are so many more, in fact they dominate the city. Interestingly, some are decorated with mid century modern art on only one single side. I am really loving this aspect and I was completely unaware of this feature.
I continue to see amazing architecture every morning I explore the city further. For just today, I found this stunning 1970’s building, the façade of which is made of curved wooden panels. Completely unique to anything else I have seen thus far.
