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DJUMAYA MOSQUE The Djumaya Mosque is a precious architectural monument in the center of Plovdiv dating back to the 14-15 century. It is a model of the oldest Moslem religious temples still preserved not only in Bulgaria but in the entire Balkan Peninsula. The Djumaya Mosque is an extremely solid building with thick stone walls, covered by lead domes and a polygonal minaret. It is very interesting to see the ancient sun-dial. People believed that it weighs off the eternity or the time of the sultan*s reign. It is open for visitors every day. Chifte Bania is another architectural monument. The building was an old Turkish bath which has separate sections for men and women. It is situated at the crossing of Boulevard Tzar Boris III Obedinitel and Blvd.Shesti Septemvri. The bath is restored and turned into a center for contemporary art. Different cultural activities like exhibitions, symposia and others take place here.........................................2 km Plovdiv Zoo..................................2 km BACHKOVO MONASTERY Bachkovo monastery ranks second only to Rila monastery both with regard to size, and architectural significance. It is situated 30 km. from Plovdiv in Bachkovo village. According to the historians it was founded during Byzantine slavery in 1083. Its founders are two Georgian brothers - Grigorii and Apasii Bakuriani. In his fiefs, Grigorii built a monastery, devoted to the woman-mother and called it Petrichki. The monastery had a rapid history. It was attacked and robbed more than once. Its bloom was during the 13th century, more precisely during the reign of Tzar Ivan Alexander /the second church-donor of the monastery/. An important period for the monastery was the 14th century. Regarding the architecture, the monastery presents as joined rectangular buildings that form an enormous inner yard, in which are located the churches - St. Trinity, St. Archangels and St. Nikola. The older church , St. Archangels, is a basilica, uni-domed building with overarches.................................35 km ANCIENT THEATRE The Ancient theatre is the oldest building of Roman time that has survived. The spectators* seats formed an ampitheatre divided into two rings of 14 rows each. The names of the respective city quarters were chiseled on the benches in each sector. Simply everyone had to sit where he belonged. The stage, today a scene of many cultural activities in the town of the hills, is two-level and exhibits the remarkable architectural mastery of the ancient Romans. Other ancient landmarks are Nebet Hill, an archeological complex from Thracian time with preserved remains of their settlement, and Hissar Kapia - the eastern gate of the fortress, constructed more than 2000 years ago. On the territory of today*s trade center lie the remains of Roman stadium from the II nd century, which was the arena for the Roman games conducted at the time- running, fighting, shooting, fighting with gladiators. The stadium is a semicircle, 180 meteres long................................1.5 km ASENOVA KREPOST Asenova Krepost is located just off the road from Asenovgrad to Smolyan. It is situated 3 kilometers south from Asenovgrad on a rocky top over the left side of Asenitza River. It had existed already at the time of ancient Thrace, but acquired an important strategic significance during the Middle Ages. The castle in the fortress comprised two water reservoirs that have been investigated and restored. The church. St. Bogoroditsa Petrichka, is restored, preserved and today is working for visitors. It has two floors with a wide narthex and unique frescoes from 14th century. In 1803 Grigorii Bakuriani, who held a high post during the time of Alexander I Komnin, created a regulation according to which a private army, castle and administration was given to Asenova Krepost. After expanding the territory of the country to the coasts of three seas, Tzar Ivan Asen II decided to fortify the fortress additionally. During his reign the fortress prospered and that is why it is named Asenova Krepost..............................20 km THRACIAN TOMB IN STAROSEL In the year 2000, near the town of Plovdiv, in the village of Starosel, archeologists found a tomb that became real sensation because it is the most grandiose Thracian architectural monument until now. The tomb is turned towards the Thracian lowland, at the foot of Sredna Gora Mountain. It has an exquisite facade, which shows that it was built as important architectural monument. It is supposed that a Thracian ruler from 5-4th century before Christ is buried there. It is possible that this is Sitalk who was the most powerful ruler of the Odrin*s Kingdom. The entrance of the tomb is 1.60 meters wide and is fortified with beautiful limestone columns. The inner hall is not yet open, but archeologists suppose that there will be many precious itmes there. But it is possible that the tomb had been robbed back in antiquity. There are also statements that this mound is just a part of a cult complex. That the entrance looks towards the whole of Thrace shows the significance of the tomb................................35 km
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