Tour of Plovdiv (Bulgaria)   

This excursion is included in the programs of the following field schools and it is covered by the the reimbursement payment:

- Ancient Greeks in the Land of Dionysos - Excavation of Emporion Pistiros, Thrace  
- Tell Yunatsite Excavations – Seeking Europe's First Civilization  
- Bona Mansio - Roman Road Station on Via Diagonalis      

Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria. It is also known as one of the oldest cities in Europe, based on the uninterrupted habitation here for over 8000 years. The evidence dates back to ca. 6000 BCE when the first Neolithic settlements were established. The city was known for most of its recorded history by the name Philippopolis as Philip II of Macedon conquered it in the 4th century BCE and gave his name to it. Before that the city was a center of the Thracian state. It is also one of the largest and best preserved Roman cities of the eastern Balkan peninsula.

Plovdiv is situated in a fertile region of south-central Bulgaria on the two banks of the Maritsa River. The city has historically developed on seven syenite hills, some of which are 250 meters (820 feet) high. Because of these hills, Plovdiv is often referred to in Bulgaria as "The City of the Seven Hills". There are many remains preserved from antiquity such as the ancient Plovdiv Roman theatre, Roman Odeon, Roman aqueduct, Roman Stadium, the archaeological complex Eirene, and others.

The trip includes visits to the Archaeological Museum, the Old Town Quarter (17^th – 19^th century) and Acropolis, the Roman Forum, the Roman Theater (2^nd century CE), the Roman stadium (2^nd century CE) and the so-called Small basilica from the time of Early Christianity.    

The tour/price includes:   

• Lunch  
• An English speaking guide & travel assistant;
• Round trip transportation

     

• All expenses of the guide & travel assistant, entries to galleries / museums and the driver
• Travel insurance   

• Sightseeing tours of the main square of Plovdiv, the Roman amphitheatre, Roman stadium, traditional Bulgarian old town quarter and the 

  creative district of Kapana

• Tickets to the Archaeological Museum of Plovdiv and the Small Basilica Museum of Plovdiv.   
• Lecture on the history of Plovdiv