Leaving Sofia

We were traveling today from Sofia to, first, Plovdiv and then to Veliko Tarnovo, where we would spend the night. Photo: a number of modern skyscrapers seen when leaving Sofia.

Leaving Sofia

A skyscraper being built.

Leaving Sofia

More modern buildings in this old capital.

Leaving Sofia

A gypsy wagon seen near the new skyscapers, a contrast of time and cultures.

Coming into Plovdiv

A male nude statue on one side of the Maritsa River entering Plovdiv.

Coming into Plovdiv

A bridge with shops (?) on it crossing the river.

Plovdiv

Buildings in the Old Town of Plovdiv. Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe with structures in it dating back 4,000 years to the Thracians, Romans, and the Middle Ages.

Plovdiv

The houses in this area date back to the second half of the 1700s and represent the Bulgarian Revival Period. They are called Plovdiv Houses and are characterized by symmetrical architecture and ornamental facades.

Plovdiv

Plovdiv also has Roman ruins, here the Roman Amphitheatre. It also has Thracian, Byzantine, Medieval, and other ruins. We were given an overview of Plovdiv, but to see all the ruins and the Revival houses, you need much more time here. I wish we had spent a full day here rather than just several hours. It is a very interesting town.

I have put my photos of Plovdiv on a slide show. Go to

Plovdiv

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, “Plovdiv”).

Leaving Plovdiv

Crossing the Maritsa River.

Leaving Plovdiv

A female nude on the side of the river, perhaps the mate of the male nude on the other side of the river.

From Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo

We drove through the countryside on our way to Veliko Tarnovo.

From Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo

And through the Balkan Mountains with many hairpin turns. I have put my photos of our drive from Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo on a slide show. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/plovdiv–to–veliko–tarnovo/

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, “Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo”).

Veliko Tarnovo

At Veliko Tarnovo, the Tsarevets Fortress., the citadel of the 2nd Bulgarian Empire.

Veliko Tarnovo

We didn’t arrive at Veliko Tarnovo until late afternoon. I wish I had had enough energy left to take the long walk up to the Tsarevets Fortress. I would have liked to have had a full day in this very interesting city. But I did walk around its old town.

I have put my photos of Veliko Tarnovo on a slide show. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/veliko–tarnovo/

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, “Veliko Tarnovo”).