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March 6, 2020

The best things about Plovdiv being European Capital of Culture

Published by freeplovdivtour at February 21, 2020
Categories
  • Local news and events
Tags
  • Bulgaria 2019
  • Cultural Capital of Europ
  • ECC
  • ECC 2019
  • European Capital of Culture
  • plovdiv
  • Plovdiv 2019

Plovdiv ECC 2019

For the past year, Plovdiv was under the spotlights, being a European Capital of culture. This was a prize we were most proud of. But what did it bring to Plovdiv besides fame?

Together
European Capital of Culture

Renovations and excavations

To begin with, we succeeded in renovating a great part of the city center. Since 2015 when Plovdiv won the title European capital of culture for 2019, we’ve turned this area of the city into a jewel.

Starting with Kapana district – the first arts district of Bulgaria. In the past, the ottoman marketplace was there – full of life and working artisans. Sadly with time it lost its function as the merchant center of Plovdiv and turned into a poorly maintained neighborhood nearby the pedestrian street. After the city was chosen to be the European Capital of Culture for 2019 Kapana had its revival. Now it has become a favorite spot for both locals and tourists.

Plovdiv
Kapana district

We renovated many of the 19th-century houses around the main street and made sure Plovdiv will look even better than before.

Capital of Culture
Main pedestrian street of Plovdiv

Also, the central square turned into an exhibition of the ancient forum, excavating Roman streets and remnants of shops, temples, and buildings.

Capital of Culture
Roman Forum in Plovdiv

Economic development

The economy of the city changed significantly, with many new businesses opening. Cozy restaurants and nice little cafes opened in the center. Big international companies invested and opened branches in Plovdiv. The second-largest city of Bulgaria became the fastest developing business center in the country. Manufacture in the food industry and IT were especially developed.

Tourism

Plovdiv did not get significant growth in tourism, however, the quality of the services offered in the city did get significantly better. Therefore, it’s safe to say that in this aspect, being ECC paid quite well. Plovdiv got better functioning tourist centers, more knowledgeable tour guides. Also, better organization and coordination of events and more quality in managing the local museums. The cultural calendar has never been so rich, with literally hundreds of different events, festivals, bazaars, concerts, and performances taking place within the year.

Capital of Culture
The motto of the European Capital of Culture for 2019 Plovdiv

Being a European capital of culture is not easy by any means. Everyone’s turned their sight on you. Expectations are always high. But what we excelled at the most is earning some experience, which is priceless. And now we are ready to work together (pun intended) for a better future for our favorite city – Plovdiv.

Author: Free Plovdiv Tour Guide – Iliya Iliev

Also check:

Plovdiv 2019 – European Capital of Culture

Matera – the sister European Cultural Capital of Plovdiv

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  • TripAdvisor

A must do Kris was an amazing tour guide, even though we had (crazy guy) in our group she still handle everything very well. It was extreamely informative and this… Read more “”

Nice walk in the city center We attented the tour on 4th July at 6 p.m. with Rossi as a guide. The tour was interesting and useful for us. We… Read more “”

Great! Our tour guide Mel was great! 🙂 She told us a lot of interesting stories about the city and she has a great sense of humor! Godinova, Bulgaria

Informative and fun The walking tour was very interesting and informative, we had lots of fun listening to the guide. She knew a lot about Plovdivs long and complicated history… Read more “”

Thanks! Chris was a warm host in the city of Plovdiv on a chilly February Day. Her English is excellent and her love of Plovdiv is evident. I loved her… Read more “”

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