Best winter activities in and near Plovdiv
January 1, 2026
The Thursday Market is one of the oldest and most distinctive markets in Plovdiv. Today it is located in the Marasha neighborhood, north of Sixth of September Boulevard, near Unification Square. And it works not only on Thursday, but every day.
History
The origins of the Thursday Market are closely connected to the development of Plovdiv during the Ottoman period. In the mid-15th century, after the construction of a wooden bridge over the Maritsa River by Lala Shahin Pasha, a large complex began to form near the bridge. One of his successors, Shahabeddin Ghazi Pasha, ordered the construction of important public buildings in the area, including a mosque (Imaret Mosque), a religious school (madrasa), an elementary school (mekteb), a public bath (hammam), a caravanserai (inn), and a public kitchen (imaret), which provided free food to the poor and to travelers passing through the city.
This complex played a key role in shaping the northern expansion of Plovdiv. In the early 16th century, further development followed when Ibrahim Pasha, a high-ranking Ottoman official of Greek origin from Epirus, built large stables near the bridge, capable of housing hundreds of horses and camels. A long paved street, known as Uzun Charshiya, gradually connected this northern entrance to the city with its historic core, today’s Old Town.
Over time, several Ottoman neighborhoods developed around the area, including Tabak Hisar, Kaya Medjid, Orta Mezar, and others. While there is no exact record of when the market itself first appeared, historical sources indicate the presence of a marketplace near the western side of the bridge as early as the second half of the 17th century.
Changes Through the 20th Century
In 1893, the Plovdiv Municipal Council decided to relocate the market to the area opposite the city library and museum, today known as Unification Square. In 1925, the relocation of the Thursday Market to Orta Mezar Square began, as part of broader urban planning initiatives connected with the construction of the Monument of the Unification of Bulgaria. Although these plans were discussed and partially implemented, the project was delayed, and the market remained at its previous location for many years, with a concrete pedestal for the unfinished monument standing in its western section for decades.
Image: “BASA-3K-14-217a-1-Plovdiv.JPG”, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BASA-3K-14-217a-1-Plovdiv.JPG
In April 1955, the market was officially renamed the “Plovdiv Cooperative Market” and expanded significantly, featuring around 1,400 stalls and up to 175 kiosks and wooden structures. In 1984, a final decision was made to move the market in order to complete the construction of the Unification Monument.
Photo: retro-plovdiv.com
The Market Today
On 26 September 1986, the Thursday Market opened at its current location, covering an area of over 3,300 square meters. A metal structure was built to shelter the market, ensuring its continued function as a key commercial and social space in the city.
Today, the Thursday Market, although a bit modernized, remains a lively symbol of Plovdiv’s everyday life. It combines centuries of history with modern urban rhythm, offering visitors not only fresh produce and goods, but also a living connection to the city’s past and its multicultural heritage.
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