Plovdiv Museums

Assenovgrad - Municipal Historical Museum
The museum opened in 1971, with 3 departments -it exhibits artifacts, photos, paintings, letters and other materials tracing the key historical moments in the development of the town and the region.

Assen`s Fortress (Assenova Krepost)
You could reach that beautiful place by driving south - from Plovdiv to the town of Assenovgrad into the Rhodope Мountains. At the point of just going out of Assenovgrad, take the narrower road to your right leading to the villages of Dobraluk and Yavrovo(the one that goes directly ahead is the one to the Bachkovo Monastery, Smolyan and Pamporovo). Your first wish to stop at the Assen`s Fortress is due to the fact that you simply can pass it by, without its capturing all of your attention. The fortress as well as the neighbouring town itself (Assenovgrad - meaning Assen`s Town), are both bearing the name of one of the greatest rulers Bulgaria has ever had - Tsar Ivan Assen II. It was under the reign of Tsar Ivan Assen II (1218-1241, son of Tsar Assen I and a nephew to Tsar Kaloyan), that the Second Bulgarian Kingdom reached its peak. Bulgaria expanded to three Seas and extended over Thrace, Macedonia and part of Albania. Tsar Ivan Assen II ruled with a significant statesmanship and diplomacy, and managed to restore the autonomy of the Bulgarian Church and established a centralised administration. What remains intact from that fortress is the church, called Holy Virgin of Petrich. It was partially restored in the 20th century, primarily to prevent further deterioration. It is one of the most valuable representations of sacral architecture in Bulgaria. Inside you will see preserved small bits of wall paintings dated from the 14th and 19th centuries.


Bachkovo Monastery
Founded in 1083 by the Georgian brothers Grigorij and Abasij Bakouriani, today the Bachkovo Monastery is a monument of culture of national importance. It consists of an Ossuary (dated 11th century), the Church of the Holy Archangels (12th century) and the Church of the Holy Trinity (17th century). It contains examples of Bulgarian art of icon painting of the period 11th - 19th centuries, among which are icons by Zachary Zograph, the eminent Bulgarian icon-painter.

Hissar - The Archaeological Мuseum
The rich history of this spa resort is displayed in that museum. The exhibits belong chiefly to the ancient Roman city of Diocletianopolis. The museum has three departments: Pre-History, Antiquity and Middle Ages. A separate building houses the ethnographic collection. The museum has nearly 4000 exhibits. After visiting the museum, visitors can take a look at the Hissar Archeological Reserve, the fortifications, the Thermae, the Roman public buildins, the basilicas and the Roman tomb.

Karlovo - the Vassil Levski House-Museum
The museum exhibition is divided into two sections - the authentic house and a documentary hall. The very house Vassil Levski was born in, now restored according to the memories of his contemporaries, displays life-style and atmosphere the Apostle of Freedom grew up in. His life and his revolutionary acivities are shown in photos, documents, facsimiles and articles in the documentary hall.

Plovdiv Guide