This was to be our final day of touring, and STN (Smooth Talking Neil) was taking no chances with us over-revving the engines when removing the Trabies from the underground car park. I don’t blame him. You should see the tight manoeuvres to reverse out of the parking space and the steep exit.
Sweet Pea was now fully recovered and we were heading to Plovdiv, in the boiling heat. We were wilting, but this time Sweet Pea was not.
For our first stop we headed to the spa town of Hisarya situated in central Bulgaria and ideally placed just 25 miles from Plovdiv. The town is one of the oldest and most popular balneological centres in Bulgaria…
Well that’s a term we don’t hear much of (if ever). Actually, before you rush to look up the word, as I know you will, it means the study of medicinal springs and the therapeutic effects of bathing in them. So there you have it.
Hisarya is famous for its healing mineral waters: 16 natural mineral springs and 6 drilled mineral water wells. Evidence of occupation dates back to the 5th century BC, and by the 4th and 3rd centuries BC those Thracians had moved into the region. But the settlement’s heyday was during the Roman era. In 293, Emperor Diocletian declared it a town and this marked the beginning of the construction of massive fortification walls, public buildings, baths and streets.
What makes this town particularly interesting is that the Roman ruins are blended into current day building. There is a central square with mineral water spring which was popular with the residents on this hot day, plus fountains and shaded cafes to relax in.
Nearby was a small, but informative archaeological museum, whose staff were happy to stay open during their lunchtime so that we could make a quick visit. Inside there were artefacts from various digs and detailed information about a collection of giant crystals donated by a Bulgarian whose intention was to save them from destruction for others to admire their natural beauty. It is claimed to be one of two such collections of giant crystals in the world.
It was then time to move on to Plovdiv. But sadly when returning to our cars we faced some very sad news… the death of one of our group. We were all in mourning.
It proved all too much for Blue Bayou. Perhaps it was the extreme heat of around 35 degrees, or perhaps she had just had enough. Slowly she was pushed onto the back of Toncho’s pick-up truck. The engine had given up. It seems that the new E10 petrol just does not suit these old classics. We are all hoping she will be resurrected, but this is not known at present. Maybe Fudge who never did Budge will give her a helping hand.
We headed to Plovdiv which is surrounded by the hills of southern Bulgaria. There are modern parts of the town, but several ancient sites based within the old town.
We managed to climb up the very steep cobbled roads in the intense heat to reach the Roman theatre of Philippopolis and the Forum. Much more could be done to provide visitor information at these sites and despite there being a lot of tourists in the town, the sites were almost empty.
Today the Philippopolis, which once accommodated 6,000 people, is used as a venue for opera and concerts. It dates from the 1st century and is considered one of the world’s best preserved ancient Roman theatres, but is now covered in part by staging and chairs. The theatre is semi-circular in shape with steep marble seating. The site lay undiscovered for many years until the 1970s when a landslide led to archeologists excavating the area.
The Roman Forum that we visited was once a marketplace where merchants exchanged grain, wood and honey for pottery and bronze items. Today it is a shadow of its former self.
Copyright: Words and photos Sue Barnard 2022