Leisure and Sport

The hills: Plovdiv is known as the Town of Seven Hills, but the seventh, Markovo Tepe, was destroyed by the late nineteenth to mid twentieth century. Of today’s six syenite hills highest and most remote from the city center is Dzhendem Tepe /Youth Hill/. Second in height is Bunardzhika /Liberators Hill/ on the top of which are situated the monuments of Russian Liberators and of the Soviet Soldier, called Alyosha. In the center of the modern city lays Sahat Tepe /Danov Hill/ which is called the clock hill because of the discovered there sun and water dial dating back to Roman ages, as well as because of the clock tower of the XVI - XVII century. With their rich flora the hills are a great place for walks and recreation. Inseparable from one another are the three hills on Three-hills, which gave the Roman name of the town, Trimontium. On top of them /Dzhambaz, Taksim and Nebet Tepe/ is situated the architectural and historical reserve of Old Plovdiv.

Pedestrian Center: The spirit of Plovdiv can be best felt in the wide pedestrian center. Fully restored beautiful buildings from the late nineteenth century, renewed street covering, separate public amenities and diverse dining and entertainment facilities offer a pleasant stay, combined with a walk and some shopping.

Tzar Simeon’s Garden: In the southwest corner of the main street is located Tzar Simeon’s Garden. Designed and completed under a project of the Swiss Lucien Chevalas,known as court gardener of the Turkish Sultan Abdul Azis in the late nineteenth century. It has been declared as a monument of gardening art. Since its creation, the classic fountain of the goddess of fertility Demeter has been preserved, marbled by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi. The fountain is the only relic, reminiscent of the First Bulgarian Exhibition held at the place where the park is located today. There are many monuments of Bulgarian spiritual leaders, modern sculptures and items of plastic art. Inside the park is the lake with the singing fountains, which in summer time attracts thousands Plovdiv residents and visitors. The garden is an attractive center for recreation during all seasons.

Rowing canal: National and international sporting events and competitions are held here. Built according to international standards, the channel is 2200 m. long, 120 m. wide and 3 m. deep. Next to it are located Recreation and Culture Park and Plovdiv Stadium. Plovdiv residents call the area “the lungs” of the city.

For young and adults’ leisure time the Children’s Railroad, located at the Youth Hill, operates from April to September.

Sports Calendar of Plovdiv

• “Georgi Tringov” International Chess Tournament – January
• “Asparuh’s Sword” Fencing Tournament – February/March
• “Plovdiv” International Bridge Tournament – May
• “Plovdiv” International Cycling Cup – May/June
• “Plovdiv” International Judo Tournament – June
• “Vulpev – Bahchevanov” International Athletics Tournament – June/July
• “Rodopi” Retro Rally – August/September
• International Cycling Tour of Bulgaria – Plovdiv  stage – September
• International Tournament in Sport Aerobic for Children – September
• “Todor Darakev” International Judo Tournament  – October
• “Hebros” Rally– October
• “Nikolay Velev” Regatta /canoeing/ – September/October
• European Rowing Championship – October

Sports and Recreational Centers:

Sports Complex Plovdiv– hallChayka/Rhythmic Gymnastics/ 032 625 872 and0888 510 747, Athletics and Tennis– 032 642 605, Judo, Soccer.

Hristo Botev Sports Complex –Table Tennis– 0899 669 027, Karate– 032 622 286, Rhythmic Gymnastics– 032 440 526 and0886 848 348, Taekwondo– 0888 706 008, Shooting Sports- 0888 835 533, Boxing– 032 622 518.

OlimpiadaHall – Table Tennis– 0884/670 811, Judo– 0888/528 135, Vertical Climbing Wall.

MladostSwimming Pool – 1, 6^th Septemvri Blvd. – swimming, 032/643 953.

Fencing Hall–133, Peshtersko Shose Blvd.,0884/289 724

Vertical Climbing Wall– MallGalleria /see page/

LautaCarting– Sankt Peterburg Blvd. /next to Lokomotiv Stadium/, 032/631 852 and0899 907 981

Aqualand  Complex -Aqua park, Trakiya, next to block 36, on the south side of park Lauta, 6 swimming pools and 15 slides; 032/994 222

ExcaliburBowling -Sankt Peterburg Blvd. /next to Lokomotiv Stadium/, 032/631 852, deltakart@mail.bg

NeptuneSwimming Pool–1, Nikola Vaptsarov Blvd., 50 meter open swimming pool, 25 meter swimming pool, open pool for children.

Plovdiv’s Novotel Complex – 2, Zlatyu Boyadzhiev Str.,  novotel_spa@abv.bg, covered swimming pools for adults and children, fitness centre, bowling hall, SPA complex with relaxation and recreational programs, steam bath and sauna, 032/934 343.

Aqua Park– Park Hotel Sankt Peterburg – 97, Bulgaria Blvd., water park with summer garden, five swimming pools- 032/951 830.

Sports Centre with hotel Dedeman Trimontium Princess – swimming pool, fitness, sauna, yoga; 032/605 068.

Rusalka Swimming Pool /open/ – RusalkaHotel Complex– 194A, Dunav Blvd., 032/969 630, hotelrusalka.bg@abv.bg.

Djiya Beach Swimming Pool /open/ – Djiya Beach Hotel Complex – Park Recreation and Culture, Rowing base, 0887/141 654.

OstrovaSwimming Pool /open/ – Rowing Channel, 0887/742 011, www.restorantostrova.com