Plovdiv & Assen Fortress Group Tour

Plovdiv overview

Plovdiv is one of the oldest European towns contemporary to Troya and Mikena. It has existed as a settlement for 8000 years and became a town some 3000 years ago during the Troyan war. In 342 BC, it was conquered by Philip ІІ of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, who renamed it Philippopolis or "the city of Philip" in his own honor. With the establishment of Bulgaria in 681, Philipopolis became an important border fortress of the Byzantine Empire. In 1364 the Ottoman Turks seized Plovdiv and named the city Filibe which comes from "Philip". In the historic heart of the city you will see beautifully decorated 19th century houses, the ancient fortress-wall, the Roman forum and stadium and magnificent churches. The city of Plovdiv with its museums, historical sites, ancient houses and paved streets is proudly the European Capital of Culture of 2019.

Asen Fortress overview

This amazing fortress is built on a high, rocky ridge in the Rodopi mountain about 20 km south of Plovdiv during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great in 6th century. A stone message witnesses in 1230 Ivan Asen the Second rebuilt the fortress after he won the glorious battle near Klokotnitsa. The best preserved and most notable feature of Asen's Fortress is the Church of the Holy Mother of God from the 12th-13th century. It is a two-storey cross-domed single-naved building with a wide narthex and a large rectangular tower, and features mural paintings from the 14th century.

Prices

Every Thursday & Sunday: 39€ per person. A minimum group of 3 persons is required to run the tour, fully refundable if cancelled.

The price for Plovdiv Shuttle Tour includes: transfer from/to the departure point in Sofia, guide in English throughout the whole day, parking fees. Meals, personal expenses, entrance fees are not included (Plovdiv museums 6BGN per museum or 15BGN for all and Assen Fortress 8 BGN). Children (1-16yrs) benefit a 20% discount.

Check all prices and book online here: V Travel Online Booking

Departure point every Thursday and Sunday at 9:00 from Serdika meeeting point (2, Maria Luiza boulevard across McDonalds (see map below).

Departure point