"Spiritual Routes in Plovdiv 2024" with Two New Interesting Routes Through the Depths of Plovdiv’s History, Architecture, and Art.

Letera Publishing House invites Plovdiv residents and visitors to the next journey into the world of history, architecture, culture, and art of Plovdiv, as part of the latest edition of "Spiritual Routes in Plovdiv 2024." This year, the "Spiritual Routes" are being conducted in two stages – in June and September-October, where all interested individuals will have the opportunity to explore new and intriguing topics, presented in an engaging manner by the best guides.

The June routes began with two fascinating journeys led by archaeologist Maya Martinova-Kyutova, dedicated to "The Forum of Philippopolis" and "The Small Basilica and the Eastern Gate of Philippopolis." The next two routes in June, scheduled for June 15 and June 22, will be led by Dr. Stefan Shivachev – a historian, author of publications on the history of the Plovdiv region, and leader of international and national projects.

On June 15, 2024, Saturday, at 10:30 AM, with a meeting point at Saedinenie Square, the route "Plovdiv on the Path to the Modern World" will commence. During the Liberation in 1878, Plovdiv was an oriental city with a population of about 33,000. In just 70–80 years, the city underwent modernization and by the mid-20th century, it was a city of 100,000 with an implemented urban plan, water supply, sewerage, established industry, and newly built architectural ensembles in the central urban area. The route will be illustrated with the namesake exhibition in the building of the Regional History Museum at Saedinenie Square, featuring rich visual material and extensive museum collections. Emphasis will be placed on the buildings constructed during these decades, which remain an important part of Plovdiv's architectural wealth, and on the creators like Lucien Chevalas, architect Joseph Schnitter, numerous Bulgarian architects, industry founders Magardich Tomassian, Panteley Genov, Hristo Syarov, Rudolf Frick, and Friedrich Sulzer; as well as mayors Hristo Dyukmedzhiev, Hristo G. Danov, Dr. Ivan Kesyakov, and Bozhidar Zdravkov.

On June 22, 2024, Saturday, at 10:30 AM, with a meeting point at the Seventh Hill (the garden behind Dzhumaya Mosque), the route "The Plovdiv Revival House" will begin. During the National Revival in the 19th century, true architectural masterpieces were created on the Three Hills in Plovdiv, which many researchers describe as Bulgarian Baroque. These were the work of self-taught Bulgarian masters who lacked academic education but whose creative genius produced the houses of Dimitar Georgiadi, Andrey Nedkovich, Stepan Hindliyan, the Balabanov House, the Chomakov House, and others. The Plovdiv symmetrical house forms the foundation of the entire architectural and construction process in the Bulgarian lands during this period. The route will include visits to the houses of Hristo G. Danov, Dimitar Georgiadi, and Klianti, which illustrate the different stages of development of the Plovdiv Revival house.

In September and October 2024, the next routes on visual arts, literature, and architecture will take place. The "Spiritual Routes in Plovdiv 2024" project is funded by the Municipality of Plovdiv and is part of the city's Cultural Calendar.

Admission is free!

For more information: www.facebook.com/marshruti.plovdiv