Plovdiv — 126 Vasil Aprilov Live Webcam, Bulgaria

Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia and serves as the administrative center of Plovdiv Province. The city has a population of just over 385,800 people and covers an area of approximately 110 square kilometers (42.5 square miles). It is situated along the Maritsa River on the Thracian Plain in southern Bulgaria, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) southeast of Sofia. Plovdiv is a major transportation hub that connects key highways and railway lines. The city is served by Plovdiv International Airport (IATA: PDV, ICAO: LBPD), located around 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the historical city center.

Plovdiv is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history spanning nearly 8,000 years. The earliest signs of settlement here date back to the Neolithic era. The city was once known as Philippopolis, named after the Macedonian king Philip II, who conquered it in the 4th century BCE. Over the centuries, Plovdiv became part of the Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian, and Ottoman Empires, each leaving its mark on the city’s architecture and cultural heritage.

Today, Plovdiv is recognized as Bulgaria’s cultural capital and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. In 2019, the city was named European Capital of Culture. It is home to numerous museums, galleries, and theaters, including the Archaeological Museum, which houses a rich collection of historical artifacts, and the National Ethnographic Museum.

Some of Plovdiv’s most famous landmarks include: The Ancient Roman Theater, built in the 1st century CE; The Roman Stadium, dating back to the 2nd century CE; The Old Town of Plovdiv, known for its Ottoman and Bulgarian Revival–era architecture, cobblestone streets, and colorful historic homes.

Plovdiv is also a major economic center, with well-developed trade, industry, and tourism sectors. Its industrial zones are home to businesses that produce goods for both domestic consumption and export. Tourism plays an important role in the city’s economy, driven by its rich cultural and historical heritage, modern infrastructure, and warm climate.

The city has a transitional climate, between temperate continental and Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry, with average daytime temperatures around 30 °C (86 °F). Winters are mild to moderately cold, with occasional snowfall and average lows dropping to about –1 °C (30 °F). Precipitation is generally low, with most rainfall occurring during the autumn and winter months.