East to Plovdiv, Bulgaria

 Plovdiv is about 4 hours by road from Sofia and is Bulgaria's second largest city. It also has Roman ruins! Who knew!

It has an Amphitheatre which wasn't discovered until 1971... everyone thought it was just another hill... they have around 7 of them.... the other hills are possibly still hiding other ruins!

We first went to explore the Old Town....

.. an old pharmacy.......which we visited.... it does have an up to date side!

.....lots of cobbled streets..... and hills!

... before arriving at the Amphitheater....

Absolutely amazing that this was not discovered until 1971!

It wasn't the only ruins discovered..... unfortunately the other ruins discovered are under homes and businesses..... so not possible to excavate!

.....the above is one end of the Roman sports arena... apart from end excavated  all the rest of the arena is under businesses on the main pedestrian street........

....what it would have looked like.....

.....most of the arena is now under this. square.......and the pedestrian street....

There was further uncovered Roman evidence........

.. and the Forum......

All of this was fascinating!

We discovered a great restaurant close to the Forum...... Hemingway....

Can definitely recommend!