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After the distruction of the Roman Empire, Plovdiv became part of the
Byzantium. Emperor Justinian the Great (527-565) renovates the city
Trimontium. That century was very important in Plovdiv's history for
about in the middle of the 6' century the Slavs came here. They renamed
it with its Thracian name of Pulpudeva, but modify it into Puldin or
Ploudin from where the present name came.
During the First Bulgarian Kingdom, Plovdiv found itself a border city
with an exceptional importance in the incessant fights between the
Byzantium Empire and the young Bulgarian State. Plovdiv repeatedly
changed hands during the Middle Ages.
Located on the main military route in the Balkan Peninsula - Via
Militaris - during the Middle Ages Plovdiv became part of the stations
of the crusaders of the first four crusades.
In 14th century the Turks invaded the Balkans and made Constantinopol
capital of the Ottoman Empire. Placed in the middle of the Empire,
Philibe (how the Turks called the city) lost its importance of a border
fortress. Gradually and irreversibly all signs and vestiges of the past
grandeur disappeared. The Turks began building mosques, inns,
guesthouses and public baths. Step by step, Plovdiv turned into a
typical oriental city with a particular charm and mystique
During the first half of 19th century, along with Istanbul, Thessaloniki
and Edirne, Plovdiv became an important economic centre in the European
part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1853 the population of the city was 50
000. From this period are date most of the houses which form today the
“Old Plovdiv” architectural reserve.
After the independence Sofia became state and political centre, and
Plovdiv preserved itself as a culture and industrial centre.
In 1892 Plovdiv was a host of the First Bulgarian Exhibition with
foreign participation. Its inheritor today is the Plovdiv International
fair.
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