Plovdiv city was originally a Thracian settlement and subsequently was invaded by Persians, Greeks, Celts, Romans, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Slavs, Rus people, Crusaders, and Turks. On 4 January 1878, Plovdiv was liberated from Ottoman rule by the Russian army. It remained within the borders of Bulgaria until July of the same year, when it became the capital of the autonomous Ottoman region of Eastern Rumelia. In 1885, Plovdiv and Eastern Rumelia joined Bulgaria. Plovdiv is situated in a fertile region of south-central Bulgaria on the two banks of the Maritsa River. The city has historically developed on seven syenite hills, some
Plovdiv derby Plovdiv derby The Plovdiv derby is the derby in Bulgarian football between Botev Plovdiv and Lokomotiv Plovdiv. It is named after the city, where both clubs are located. Plovdiv derby is the name given to a football match played between two Plovdiv clubs. Although the name is mostly used to describe the match between the city's two most successful clubs, Botev and Lokomotiv, there is another derby match known as "The small Plovdiv derby", contested between Spartak and Maritsa. • Total: Botev Plovdiv with 41 higher finishes, Lokomotiv Plovdiv with 29 higher finishes (as of the end of the 2017–18