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
PFC Botev Plovdiv PFC Botev Plovdiv Professional Football Club Botev Plovdiv, commonly known as Botev Plovdiv ( ) or simply (within the city of Plovdiv itself) Botev, is the oldest continuously existing Bulgarian association football club. The club was established on 12 March 1912 by a group of students in Plovdiv. Its home ground, the Hristo Botev Stadium is located in the residential quarter of Kamenitza and is currently under reconstruction. Therefore, home matches are temporarily played at Botev 1912 Football Complex in Komatevo. The team currently competes in First League, the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. Named in honour