Plovdiv Plovdiv Plovdiv (, ) is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, with a city population of 345,213 and 675,000 in the greater metropolitan area. It is an important economic, transport, cultural, and educational center. There is evidence of habitation in Plovdiv dating back to the 6th millennium BCE, when the first Neolithic settlements were established; it is said to be one of the oldest cities in Europe. During most of its recorded history, Plovdiv was known in the West by the name "Philippopolis" (; ; "Philip's Town") after Philip II of Macedon conquered the city in the 4th century BCE. The
Plovdiv the year. Mists are common in the cooler months, especially along the banks of the Maritsa. On average there are 33 days with mist during the year. The history of Plovdiv spans more than eight millennia. Numerous nations have left their traces on the cultural layers of the city. The earliest signs of habitation on the territory of Plovdiv date as far back as the 6th millennium BCE. Plovdiv has settlement traces including necropolises dating from the Neolithic era, roughly 6000–5000 BCE, like the mounds Yasa Tepe 1 in Philipovo district and Yasa Tepe 2 in Lauta park. Archaeologists have