Pazardzhik is a town in Bulgaria, on the Upper Thracian Plain in the south of the country. It is a place of Revival-period architecture and cultural heritage, and it makes a relaxed stop for visitors who want to see a working Bulgarian town rather than a resort.
What to see in town
The centre is pedestrian-friendly, so it is easy to walk between its streets and squares at an unhurried pace. Much of the appeal lies in the buildings from the Bulgarian National Revival period, which give the town its character. The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary is among the most notable sights; it is one of the larger Orthodox churches in Bulgaria, and it is worth a visit for its scale alone.
Crafts and everyday life
Traditional crafts shops along the centre are a good way to take something home and to see local skills at work. Browsing them, and sitting in a café on the main pedestrian streets, gives a more direct sense of the town than a list of monuments would.
Around Pazardzhik
- The town is a gateway to the Rhodope Mountains, which begin to the south and offer landscapes well beyond the plain.
- Its position on the Upper Thracian Plain makes it a practical base for travellers moving through central and southern Bulgaria.
Pazardzhik suits a visitor who enjoys walking, architecture and local crafts, and who is happy to use the town as a stopping point on the way to the mountains.