The imposing and silent Hissar Kapiya gate – the charismatic door to the heart of Plovdiv, guarding millennial stories, and its bright and recognizable symbol
- Stefan Ivanov
- Jul 1
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 23
Long ago there lived a king - the ruler of ancient Macedonia. His name was Philip II of Macedon. He was famous as a wise statesman and a brilliant commander.
King Philip II of Macedon was the father of the famous Alexander the Great, later known as Emperor Alexander the Great.
In 347 BC, Philip II led an offensive north and fought against the Thracian rulers of the disunited Odrysian Kingdom.
For several years, Philip II won victory after victory, annexing a large part of the Thracian lands to the borders of ancient Macedonia, safely moving towards the old Thracian settlement of Eumolpia, located on the turbulent waters of the great river Hebros.
At that time, the Odrysian Kingdom was ruled by the ruler Karsoblept, who was in alliance with the Athenians.
Due to the stubborn resistance of the Thracians, Philip II was forced to spend the entire summer of 342 BC on a campaign, wintering by the waters of Hebros.
The year 341 BC came.
New reinforcements joined Philip II's army. Together with them, his beloved sister, Haysaria, also came to the king's camp.
Philip II's large army easily defeated the Thracians and dethroned Kersoblept.
The time came for King Philip II to enter the large Thracian settlement of Eumolpia victoriously.
It so happened that on the eve of that day, the king made a bet with his sister - which of the two of them would enter the city first would give it its name.
That same night, the thirsty for success Haysaria cunningly drugged the guards and the roosters, pouring various sleeping herbs into the wine and water.
People and animals fell into a deep and unawakened sleep until morning.
The cunning Haysaria did not even wait for dawn! Even at an early age, she mounted her faithful and incredibly fast thoroughbred stallion and immediately left the royal camp, located near the land of today's Chirpan.
Together with the light of the first rays of the sun, the beloved royal sister Haysaria stepped onto the majestic fortress walls of Eumolpia. She entered the city victoriously through the large eastern gate.
When the hooves of her fierce steed clattered on the stone pavement under the arches of the gate, he stood on his hind legs, while the wind blew Haysaria's cloak, and she, tightly clutching his black, scattered manes, smiled cheerfully at her success under the rays of the rising sun.
Legend has it that since then the gate through which Haysaria entered Eumolpia bears her name.
The king royally broke his brotherly promise. He gave his name to the city, and left the name of the gate to his sister.
And today this gate is known as Hissar Kapia - the gate of Haysaria, the sister of King Philip II of Macedon and aunt of the great emperor Alexander the Great.
With this interesting mythical legend that I learned and which I am retelling for you, I decided to begin my story about the impressive and silent Hissar Kapiya gate - the charismatic door to the heart of Plovdiv, guarding millennial stories, and its bright and recognizable symbol!
Dear discoverers, connoisseurs of curiosity, seekers of beauty, lovers of the history of Bulgaria, it's time for my second publication in the (probably endless and never-ending) series dedicated to one of the oldest cities in Europe - Plovdiv, forever marked by the colors of different eras and civilizations - Thracians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and Bulgarians, who left a mark on this place and their own charm!
Today we will part the curtain of time and head to a place where every stone is a story and the air is filled with the whispers of bygone eras.
In the heart of the Old Town, also the Architectural and Historical Reserve "Old Plovdiv", among picturesque cobblestone streets and majestic Renaissance houses, rises even today - the impressive and silent Hissar Kapiya gate.
Hisar Kapiya is not just a gate, but a vigilant guard, a keeper of secrets and a direct witness of millennia, patiently waiting to tell you its legend.
Get ready to walk under its impressive arch, under which Rome and Byzantium, Medieval Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire have left their marks, intertwining into a unique whole – a unity that you cannot find anywhere else in the world!
Hisar Kapiya, along with the ancient fortress walls of Philippopolis, is among the largest and most impressive landmarks of Plovdiv, which every tourist, guest of the city or just a dreamer should definitely visit!
Hisar Kapiya fills every adventurer who passes under its curved arches with sparkling inspiration.
The foundations of the gate have stood at this location since time immemorial, when it was among the three most famous entrances (along with the northern and southern) of the ancient city, built into the acropolis fortress wall itself.
The gate is single and was probably fortified in the 6th century, during the reign of Emperor Justinian, along with the completion of the city's massive defensive walls.
Probably in the period 11th - 13th century or 12th - 14th century, Hisar Kapiya acquired its current impressive appearance, in which it greets every passerby even today.
A construction technique was used that is typical of the architecture of the Second Bulgarian Empire – above the arch of the gate, each stone is surrounded by pieces of red brick and bonded with white mortar.
Gradually, Hisar Kapiya lost its significance as a defensive facility after the Ottoman Empire invaded these lands.
From the west, the high stone walls of the Church of St. Constantine and Helena and the Kuyumdzhieva House, today the Regional Ethnographic Museum Plovdiv, form a long passage that ends at the cross street "Doctor Stoyan Chomakov".
At the intersection, a bartizan was built to the north, and the temple's bell tower rises to the south.
It is very likely that this bell tower also had the role of an observation and defensive facility.
The preservation of the obvious fortification structure is probably due to the turbulent years of the Kardzhali rampages on the territory of the Ottoman Empire, which necessitated the renovation of some of the existing and the construction of new defensive facilities to protect the settlement from looting and arson.
In the Hisar Kapiya area, the preserved walls of the former defensive fortress walls were used as massive foundations for the construction of today's Renaissance houses, built by the wealthy merchant class, during the last period of Ottoman rule of the city.
The lower floors of the surrounding Renaissance buildings represent the surviving structures of the fortress.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Hisar Kapiya was fortified for its preservation.
Today, Hisar Kapiya raises arches above the steep cobblestone "Tsanko Lavrenov" street in the Old Town.
The street leads passers-by in a southeasterly direction to the Archaeological Complex of the Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, which is located about 260 meters (about a 5-minute walk) from Hissar Kapiya and which, over time and with the growth of the city, gradually took over the function of Hissar Kapiya as the main eastern gate. That is why these two eastern gates should not be confused - each has enjoyed its heyday over time!
East of Hisar Kapiya is a small picturesque square, surrounded by the church's high stone walls of the church "St. St. Constantine and Elena", the red facade of the Georgiadi House, today the Regional Historical Museum Plovdiv, and the tall, graceful stature of the Kuyumdzhieva House, today the Regional Ethnographic Museum Plovdiv.
To the north, the foundations of the defensive fortress wall wind along Nebet Tepe.
To the south, it flows into the foundations of the oldest temple in Plovdiv - "St. St. Constantine and Helena", dating back to the 4th century AD, and rather the small monastery complex in the courtyard of the temple (just behind the high stone walls in the above photo moment), known as the Bozhigrobski Metoh - a representation of the Jerusalem Patriarchate and more specifically the Monastery of the Holy Sepulchre (Holy Sepulchre) in Jerusalem, where a quadrangular defensive tower was discovered, used in the early years as an ossuary.
Nearby today, the remains of a round defensive fortress tower from the 5th - 6th century - the time of Emperor Justinian can still be seen.
The area around Hissar Kapiya is extremely picturesque and brings a feeling of time travel.
The cobblestone streets, high walls and overhanging houses create a unique atmosphere.
Walking here, I seem to hear the clatter of horses' hooves, the metallic noise of the clash of Roman armor and weapons, and the stone, below and around me, sings songs of ancient times.
Hissar Kapiya has been declared a folk antiquity and an archaeological monument of culture with a category of national importance.
Access to Hissar Kapiya for visitors is unlimited and no entrance fee is required.
I will end my story today, inspired and in love with Plovdiv adventurers, with this image of King Philip II of Macedon, which I found for you on a monument located at the foot of the northeastern part of the Three Hills.
This monument is dedicated to the founding of Philipopolis (ancient Plovdiv) by Philip II of Macedon.
Here is what it symbolizes and what can be seen on it:
Philip II of Macedon: the relief depicts a male figure, which is probably a stylized image of Philip II of Macedon. He is depicted half-reclining, in a heroic pose, which is a common representation of ancient rulers or deities.
Fortress / Fortress: above the figure of Philip II, in the upper part of the circular relief, a stylized image of a defensive fortress or fortress is clearly visible. This directly refers to the founding and strengthening of the city of Philippopolis by Philip II after 341 BC.
Branch: stylized elements emerge from the feet of the figure, which probably symbolize the Hebros River (today Maritsa), the fertility of the land or even the birth of a new life / city. The branch (probably laurel or olive) may be a symbol of victory, peace or new prosperity.
Material and style: the monument appears to be made of concrete or stone in a style typical of the period of modernism or socialist realism, when many such monumental sculptures dedicated to historical events were built in Bulgaria.
Location: this monument is located precisely at the foot of the Three Hills - at the beginning of the steep cobblestone street "Tsanko Lavrenov", leading precisely to Hissar Kapiya and to the place where the foundations of the oldest settlement were and where Philip II built his fortress city of Philippopolis. It is located in the open air, among the remains of the ancient walls and archaeological excavations.
This is one of the key symbols that mark the historical significance of the Three Hills as the cradle of Plovdiv.
Opposite the relief depicting King Philip II of Macedon is the Archaeological Complex of the Eastern Gate of Philippopolis – one of the most recent and impressively restored landmarks of the ancient city.
This is the next chapter of our joint inquisitive Plovdiv walk, on which I most cordially invite you to accompany me!
How to get to the city of Plovdiv?
Imagine a city that has seen thousands of sunrises and sunsets, that has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, and that today proudly stands, telling its thousand-year history!
Welcome to Plovdiv – one of the most ancient cities in Europe!
Plovdiv is one of the best European tourist destinations!
Plovdiv is one of the best destinations for cultural tourism in Europe!
Dear travelers, get ready!
We will head to an extraordinary place where history is not just a series of dates, but if you reach out, you will touch it!
A place so old that it was born before legends, and so beautiful that it will steal your sleep.
When you step onto the smooth cobblestones of the narrow streets of the Old Town, you can't help but feel the breath of the past.
Every stone here, every house with carved facades, every hidden alley bears the imprint of Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans.
Plovdiv is not just another tourist destination, it is an experience!
It is a place where you can drink your morning coffee in a square where Roman legions once marched!
It is a place where you can get lost among the Ancient Theater, which was a stage for gladiatorial fights and dramatic plays!
It is a place where you can admire the sunset from Nebet Tepe – the hill where it all began millennia ago!
Prepare your senses for a celebration – for the aroma of figs and old wood, for the whisper of centuries-old stones, for the bright colors of the Revival houses, and for the pulse of a city that lives in harmony between antiquity and modernity!
Plovdiv will enchant you, excite you, inspire you and make you fall in love.
Are you ready to immerse yourself in this fabulous reality?
Plovdiv stands on:
161 kilometers (about 2 hours and 6 minutes by car) from the capital
376 kilometers (about 4 hours and 14 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
254 kilometers (about 2 hours and 24 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
How to get to Hisar Kapiya?
Hisar Kapiya is located next to the Church of St. Constantine and Helena, the Georgiadi House, today the Regional Historical Museum Plovdiv, and the Kuyumdzhi House, today the Regional Ethnographic Museum Plovdiv.
And finally, my dear friends,
you shouldn't miss checking out
the special photo album with moments –
discovered, experienced, filmed and shared with you!
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