Situated in the world heritage site of the Casbah old town, the Ketchaoua Mosque was built in the 17th century in a unique combination of Moorish and Byzantine styles. The magnificent architecture of this building has made it to become one of the most visited sights in the city.

We Are All Colors 11 – 13 January 2019 Tobacco City, Kapana – Creative District, The Main Pedestrian Street, Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd., The Ancient Theater Opening of Plovdiv European Capital of Culture 2019 WE ARE MOST THRILLED TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THE ECOC 2019 WITH THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND MOMENTOUS HIGHLIGHT IN ITS PROGRAMME – THE ‘WE ARE ALL COLORS’ SHOW. Over the course of an extended weekend a series of events will take place at various in- and outdoor spaces across the city. Its peak will be on Saturday, 12 January. The very heart of Plovdiv will welcome the ceremony. The show, combining music, light and dance, will give the key to the whole year ahead and to the basic concept of the European Capital of Culture project, in which the citizens themselves are not only audiences and actors, but also creators of events. More than 1500 participants from Bulgaria and abroad will recreate on the open stage a large and colorful metaphor of all the main themes of the programme ‘Plovdiv 2019’ and their relationships under the motto ‘Together’. The ECOC opening event is produced by the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation in partnership with international organizations, the major cultural institutions in Plovdiv, Plovdiv Municipality, artists and performers from Bulgaria and abroad. The concept of the event is created by the German artistic network phase7 performing.arts Berlin, artistic director Sven Sören Beyer. The opening weekend programme is made jointly with partner organizations from Plovdiv and Bulgaria.

Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion, was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century, and Penang Straits Settlement imported artisans from China to build this opulent 38-room mansion. With its five courtyards, carved woodwork, Gothic louvered windows and cast iron, the mansion is a fascinating fusion of East and West culture. The building was restored at a cost of 7.6 million ringgit, and it is crammed with sculptures, antique furniture and tapestries, while now being a unique boutique hotel. However, it is also open for non-residents during guided tours, so book one ahead.