About the region
A walk through the nature that surrounds us and the history that inspires us
Highlights of the Region
The historical and cultural treasures of Kazanlak and the Valley of Roses and Thracian Kings are countless, each more priceless and mysterious than the last.
This is the cradle of the Rose Valley and the famous Rose Festival, a tradition with centuries of history.
Beyond the fame of the roses and the Thracians, the artistic and photographic tradition here remains less known. Казанлък is the city of a hundred artists and the birthplace of prominent figures in art such as Ivan Milev, Dechko Uzunov, Petko Klisurov, Ivan Penkov, Nenko Balkanski and many others. The Kazanlak Art Gallery is one of the oldest and richest galleries in Bulgaria. Next to it is the country’s only Museum of Photography and Visual Arts. The architectural complex also includes the exhibition halls of the “Iskra” Museum.
The “Iskra” Historical Museum is among the oldest, richest and most renowned regional museums in Bulgaria. Its treasury hall displays the latest gold, silver and bronze discoveries from Thracian temple-tombs in the region. These include the unique golden wreath of Sevt III, his helmet and greaves, complete gold and silver horse trappings, as well as a rare collection of coins and other objects from the Thracian era, together with replicas of the Bronze Head of Sevt III and the golden mask of Teres from the “Светицата” mound.
The megalithic complex “The Gate of the Goddess” near Buzovgrad was built around 1600 BC as an ancient astronomical observatory and a ritual cult mystifier of the relationship between the Sun and the Earthly Mother Goddess. The stone blocks are placed so that the sun falls into the “window” at sunset. The Orphic mysteries near the megalith are studied by the most famous Bulgarian Thracologist Prof. Alexander Fol, who wished for his ashes to be scattered through the “Gate of the Goddess”. In 2006, his wife and also a prominent historian-researcher of the Thracians Prof. Valeria Fol did the same. The megalith can be reached along the eco-trail, which offers an exceptional view of the Rose Valley and the Tundzha River from the south. The “Door of the Goddess” megalithic complex near Buzovgrad was built around 1600 BC as an ancient astronomical observatory and ritual cult site symbolizing the relationship between the Sun and the Earth Mother Goddess. The stone blocks are positioned so that the sun enters the “window” at sunset. The Orphic mysteries around the megalith were studied by the renowned Bulgarian Thracologist Prof. Alexander Fall, who wished for his ashes to be scattered through the “Door of the Goddess”. In 2006, his wife, the distinguished historian and Thracian researcher Prof. Valeria Fall, fulfilled his wish. The megalith can be reached via an eco-trail offering an exceptional view of the Rose Valley and the Tundzha river valley from the south.
Trail "Atovo padalo"
The route follows the ridge of Stara Planina eastward and leads to the ascent of Atovo Padalo peak – 1494 m, where an incredible panorama of all the wind turbines opens up. The route follows the ridge of Stara Planina eastward and leads to the ascent of Atovo Padalo peak – 1494 m, where an incredible panorama of all the wind turbines opens up.
Follow the Hadji Dimitar trail, which will take you on an asphalt road to the former sheepfolds. West of them are the ski slopes, which attract hundreds of winter sports enthusiasts every year.
After crossing the sharp bend, you will drive parallel to the national route “Kom – Emine”, and after about 20 minutes you will come out in front of the entrance to the wind farm, where a picturesque view opens up.
Nearby you will see a gazebo where you can take some time to relax and admire nature.
Continue along the winter trail markings, which will lead you to the final point – Atovo padalo peak, where a magnificent panoramic view awaits.
Trail "Katunite"
This trail will take you through the highlands between the crystal blue waters of the Kameshtsita and Malka Reka rivers. You will be able to enjoy some of the grandeur of Buzludzha, and the final point will be the rocky heights of “Katunite” (1284 m above sea level).
When you move along the ridge, you will see a beautiful beech forest that takes you to the Ashta Plain, near Visoka Mogila Peak, and when you reach the white stones, you climb to the east to the “Katuns”.
There, a picturesque panoramic view opens up in all directions. You will see from a bird’s eye view the Rose Valley, Stara Planina, Sredna Gora, the peaks of Bulgarka and Saryar.
If you choose to go along the lower section, you will see the Bulgaria hut, which leads to the Kordana fountain, and there you will enjoy the clear, flowing, icy water.
The beech forest surrounding the trail on both sides provides a shaded and cool hike.
After reaching the Kranj hunters’ shelter, you must cross the Malkata River and with a slight climb you will reach your final point “Katunite”.
"Hadji Dimitar" Trail
Here you will visit historical monuments, climb two peaks, pass by the entrance to the Lednitsata cave and the ski area.
Follow the path and it will take you to the Historical Meadow. The beautiful paths and beech forests will take you to the Buzludzha hut, where you can also see a historical monument to the three partisans from the Gabrovo – Sevliev detachment who died in 1941.
As you enter the forest, you will find yourself in front of the bas-relief pointing to the place where the Bulgarian Socialist Workers’ Party (BSDP) was founded in 1891, and a little further down you will see the monument to Hadji Dimitar and the Chetniks killed in 1868.
Continue your walk along the stone alley, which will lead you to an old macadam road. The ascent of Hadji Dimitar Peak, 1431m high, takes place along the southern trail, passing under the Memorial House and descending to the saddle separating Hadji Dimitar Peak with Buzludzha Peak. From the top, the beauties of the Stara Planina, Gabrovo, Kazanlak and the Balkan ridge open up like a palm tree.
On the way back you will see the Lednitsata cave. From there, on a dirt road you will pass by the ski slopes and the asphalt road leading to the Wind Park. Head south and at the first turn you will enter the forest, which will take you to the hotel.
Monument of Freedom
From the slopes of the Stara Planina to the north, where by the will of Orpheus, the Rose and the spirit of Karadzha you have arrived with us today, you will also hear the Balkans. And its haidushka song. A few steps from us, a monument has been erected to the fallen for the freedom of Bulgaria: Hadji Dimitar, Stefan Karadzha and their chetniks.
The memory of the battles at Shipka, Sheinovo, Stara Zagora and the Liberation are immortalized in the Freedom Monument on Mount Shipka – 6 km from here by direct road. The bones of those who shed their blood for Bulgaria are kept in the gold-domed Cathedral-Monument “Nativity of Christ” in the town of Shipka, where you can light a candle and calm your mind after a walk through the Valley of the Spirit.
And if the feet or the will of the spirits from ancient times to the present day lead you to the central square of Kazanlak, be careful! If you drink water from the Lion’s Fountain, according to legend – your heart and soul will remain here forever!
Kazanlak Thracian Tomb
The Kazanlak Thracian Tomb in the Tyulbeto Park is the first Bulgarian monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Roygos, son of the Thracian king Sevtes III, was buried there. The tomb is unique with its perfectly and realistically made frescoes.
In the Kazanlak Valley, about 1500 Thracian burial mounds have been registered. 150 of them have been excavated and studied, and about 15 are well preserved – unique in their architecture and spatial solution. Most are dated around the 5th-4th centuries BC. In the valley around the town of Shipka, 5 of them have been restored and adapted for visiting: the Tomb of Seuthes III, Ostrusha, Helvetia, the Griffins and Shushmanets.
The tomb-cult complex “Ostrusha” functioned as a temple to the Thracian god of immortality Sabazius for 800 years – from the 4th century BC to the 4th century AD. With its architecture and murals, the tomb ranks among the most remarkable achievements in Thrace and the Valley of the Thracian Rulers.
Rose Valley
Here is the cradle of the Rose Valley and the famous Rose Festival with a centuries-old tradition. In the first week of June, every year Kazanlak chooses among its most beautiful rose buds, the graduating girls – a new flower, Queen Rose.
The festive Rose Picking-Rose Brewing and the largest street carnival in Bulgaria have been famous for decades all over the world. Every year during the holiday, the international Rosé wine festival is also held. Since 2016, the only Rose Museum in the Balkans has been located in a new, modern building in the Rosarium Park.
Tomb of Sevt III
The tomb of Sevt III in the “Golyama Kosmatka” mound is an important testimony to the Thracian Orphic rituals not only on a national but also on a global scale. The magnificent golden crown of the ruler, a golden kylix, knee pads, a helmet with plastic ornamentation, etc. were found in it. The bronze head of the statue of Sevt III, ritually buried in front of the facade, is remarkable, and is unusually spiritual and detailed. At the bottom of the “Koprinka” dam, the ruins of his capital Sevtopolis are buried. The city, studied and described in detail, is displayed in the halls of the museum. Near the dam is Sredna Gora and the village of Buzovgrad, where the most ancient sanctuary of the Valley was discovered.
