Nova Zagora is well suited to a trip shaped by archaeological history and landscape: the Historical Museum displays finds and collections, while burial mounds, cultural sites and waterscapes are spread across the municipality. When planning your accommodation, it helps to distinguish between a visit to Nova Zagora and excursions to places elsewhere in the municipality.
Getting there and finding your way
Nova Zagora has both a bus station and a railway station. At the railway station, travellers can get passenger information and buy tickets. Check transport services and opening hours before you travel. The municipality’s main road connections include Route II-66 between Stara Zagora, Nova Zagora and the direction of Burgas, as well as Route II-55 between Gurkovo, Nova Zagora and Svilengrad. Traffic and roadworks can change; check the latest conditions before setting out.
Museum and archaeological history
The Historical Museum was founded in 1921 by the Zagorie archaeological society and history teacher Nikola Stefanov Koychev. Its first archaeological exhibition opened in 1926. The collection includes more than 40,000 objects; this figure may change as cataloguing progresses. The main collections include archaeological and numismatic finds, historical documents and photographs, and ethnographic and palaeontological material. Archaeology is also a defining part of the municipality beyond the museum: prehistoric and ancient settlement mounds, burial mounds, fortresses and settlements are regularly researched there.
The Karanovo settlement mound covers 24 decares and is considered one of the oldest in Europe. Its cultural layers extend from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age; the site was inhabited for approximately 3,000 years. An exhibition of Thracian chariots is considered unique in Bulgaria. Other cultural sites in the municipality include the Zlata burial mound, with chariots and horses; the Byzantine fortress near Banya; the Karanovo and Dyadovo settlement mounds; Dipsizka Hill near Ezero; and St George’s Church in Lyubenova Mahala. A church in Lyubenova Mahala is designated a cultural monument. Access conditions may vary by site; check them before planning a visit.
Landscape and trails
In the north of the municipality, approximately 13 to 14 kilometres of the Tundzha River flow through the Mezhdenishki Gorge. The Zhrebychevo Reservoir also partly lies within the municipal landscape: its lower third is inside the municipality. The lake covers more than 25,000 decares between Sredna Gora and the Balkan Mountains and is associated with fishing and various water sports. Annual sport fishing and canoe-kayak competitions are held there. Check water and safety conditions, as well as event dates, locally or before travelling.
Two routes of different lengths are available for planning a hike: an eco-trail connects Korten, Tsenino and the Pamukova Fountain; the stated duration is two and a half hours. Another, five-hour round trip leads from Korten via Sudiysko Pole to the St Constantine and Helena Chapel above Nau chene. The time estimates help you compare the scope of the two hikes. Check trail conditions and signage locally.
Folklore, wine-growing and mineral water
Cultural life is also spread across several places. Korten hosts national amateur theatre festivals and a regional choir showcase; Konyovo hosts the regional Gergyovden Folklore Festival. Elenovo holds an Easter folklore gathering and the Mincho Nedialkov competition. Traditional celebrations also include the wheat fertility festival in Pet Mogili and the ethnographic arrow-shooting custom at Sirni Zagovezni. Check the specific dates and editions before travelling.
Wine-growing is considered a traditional activity in the municipality. Along with Sliven, Nova Zagora is classified as part of the southern wine-growing region of the Thracian Plain. Those wishing to include mineral water and spa resorts in their travel plans will find two separately described options: Banya is a balneological resort in the Tundzha Valley, approximately 15 kilometres north of Nova Zagora. Check facilities and treatments in advance. The mineral water at the Korten mineral baths is reported to be 57°C, with a total mineralisation of 1 g/l; access and facilities may change.
Discover more destinations: Sadievo, Lyubenova mahala, Sliven, Kotel.
For the broader travel overview: Sliven Province.
