Stara Zagora Province brings together the southern slopes of the Balkan Mountains, the wooded Kazanlak Basin and Sarnena Gora with the Stara Zagora Plain. Cultural discoveries in Stara Zagora range from traces of early settlements to evidence from various eras. Kazanlak combines Thracian tomb art with the culture of the oil-bearing rose; Pavel Banya and Yagoda add hot mineral springs to the region’s character.
A long history in Stara Zagora
The Museum of Neolithic Dwellings in Stara Zagora preserves in situ one of the best-preserved two-storey houses from the Early Neolithic period in Europe. Its permanent exhibition includes pottery, figurines, jewellery, tools and human marble statues, among other items. A museum exhibition offers further insight into the city’s history, spanning the Early Neolithic, Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Bulgarian National Revival through to post-war reconstruction.
The Museum of Religions presents remains from different periods and faiths: from a cult pit dating to the Early Iron Age and a sanctuary of the Thracian Horseman to a medieval Christian cemetery church and a Muslim temple. At the forum of Augusta Traiana, the features described include the West Gate, two phases of the fortification walls, a stone square with an amphitheatre and Roman baths. The baths had hypocaust heating, an ancient heating system. Visitors can stroll along the authentic ancient street. The forum also serves as a venue for performances and concerts; the specific programme may vary.
Thracian traces and rose culture in Kazanlak
The Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak dates to the Hellenistic period. Its wall paintings depict Thracian burial rituals and culture; they are considered Bulgaria’s best-preserved artistic masterpieces from this era. The Iskra Historical Museum in Kazanlak offers another perspective on the area: its collection comprises almost 100,000 original artefacts relating to the material and spiritual culture of the Kazanlak region.
Around 1,500 Thracian burial mounds have been registered in the Kazanlak Valley. About 150 have been excavated, and approximately 15 well-preserved underground tomb temples have been identified. In the Valley of Roses and along the “Thracian Kings” cultural route, rose gardens and rose oil production meet Thracian heritage and archaeology. The Rose Museum in Kazanlak is considered the only museum in the world dedicated to the oil-bearing rose. More than 15,000 exhibits explore rose picking and production in Bulgaria. The museum shop offers rose jam, rose liqueur and aromatic oils, among other products; the selection may change. The Rose Festival programme includes picking and distillation rituals, a parade and an international folklore festival. Individual editions may feature different programme items.
Mineral water and outdoor trails
Pavel Banya lies between the Balkan Mountains and Sredna Gora, near the Koprinka Reservoir and the Tundzha River. The town’s tourism profile includes balneotherapy as well as rural, cultural, ecological and aromatherapy tourism. The mineral water is 61°C and contains fluoride, bicarbonate and sodium ions, as well as colloidal metasilicic acid, radon and hydrogen sulphide. Seek professional advice if you are considering medical use. Yagoda, too, in the foothills of Sarnena Gora, has numerous hot therapeutic mineral springs suitable for treatment or relaxation; medical use should also be professionally supervised here.
Those interested in outdoor activities will find year-round walking and cycling routes of varying duration and difficulty within Stara Zagora Municipality. Low mountain terrain and an extensive road network provide the setting. Conditions on individual routes may change; check them before setting out. Forests cover 32.4 percent of the province and are associated with tourism as well as hunting and fishing.
Getting there by train
Three major Bulgarian railway lines meet in Stara Zagora. They serve routes from Sofia towards Burgas and Varna, as well as from Ruse towards the borders with Greece and Turkey. Timetables and connections may change; check current services before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Stara Zagora, Kazanlak, Shipka, Pavel Banya, Radnevo, Chirpan, Gurkovo, Galabovo, Maglizh, Chirpan, Kazanlak, Stara Zagora, Pavel Banya, Radnevo.
For the broader travel overview: Bulgaria.
