Discover Stara Zagora through its archaeological layers: the ancient forum complex lies in the city center, while museums display finds and evidence ranging from the Neolithic period to recent history. Starozagorski bani adds a Roman bath complex, a rock formation, and an annual folklore festival to this profile. Together, the city and spa town offer different focal points for planning your trip.
Finding your way between the city, the plain, and the spa town
The municipality of Stara Zagora is located in the Srednogorie region. It includes the eastern part of the Upper Thracian Plain and, in particular, the Sazliyka Basin. The land slopes gently to the southeast; flat, gently rolling river lowlands shape the terrain. Elevations in this region range from 100 to 300 meters. Starozagorski bani, a balneological spa resort, lies 12 kilometers northwest of Stara Zagora, in the southern, forested foothills of the Sarnena Mountains, part of the Sredna Gora range.
Archaeology from the Neolithic period to antiquity
The Regional Historical Museum of Stara Zagora covers a period from the 6th millennium BC to the recent past. Its permanent exhibition opened on March 3, 2009, spans three levels, and displays more than 1,700 artifacts. The museum also holds around 100,000 movable cultural objects dating from prehistory to the present. The exhibition and the collection as a whole offer two different perspectives on the museum's subject matter.
The “Neolithic Dwellings” Museum displays the remains of a dwelling from the early 6th millennium BC, among the best-preserved of their kind in Europe. The permanent exhibition includes ceramic vessels and figurines, jewelry, tools, and human figures made of marble. Alongside the broader collections, it also brings a specific early period of settlement history into focus.
A later period in the city's history can be seen at the ancient forum complex of Augusta Traiana. The site, covering around seven decares, includes a stone-paved square with a statue base, an amphitheater for more than 1,300 spectators, baths, fortification walls, the West Gate, and part of the ancient main commercial street, the decumanus maximus. The complex is located in the center of Stara Zagora. It serves as a venue for performances, concerts, and other events; visitors can stroll along the authentic ancient street.
Starozagorski bani: Baths and folklore
A Roman bath complex dating from the imperial period was excavated in Starozagorski bani between 1965 and 1967. It covers 2,500 square meters and has twelve rooms: three pools for lukewarm, hot, and cold water, two changing rooms, a vestibule, and a large hall, the nymphaeum. The complex was built in the 2nd century during the reigns of Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Ulpius Hieronymus, high priest of Augusta Traiana and guardian of the imperial cult, is named as its builder; the baths remained in use until the 12th century.
The rock formation Bogorodichna Stapka is also part of the local landscape; its shape resembles a human footprint. The water in the formation never dries up. Every August, the National Thracian Folklore Festival “Bogorodichna Stapka” is held at the spa resort. More than 2,000 performers from all the folklore regions of Bulgaria take part, including singing groups, dance ensembles, groups presenting traditional customs, orchestras, and solo performers. If you want the festival to determine your travel dates, check the program for the relevant year.
Getting there and choosing where to stay
The Trakia motorway and national roads I-5 and II-66 pass through the municipality. The Trakia lies ten kilometers south of Stara Zagora and is designated European route E-80. The I-5 connects Ruse and Svilengrad and is classified as E-85; the II-66 runs between Sofia and Burgas. The railway is another useful point of reference: three main lines in the Bulgarian railway network intersect at Stara Zagora station.
You can tailor your search to the place whose history and attractions interest you most.
Discover more destinations: Bogomilovo, Starozagorski bani, Radnevo, Gurkovo, Maglizh, Pavel Banya, Kazanlak, Chirpan.
See the broader travel overview: Stara Zagora Province.
