Stara Zagora

Stara Zagora is an old city, situated at the foot of the Sredna Gora mountains. The Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency says Stara Zagora is a "city of straight streets, lime trees and poets". Stara Zagora is located in South Bulgaria, in the Upper Tracian Valley, at the crossroads of the routes from Plovdiv to the Black Sea and from the Danube to the Aegean.

The climate is temperately continental, with some elements of Mediterranean influence and an average annual temperature of 12.8 degrees Centigrade. The municipality enjoys short, mild winters and dry, warm summers. Soils are maroon in the hilly area and mostly black-earth in the meadows.

Natural subterranean mineral water springs are found 14 kilometers from Stara Zagora in the picturesque Sredna Gora Valley where the Stara Zagora mineral baths are located. Water capacity is 20 litters per second and the surface temperature is 42 degrees C. This water is beneficial in the healing of neurological, gynecological, kidney and intestinal ailments. The clear fresh mountain air and agreeable climate is conducive to treatment for respiratory illness as well as general revitalization. These subterranean waters are rich in minerals and taste providing the potential investor with opportunities for successful bottling and exporting and an avenue for tourism.

The Stara Zagora Region, located at the crossroads of multiple civilizations, has a particular glow coming out of its past - hidden in the depth of millennia. Inhabited by Thracians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Slavs, Ottomans, and Bulgarians, this antique land bears the immortal historical testimony of its past civilizations. Stara Zagora's Neolithic dwellings (the earliest traces of human activity in Europe from the 7th - 6th millennium BC); the Karasura archaeological excavations near Chirpan; the ruins of the ancient Roman Forum at the center of Stara Zagora, and the Thracian tomb in Kazanlak are among its countless historical treasures. Stara Zagora lies at the foothills of the Sarnena Sredna Gora Mountains. It is an academic center with a highly-developed agricultural academia. An ancient Thrachian tomb with valuable wall paintings has been exposed in Kazanlak which is situated north of Stara Zagora. The nearby "Valley of the Roses" is magically transformed with breathtaking blooms in May and early June each year when "The Festival of Roses" is celebrated. The capital of the rose growing region is Kazanlak where rose picking rituals and folklore displays are presented. The Museum of the Rose Industry is also located in Kazanlak . Kazanluk is the center of the production and distillation of the famous rose from whose petals essential rose oil is derived. That is why the valley is called "The Valley of Roses".

The town of Stara Zagora has been burned to the ground and raised from ashes in a number of devastating fires. Less than 150 years ago, it was resurrected from ruins. Stone by stone and brick by brick, it was rebuilt. It has entered the modern era as an important cultural center and as a vital thriving community with tree-lined streets, lively cafes and beautiful parks.

The Stara Zagora Region has a cultural tradition with an impressive number of talented poets, writers, artists, musicians, and actors. Stara Zagora's National Opera Theater, founded in 1928, is the first provincial opera company in Bulgaria and continues to provide world class operas. The Geo Milev Drama Theater presents outstanding classical theatrical productions. The State Puppet Theater has toured Europe and the Middle East performing with excellence.

Numerous cultural events take place throughout the year - the Festivals of the Opera and Ballet Arts, of the Old City Song, of the Children's Song, Thrace Sings and Dance Festival; and the St. Lazar's Days rituals of folk song and dance and many others.

The city's life style offerings include museums, libraries, art galleries, a brass band, cinemas, sport stadiums, an equestrian training center, Roman ruins, and many lovely parks. Eternally green, the AYAZMOTO PARK dominates the northern section of the city with 939 acres of exotic trees, an astronomy observatory, a zoo, children's playgrounds, a sports complex and an open-air theater, where the National Festival of Gypsy Music and Songs is held each summer. It is a popular weekend gathering place.

Berketska mound

Just southwest of the city of Stara Zagora lies the ruins of the largest prehistoric settlement found in Bulgaria dating back to the early Neolithic age - from the 6th millenium BC to the 12th century AD. Bereketska Mound is 17 meters high and has a diameter, at its foundation, of 250 meters. A necropolis (burial ground) dating from the early bronze epoch, 3rd millenium BC, is found east of the mound.

Neolithic dwelings

Remains of two houses from a settlement of the Neolithic age, dating from the 6th millenium BC, in Stara Zagora are considered the best preserved from this early time uncovered, to date, on the European continent. Witness the preserved ovens, grain storage pots, primitive mill for grinding grain, pottery, tools, etc. A museum exhibiting pottery, jewelry, tools, etc. from the numerous archeological excavations in the Stara Zagora region is located on the lower level.

Forum of the antique town Augusta Triana

This antique forum, a semi-circular gathering place, with the preserved pedestal for the statue of the Roman emperor Tryan, is one of the most monumental public facilities from the Roman town of Augusta Triana. An amphitheater/auditorium consisting of nine rows of descending stone seats is found in the northern portion of the area. The upper part of the amphitheater is crowned with an arched colonnade. A facade of the town's thermal baths, built in the middle of the 2nd century AD, was discovered directly behind the auditorium on an area stretching for 1 3/4 acres. To the west of the forum one can observe the fortress-like walls of the ancient town. The inside wall was built at the end of the 2nd century and rebuilt, with increased thickness, in the 4th century. The outside wall was built at the end of the 5th century. An antique city-center east-west street, with ridges from chariot traffic, crosses the stone open space and ends at the western gate of the town. The gate is 4.2 meters wide and has three doors- two that raise up and down and one two-winged.

South gate of Augusta Triana

Exhibited in the lower level of an administrative building at 38 Ruskie Street, in a fortified section of the walls, are the remains of the entrance gate to the ancient town of Augusta Triana. This structure indicates that the gate was a square building measuring 64 square meters. Above the gate there was a two-story tower.

19th century urban house museum

This house, built in 1883 by a master builder from Debar for the family of a Stara Zagora merchant, is located in the city center at 68 Dimitir Naumov Street in Stara Zagora. This late type symmetric style house, without portico, is typical of the times. Inside the house is an exhibition reflecting the lifestyle of Stara Zagora's citizens towards the end of the 19th century. Traditional locally made pieces and belongings are intermingled with imported pieces- bedroom furniture from Vienna, upholstered pieces and a teakettle, for the center of the table, from Russia. The clothing exhibition is typical of the time.

The valley of kings

Located in the area around the town of Kazanluk is the Valley of Kings where you will find the Kazanluk Tomb from 3rd century BC, the Thracian Mausoleum at Ostrysha Mound from 4th & 3rd Century BC and the Thracian Tomb of Helvacius, Kolons & Griffins from 4th & 3rd Century BC.