Welcome to Stara Zagora - the heart of Thrace! The region around the city of Stara Zagora will amaze you with its rich variety of unsuspected historical and natural landmarks. Every day, within a mere 50 minutes radius, you can visit multiple amazing sights, which most tourists have not discovered yet.
You can download the map of the region here or you can pick up your free copy at the Tourist Information Center in Stara Zagora (27, Ruski Blvd.)
Download tourist map of the surrounding region
The Mineral Baths of Stara Zagora are famous for their healing water, which has been springing from the bowels of the land for centuries. Located in close proximity to the natural phenomenon Bogorodichna stapka and to the oldest copper mines in Europe, the baths offer relaxation amid the picturesque beauty of Thrace’s heart.
The phenomenal Bogorodichna stapka (Holy Mother’s Step) is a holy place related to various pagan religious rites dating thousands of years ago. The legend was born due to the strong bio-energy field of the location and the curious cavity in the rocks resembling a human footprint where the water never dries up.
Open hours: Free Access
Built in the 13th century, this is one of the oldest functioning churches in Bulgaria following the Boyana Church. The Enina Apostole, found in the church, is the oldest Cyrillic manuscript currently a part of the National History Museum collection and the oldest preserved lectionary in Slavonic language.
Open hours: after 17:00 - reservation needed
Contacts: +359 877 592 496
The temple, built with Russian and Bulgarian donations at the initiative of Count Ignatyev and Olga Skobeleva, preserves the remains of more than 9,000 soldiers who perished during the Russo-Turkish War. It is in the style of the 17th c. Russian churches and its bells are made by melted bullet shells gathered from the battlefield
Open hours: every day
01.04 - 31.10 - 8:30 to 19:00
01.11 - 31.03 - 8:30 to 17:00
Contacts: +359 432 42047
Address: Shipka city
This is a shrine of a historical moment whose glory lives on. Shipka tells the story of the most dramatic battles for Bulgaria’s liberation. There are 895 steps leading through that epic heroism to the monument of freedom, which is a must see for all members of your family.
Open hours: every day
01.04 - 31.10 - 9:00 to 19:00
01.11 - 31.03 - 9:00 to 17:00
One of the most impressive examples of Com- munist monumental art attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world. The spectacular Buzludzha Monument is an irresistible challenge with its unusual shape, countless mosaics and symbols of the recent past that are in crumbling ruins.
The Valley of Thracian Rulers is an impressive subterranean constellation of tombs, funeral mounds and monuments of Thracian culture in the region around the town of Kazanlak. Over 1,500 funeral mounds in the Kazanlak Valley reveal the resting place of the Thracian rulers and aristocrats, which we buried with honors. The Kazanlak Tomb dated IV-III c. B.C. is undoubtedly a masterpiece. The biggest Thracian gold discovery and the bronze head of Seuthes III, the ruler of the Odrysian Kingdom, which were discovered in the Golyama Kosmatka mound, became a global archaeological sensation. Among the other tombs are Golyama Arsenalka, Shushmanets, Helvetia, Griffons, Svetitsa and Ostrusha.
01.04 - 31.10 – 9:00 to 17:30
01.11 - 31.03 – 9:00 to 17:00
01.04 - 31.10 – 9:00 to 17:30
01.11 - 31.03 – 9:00 to 17:00
- reservation needed
01.04 - 31.10 – 9:00 to 17:30
01.11 - 31.03 – 9:00 to 17:00
01.04 - 31.10 – 9:00 to 18:30
01.11 - 31.03 – 9:00 to 17:30
- reservation needed
In the heart of the Rose Valley, the Damascena Ethnographic Complex reveals the secrets of rose distillation in the last 350 years. The visitors can test different essential oils, visit the ethnographic exposition of crafts and household items and taste the extraordinarily aromatic quince brandy.
Open hours:
01.04 - 30.09 – 9:00 to 19:30
01.10 - 31.03 – 9:00 to 17:00
Contacts: +359 886 777 681
The mystical shape of the ancient megalithic sanctuary, built 4,000 years ago, resembles a gateway to the divine. By passing through it, the soul may be reborn. The Valley of the Thracian Rulers is clearly visible from the megalith.
Open hours: Free Access
According to the legend, the Monastery was founded by Tsar Kaloyan after he defeated the Crusaders at Maglizh in 1197. The ruler donated the funds for the construction of the temple in order to commemorate his victory. The room where the Apostle of Freedom Vassil Levski used to spend the night and hide has been restored and turned into a museum.
Open hours: every day
8:00 to 18:00
Built in 1895, the Saint Ivan Rilski Church is the only remnant of the Zhrebchevo village that was submerged because of the dam. Nobody dared to destroy the temple and today it is one of the most beautiful and most often photographed locations in Bulgaria.
Open hours: Free Access
Inhabited for more than 3,000 years, the Karanovo mound is considered one of the oldest and most important mounds in Europe. Seven main archeological layers have been identified thanks to detailed research.
Open hours: every day
9:00 to 17:00 - reservation needed
Contacts: +359 885 362 508
Address: Karanovo village
The Eastern Tomb is part of the larger ancient necropolis in the Karanovo village. The oldest Roman times’ Thracian tomb dates back to 1st
c. A.D. The burial of a rich aristocrat reveals an impressive warrior’s chariot made of hides, wood and bronze drawn by two horses and a dog.
Open hours: every day
9:00 to 17:00 - reservation needed
Contacts: +359 885 362 508
Address: Karanovo village
Saint Athanasius himself planted the oak in the Granit village in 345 A.D. Estimated to be about 1,700 years old, the tree is older than Byzantium and almost 24 meters high. It has been withering during the last 20 years; however, over time, it has proven its ability to self-regenerate.
Open hours: Free Access
A creature’s tooth found near Chirpan corrob- orates the theory that the pre-historic humans originated on the Balkans and subsequently set out to Africa. Scientists from three international laboratories in France, Canada and Germany es- tablished that the tooth is more than 7.25 million years old.
Open hours: Thursday - Sunday
10:00 to 18:00
Contacts: +359 886 050 774
Address: 4 Janko Ivanov str.
Founded in 343 A.D. by Saint Athanasius of Alexandria himself, the Monastery was built close to a Thracian sanctuary. A small cave, located in the rocks next to the Monastery, is believed to have been the Saint’s hermitage. In the courtyard, there is a water spring with healing powers.
Open hours: every day
07:00 to 18:00
The Alexandrovo Tomb dates IV c. B.C. and is one of the most fascinating Thracian monuments. The Museum preserves a golden treasure from the period of the world’s oldest processed gold: that of the Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis. The museum was built thanks to Japanese donations.
Open hours: Tuesday - Sunday
01.04 - 30.09 – 8:00 to 18:00
01.10 - 31.03 – 9:00 to 17:00
Contacts: +359 38 666 444
The Midalidare Complex in Mogilovo village is where beautiful nature meets excellent wine. One of the most appealing wine tourism destinations in the country boasts two cellars, which produce limited series with a pronounced character. The exclusive wine tour “On the Wine Road” explains in details the elixir’s making process while the Wine Museum offers an opportunity to taste 8 different wines from Enomatic /wine dispenser/. Make sure you stop by the nearby wine treasure troves: the Edoardo Miroglio Winery, Angel’s Estate S.A., Chateau Hotel Trendafiloff, Domaine Boyar’s winery ‘Sinite Skali’ and Chateau ‘Windy Hills.
phone: +359 886 655 721
phone: +359 896 733 251
phone: +359 889 000 030
phone: +359 886 467 444
phone: +359 884 246 619
