Kazanlak - The Valley of the Thracian Kings, the Rose Valley and the Russian Memorial Church

The Thracians are local tribes who ruled over these lands for millennia - from nearly 2600 BC to the 2-3rd century AD. Divided into more than 90 tribes, the Thracians achieved enviable skills and knowledge in the field of astronomy, mathematics, architecture. Their life and customs are described by Herodotus, and Homer mentions them in the Iliad on the side of the Trojans.

The tomb is located on the natural hill in the city and was discovered quite by accident in 1944. by a group of soldiers digging defensive trenches. When they managed to get inside they were amazed by what they saw. Amazing drawings and figures of young men leading beautiful horses, women playing unfamiliar instruments, and in the middle the man and woman holding hands, although they promise to be together in this life and the afterlife. The soldiers immediately called the director of the local historical museum, who, upon entering and seeing the wonderful wall paintings, confirmed that it was an ancient tomb.

The tomb owes its fame to its wall paintings, which are considered some of the best in the ancient world. The unknown author used only 4 primary colors to create all the wealth of figures of people, animals and objects.

After that, the Kazanlak Tomb will also visit the regional historical museum, which has artifacts from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic, the Thracian era, the Roman period and the Middle Ages.

The next destination will be the one-of-a-kind rose museum, which is located in a beautiful park with rose plantations. In the museum, you can follow the history of the production of the famous rose oil from the Damascena rose, which the Ottomans brought from Syria in the 16th century.

About 50 types of oil-bearing roses are known in the world, and the best oil is obtained from the Bulgarian rose - Damascena. The price of one gram of this oil often exceeds the price of gold.

The excursion will continue with a visit to perhaps the most impressive Thracian tomb in Bulgaria, which is dedicated to the Thracian king - Sevtus the Third. It is printed with its dimensions as representing a tomb temple, which was subsequently transformed into a tomb with a length of 26 meters. It is also one of the few tombs that were found unlooted.

Finally, we will visit the wonderful Russian memorial church - Nativity of Christ. It was built in memory of the heroic battle in August 1878 between the Russian troops, supported by the Bulgarian insurgents, and the Ottoman army. The church impresses with a wealth of colors, arches, the bell tower with its 52 meters height and bells made from the remains of weapons collected from the battlefield.

Why Choose This Tour?

• A mix of history, culture, and nature: Perfect for heritage enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

• Expert guidance: A professional guide will enrich your visit with fascinating insights.

Practical Information:

• Start time: 9:00 AM from Plovdiv.

• Return: Around 18:00 PM.

• Price: Includes transportation, guided services, and entrance fees.

• Booking: Contact us at [email protected]

Discover the magic of the Thracians’s rich heritage, the production of rose oil and history in just one day! Book your spot today.

Route of the trip – Plovdiv Kazanlak- Shipka Memorial Church - Plovdiv, approximately 110 km in one direction.

Duration of the tour – about 8 hours,

The price includes:

Pickup from hotel or address in Plovdiv

Transportation in both directions.

Tour guide and driver, and for groups of more than 8 people there is a separate driver and tour guide.

The price does not include:

personal expenses

Lunch in a restaurant