One of the most beautiful flowers - rose, is a well known symbol of Bulgaria. On this tour we will explore where the most famous rose oil in the world is being produced. Bulgaria produces the best rose oil since 1664 when the first rose bushes were imported from Syria via Ottoman Turkey and today manufactures about 70% of all rose oil in the world. The Kazanlak rose (from the family of the Damask roses) is being grown in the Rose Valley in Central Bulgaria where the unique climate conditions and soils are perfect for this amazing plant.
We will visit the Valley of the Thracian Kings. The ancient Thracians were a group of Indo-European tribes inhabiting a large area in South-eastern Europe between the 3rd millennium B. C. and 6th century A.D. On the territory of Bulgaria you can find a lot of impressive Thracian tombs, temples and sanctuaries with lots of golden, silver and bronze craftsman masterpieces inside them.
When we arrive to the center of Kazanlak town, we will visit the local Museum of history Iskra with more than 50 000 original exponents. The museum protects, examines and popularized the entire rich historical heritage of the Kazanlak region, including all Thracian tombs and treasures from the Valley of the Thracian rulers.
Then we will go to the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak which is on the UNESCO's World Heritage Site list. It attracts a lot of visitors with its unique frescoes from 4th century B.C. The tomb consists of a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber with the glorious paintings on the cupola. The Thracian tomb of Kazanlak is a unique aesthetic and artistic work, a masterpiece of the Thracian creative spirit and it's the only one of its kind in the world. The exceptionally well preserved frescoes and the original condition of the structure reveal the remarkable evolution and high level of culture and pictorial art in Hellenistic Thrace. The original Kazanlak tomb is closed for tourists in order to preserve the very valuable frescoes inside.
You will also have the opportunity to discover the Thracian Tomb Golyama Kosmatka - one of the largest mounds ever found on the Balkan Peninsula, dating from the end of 5th century B.C. In the tomb were found about 20 gold objects: a very precisely made golden wreath from oak leaves, a golden wine cup, golden heads of a goddess and a deer etc. The most ancient object ever found in a Thracian grave is a silver shell with golden decoration. Also there was found a bronze man’s head. All findings are exhibited in the historical museum of Kazanlak.
At the end of the tour we will visit the Shipka Memorial Church which is an outstanding Russian Orthodox temple built between 1885 and 1902 near Shipka town at the foothills of the Balkan Range. The Shipka Monument complex is dedicated to the Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian soldiers who died for the liberation of Bulgaria in the Russo – Turkish War from 1877-78. Shipka Memorial Church which is an outstanding Russian Orthodox temple built between 1885 and 1902 near Shipka town at the foothills of the Balkan Range. The Shipka Monument complex is dedicated to the Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian soldiers who died for the liberation of Bulgaria in the Russo – Turkish War from 1877-78.