Location: Kazanlak
Top Things to do in Kazanlak
10 Things to Do in Kazanlak That You Shouldn't Miss
Kazanlak (Bulgarian: Казанлъ̀к, Kazanlǎk, Thracian and Greek Σευθόπολις (Seuthopolis) is a Bulgarian town in Stara Zagora Province, located in the middle of the plain of the same name, at the foot of the Balkan mountain range, at the eastern end of the Rose Valley. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Kazanlak Municipality.
Restaurants in Kazanlak
1. Buzludzha Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By pukeko1 - Sydney, Australia
We visited the exterior only as we were traveling with an infant. In early November we were the only people there (one other car arrived as we left) and it was cold. Huge icicles hung from the building and occasionally fell - watch out. Although we didn't enter, we saw the opening to get into the basement via a rope into the darkness. We saw no signs of security monitoring.
We arrived from the north and left to the south. The southern access road is MUCH better, but the northern one is passable without a 4WD despite advice from another reviewer. Having said that, I'd be reluctant to drive the northern road if it were covered in snow, there are thousands of potholes and they'd be hard to see in that case.
This site isn't for everyone, but we found it hugely atmospheric and the views from the top of the hill are great. Very glad we took the detour!
2. National Park-Museum Shipka-Buzluzha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By DOBCHO - Varna, Bulgaria
Shipka peak is located 22 km away from the town of Gabrovo and is easily accessible by car or bus. It is a unique historical and architectural reserve that combines the beautiful Balkan mountain scenery and historical monuments related to the important events of Russian Turkish war 1877 – 1878 and the liberation of Bulgaria from the Turkish slavery. If you arrive by car, continue up to the parking lot at the foot of the monument to save your climb on thousands of stairs. The outcome of the Shipka -Sheinovo battle was the breaking point and crucial for the prevention of Turkish influx from South to North. 7500 Russian and Bulgarian soldiers fought and defeated 37000 Turkish troops back in August 1877 and continued to defend the Shipka pass in the cold through the winter. The monument was built and opened back in 1934 with donations from the entire Bulgarian nation. Above the central entrance you will see a bronze lion - a symbol of the Bulgarian statehood. The other three sides have the names of Shipka, Sheinovo and Stara Zagora - the Battlefields reminiscent of the feats of Bulgarian volunteers. I would highly recommend entering and visiting the interior of the monument for which you have to pay a 3 Lv per person or family fee of 6 Lv only. On the ground floor, beneath a marble sarcophagus placed on four lying lions, the bones of Shipka's defeated heroes are kept. In front of the sarcophagus, the stone figures of a Russian warrior and a Bulgarian soldier have ceased to be an eternal guard. The exposition, located on the other seven floors of the monument, reveals the heroism of Russians and Bulgarians during the five-month defensive passage and the Panorama view from the top Terrace is stunning.
3. Shipka Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By johnmR5726OU
The Shipka Memorial commemorates the victory of an out numbered Bulgarian force over the superior equipped Ottoman forces. In the US we would liken it to the battle at Gettysburg, a 3 day battle with the Bulgarian volunteers withstanding attacks, bending but not breaking. The view from the monument overlooks the Valley of Kings, absolutely beautiful. The museum exhibits inside the Memorial are excellent.
4. Iskra Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Iskra Museum - founded in 1901, is among the oldest regional museums. More than 50 000 original exponents are kept there. They present the material and spiritual culture of the region. Represents the historical heritage of the region, including all Thracian tombs from the Valley of Thracian kings. Permanent expositions - Archaeology, Revival, New History, Etnography and Newest History.
Reviewed By aymats - Berlin, Germany
This museum situates between city center and Thrakian tomb. It's possible to see both museum and art gallery. The museum has so many treasures from ancient age, they also have Bugarian traditional stuffs like costumes, accessories. When I visited this museum, taking pictures was allowed but not allowed at gallery.
5. Shipchenski monastery (St Nikolay)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By morewierd - Boulder, Colorado
From Plovdiv we diverted a bit on our way to Veliko Tarnarvo and found the the road to Shipka.
A definite WOW! The Russian influence was evident......the golden domes were amazing.....the interior frescoes were fascinating and the grounds were lovely. A truly fabulous setting.
AND it wasn't even innundated w/tour buses or school groups.
Don't miss Shipka!
6. Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
Bulgaria's famous Rose Valley covers also most of the 'Valley of Thracian Kings'. Several tumuli can be seen, when driving through, all spread out in the fields. Here several Thracian rulers had been buried, in the surroundings of Seuthopolis, the capital of the so-called Odrysian Kingdom.
The most famous of these tombs - due to its well preserved frescoes from the early Hellenistic period (4th c. AD) - is the one found by accident during WW II near the modern town of Kazanlak. Because the wall paintings are susceptible to humidity, for example from human breath, the whole tomb was closed for visitors (except for the occasional scientist) and a copy of the whole tomb and its decoration had been constructed nearby.
It is not possible to judge the quality of the copied paintings without knowing the original, but for me they were satisfying and I enjoyed the visit. Luckily I was alone, when there in mid-September, because the place is small - for maximum 4 persons at a time.
Through a narrow corridor, also with paintings, one comes to the domed main chamber with superbly executed frescoes of horses and humans. No wonder that the 'Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak' became one of the first places worldwide to be declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
The copy of the tomb is open daily between 9am to 5.30pm. Entrance fee is 6 BGN. There is a good little brochure available - in Bulgarian, English and German. Photography without flash is allowed.
7. Rozhdestvo Hristovo Temple
Overall Ratings
5 based on 39 reviews
The Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ, nown as Shipka Monastery is a Bulgarian Orthodox church built near the town of Shipka between 1885 and 1902 to Antoniy Tomishko's design in the 17-century Muscovite style. It is, together with the other parts of the Shipka Monument, dedicated to the soldiers that died for the liberation of Bulgaria in the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78.
Reviewed By CharlesSeems - Ottawa, Canada
This is what beautiful and thoughtful architecture can look like. Stunning exterior and interior highlighting the Russian style of church building.
Built to commemorate the Russian soldiers who bravely fought against the men from the Ottaman Empire.
This is a wonderful tribute to Bulgarians soldiers and is a much loved monastery by all countrymen and women.
A must see...
8. EnmarBg - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By 430Addda - Turnov
To be frank we didn´t have any high expectation from this destination, a little bit like to fulfil somehow the time on the way to Istanbul. However we were quite suprised about friendly atmosphere, interesting places and very professional service. Nice place to visit.
9. Museum of Roses
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 67 reviews
The Museum of Roses was founded in 1984 with the help of the city's Museum of History. The exposition includes original photographs, documents and interesting items related to the rose production - the oldest Bulgarian industry. There is a display of tools used to cultivate the rose Gardens, along with vessels used to store and transport rose oil. In the yard one can find authentic installations for producing rose oil from both the 19th and the 20th century.
Reviewed By Emira T - Tunis, Tunisia
Explanations are provided in Bulgarian and English. You definitely learn a lot about the rose culture in Bulgaria but you don't see much of it. There are several interesting displays of items relevant to the rose and its extract which are well presented.
If you are genuinely interested in the subject, you might be a little disappointed. We would have enjoyed seeing presentations or billboards or a map showing the various types of roses in the world and their specificities. We would have appreciated computers with applications providing questions and answers on roses - it helps children and adults learn in a fun way and remember. We would have also expected to have the opportunity to smell samples of rose essence?
The souvenir shop being at the heart of a museum dedicated to the Rose not to mention in Kazanlak, has very little to offer. It basically has less variety and creativity in its products than you'd find in the rose shops across the country. Thought the museum' shop would have some exclusivity or some authentic/certified rose products but as of May 2017, it is not yet the case. Anyway, I still encourage visiting the museum.
Ticket is at 6Lv per adult.
10. Tomb of Seuthes III
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Bluesphynx - Singapore
Completely took my breath away from the moment I saw the imposing bust of this curly-haired ruler in front of the actual tomb, everything original and carefully preserved by scaffolding and air-conditioning. The splash of blood where his beloved horse was sacrificed and burnt is observable on the left hand side as you enter and the silver crown of laurel leaves and gold coins are displayed behind glass. The grandeur and status of this personage is felt through the honour of such a burial, so fortunate that the tomb wasn't robbed.
Explanations in English are posted at the entrance and details given.
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