City: Stara Zagora Province
Top Things to do in Stara Zagora Province
Top Restaurants in Stara Zagora Province
What to do and see in Stara Zagora Province, Bulgaria: The Best Places and Tips
Stara Zagora Province in Bulgaria, from Europe region, is best know for Monuments & Statues. Discover best things to do in Stara Zagora Province with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Stara Zagora Province
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. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. 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...
6. Antique Forum Augusta Trayana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Slavena T
As a citizen of Stara Zagora, I often don't know where to go with my friends. And I always come up with this place. You can feel the historical atmosphere alongside with the breeze, which makes this place pretty attractive for cozy evenings with friends.
However, if you're not a local, you can hardly understand something about this place since there are no signs or information. But there is an organisation which aims at introducing our town's amazing history to foreigners, but as far as I know, you should go to the Tourist Information Centre to see how to book the tour - it's free, you should know that.
7. Regional Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Sorin D - Bucharest (Romania)
The Regional Museum of History from Stara Zagora is now situated in a new large, beautiful building with an original architecture. The presentation of the artifacts is convenient. You are surprised to find out some of the old and rich history of Bulgaria. There are many objects from the Roman era and as a curiosity is exposed a section of an ancient Roman street. You are sorry to see that all the ancient Rome civilization has disappeared. For lovers of history the visit will be useful and enjoyable.
Not far from this museum are the ruins of the Roman Amphitheater, the Art Gallery and the Museum of religions in an old mosque.
The entrance fee is approx. 2 euro.
8. 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.
9. Samara Flag Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Milen D - Sofia, Bulgaria
This in by far the most monumental monument in Stara Zagora, seen from everywhere in the city. It commemorates the Russian army and the local liberation forces (called Oplchentsi). It is to be found in a nice park.
10. 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.
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