Valley of Roses & Central Bulgaria

The Rose Valley (Розова долина) stretches over approximately 130 kilometers between the towns of Karlovo and Kazanlak, nestled between the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) to the north and the Sredna Gora to the south. This protected valley with its mild climate, fertile soils, and perfect mix of moisture and sunshine is the cradle of the Bulgarian oil rose (Rosa damascena)—and the reason why Bulgaria produces 85% of the world's rose oil.

Rose Oil Production

The rose harvest takes place every year in May and June—a window of only a few weeks during which the blossoms must be picked before sunrise when the oil content is highest. For one liter of rose oil, 3,000 to 4,000 kilograms of rose petals are needed—hence, a kilogram of rose oil costs more than a kilogram of gold. The oil is used in the perfume industry, cosmetics, and aromatherapy and is exported worldwide.

Rose Festival (Festival na Rozata)

The Rose Festival takes place every year at the beginning of June in Kazanlak and nearby Karlovo—a multi-day folk festival with rose blossom harvesting in the fields, folk dances, music, parades, and the election of the Rose Queen. Visitors can participate in the harvest, distill rose water, and revel in the scent of thousands of blossoms. An authentic, joyful festival that captures the soul of Bulgaria.

Kazanlak

Kazanlak (Казанлък) is the capital of the Rose Valley and home to two important attractions:

• Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (UNESCO): A 4th-century BC domed tomb with fascinating frescoes depicting a Thracian banquet, horse races, and ritual scenes. The colors are astonishingly vibrant after 2,400 years. The original is closed for protection, but an exact replica can be visited. Admission: 5 BGN (€2.50).
• Rose Museum: Everything about rose oil production—from historical distillation apparatus to modern processes. Rose oil samples and rose cosmetics are available in the museum shop. Admission: 5 BGN (€2.50).

Veliko Tarnovo (Велико Търново) is Bulgaria's most spectacular city—and that's no exaggeration. The former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1393) perches on several hills above the deeply incised Yantra River, which winds through the city in dramatic meanders. Houses cling to steep rock faces, fortress walls crown the peaks, and the view from the old town over the river is one of the most beautiful panoramas in Southeastern Europe.

Tsarevets Fortress

The Tsarevets Fortress on the hill of the same name was the political and religious center of the medieval Bulgarian Empire. The massive complex stretches across the entire hill: palace foundations, the Patriarchal Church, watchtowers, and thick walls that withstood Ottoman attacks for centuries. The climb up the steep stairs is rewarded with a 360-degree panorama over the city, the river, and the surrounding mountains.

Sound-and-Light Show (Zvuk i Svetlina): On selected evenings (especially in summer and on holidays), the fortress becomes the stage for a spectacular sound and light show: lasers, fire, and music tell the story of Bulgaria while the fortress walls glow in all colors. Visible for free from the opposite old town—an unforgettable experience. Fortress admission: 6 BGN (€3).

Old Town (Varosha)

The old town district Varosha on the slope of Sveta Gora (Holy Hill) is an ensemble of revival houses with bay windows, cobblestone streets, and the famous Samovodska Charshiya—a crafts street where blacksmiths, potters, icon painters, and leather craftsmen have their workshops. Here you can experience traditional crafts live and buy unique souvenirs.

University Town & Nightlife

Veliko Tarnovo is also a university town—the approximately 20,000 students create a young, vibrant atmosphere with cafés, bars, and cultural events. Prices are accordingly student-friendly: beer from 2 BGN (€1), dinner from 8 BGN (€4). The combination of history and youthful energy makes the city one of the most pleasant places in Bulgaria.

Koprivshtitsa (Копривщица) is one of Bulgaria's most beautiful villages—and a living monument of the Bulgarian National Revival (18th–19th century). The town is located in an idyllic valley of the Sredna Gora at an altitude of 1,060 meters, surrounded by forests and mountain meadows, and feels like a journey back to the 19th century.

Revival Architecture

Koprivshtitsa's houses are masterpieces of Bulgarian revival architecture: massive stone foundations, brightly painted facades in blue, yellow, pink, and green, protruding wooden bay windows with carved ceilings, and blooming gardens behind stone walls. Six of these houses are accessible as house museums and showcase the lives of wealthy Bulgarian merchants and revolutionaries of the 19th century:

• Oslekov House: The most splendid of the museums—a wealthy merchant's house with elaborately painted walls, wall niches, and a carved wooden ceiling that required weeks of handwork.
• Lyutov House: A symmetrical masterpiece with a banquet hall whose ceiling depicts the four seasons.
• Kableshkov House: Home of the revolutionary Todor Kableshkov, who initiated the April Uprising against the Ottomans in 1876—a key moment in Bulgarian history.

A combo ticket for all six museums costs 6 BGN (€3)—one of Bulgaria's best cultural bargains.

History

Koprivshtitsa plays a key role in Bulgarian national history: On April 20, 1876, the April Uprising against Ottoman rule began here—the first organized uprising, which, although it failed militarily, attracted international attention and ultimately led to the Russo-Ottoman War and the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878. The houses of the revolutionaries are now national sanctuaries.

Practical Information

Koprivshtitsa is accessible from Sofia by car in 1.5 hours (110 km). There are a few small hotels and guesthouses (from 30 BGN/€15 per person). Best visited as a day trip from Sofia or as a stopover on the way to the Rose Valley. Every 5 years (next in 2026), a large folklore festival takes place, attracting thousands in traditional costumes.

Around Kazanlak and Shipka lies the Valley of the Thracian Kings—an archaeological treasure trove often compared to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. In this relatively small area, over 1,500 Thracian burial mounds (tumuli) have been identified, of which only a fraction has been excavated. The Thracians—a warlike, artful people who inhabited present-day Bulgaria from the 2nd millennium BC until the Roman conquest—left their most impressive legacies here.

Important Tombs

• Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (UNESCO): The most famous tomb with its polychrome frescoes from the 4th century BC—banquet scenes, chariot races, and the portrait of a Thracian royal couple. The artistic quality is breathtaking and shows the cultural exchange with the Greek world.
• Tomb of Golyama Kosmatka: In 2004, the tomb of Thracian King Seuthes III was discovered here—with a golden crown, bronze head, and valuable grave goods. The bronze head (lifelike, with glass eyes) is one of the most fascinating artworks of antiquity and can be seen in the museum of Kazanlak.
• Tomb of Alexandrovo: Another painted tomb with hunting scenes and animal figures—less known than Kazanlak but equally impressive.

Shipka Pass & Monument

The Shipka Pass (1,185 m) is one of Bulgaria's most historic sites: Here, in 1877, the Battle of Shipka Pass took place, where Russian and Bulgarian troops held off the Ottoman army—a turning point in the War of Liberation. The monumental Freedom Monument on the summit (1,326 m) is accessible via 890 steps and offers a panorama over the entire Rose Valley. At the foot of the pass stands the magnificent Shipka Memorial Church in Russian-Byzantine style with golden domes.

The Valley of the Thracian Kings is a place where history becomes tangible. The combination of ancient tombs, the Rose Valley, and the Shipka Pass makes this region one of Bulgaria's most culturally rich areas—and a must-visit for anyone who wants to understand Bulgaria.