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Kazanluk - the region of roses and Thracian rulers
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The town of Kazanluk is located in the gorgeous Valley of Roses at the foot of the Balkan Mountains. The natural geographical centre of Bulgaria is just here where the roads of domestic and international tourist routes cross each other. The town is at about 200 km. east of Sofia, 55 km. east of Karlovo, 48 km. south of Gabrovo and 75 km. west of Sliven.
The nature here is a perfect combination of the beauty and majesty of the Balkan Mountains and the fertility of the Tundja river valley.
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Centre of rose-growing and rose-oil manufacturing
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 The town of Kazanlak is located in the pretty Valley of roses at the foot of the Balkan mountains. The natural geographical center of Bulgaria is just here where the roads of home and international tourist routes cross each other. The town is at about 200 km. east of Sofia, 55 east of Karlovo, 48 south of Gabrovo and 75 west of Sliven. In this area the nature has combined the beauty and majesty of the Balkan mountains with the fertility of the Tundja river valley.
The oil-yielding rose takes up an important place in the history of the Kazanlak region. It is a constant part of the way of life of the native-born. The enterprise and diligence of generations of rose oil producers have preserved this so important means of livelihood.
The municipality of Kazanlak possesses an exceptionally rich cultural and historical legacy, which has been multiplied by time as the settlement lies on a crossroad where highly developed cultures meet. Its greatest wealth comprises of items from the material culture of the Antiquity and most important from the Thracian cultural and historical legacy.
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 More than 90 cultural and historical monuments give evidence of the exceptional contribution of the people who have inhabited this area to the European civilization. The vicinity of the town of Kazanlak offers the tourists the marvelous opportunity to get acquainted with the Bulgarian village, to experience the special rhythm of life in the countryside. The towns of Shipka and Maglij, the villages of Enina, Tarnichene, Dunavtsi and Golyamo Dryanovo have the typical sub-Balkan atmosphere. Almost every house in the area offers accommodation to tourists and a taste of coziness and hospitality. The tourists will also have the chance to try home made dishes from the traditional Bulgarian cuisine. The pleasure is supplemented by the fresh Balkan air, the clear water, the peace and tranquility.
Outside the town of Kazanlak tourists can practice hiking and biking tourism, orienteering, alpinism, sports climbing, ski-tourism, etc. Many interesting alpine tourist routes with mountain guides can also be organized.
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The Thracian tomb of Kazanluk
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 What this pretty town, nestled at the foot of the mountains, is most famous for is the Thracian tomb of Kazanluk.
The tomb was excavated in 1944 and is one of the 9 cultural and historical sites in Bulgaria included in the UNESCO list of historical and architectural monuments of global importance.
Up to then, the burial mound had been considered a natural elevation of the ground.
The tomb is situated in a mound near the town of Kazanluk. It consists of a lobby, a corridor and a dome. The system of ornaments in the corridor is complex and extremely interesting. The walls are covered with shining, fine plaster and a beautiful fresco.
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Sports and Recreation
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The diversity of the nature in this region is favorable for sport and recreation both during winter and summer. The numerous mountainous chalets in this part of the Balkan mountain are well equipped and the area is suitable for recreation, winter sports training, hiking, etc. There are ski -lifts and ski - runs near some of the chalets, ski equipment rented.
In the summer time Koprinka dam is the most popular place. The facilities for water sports, fishing and the beach area attract many visitors. The fresh pine forest and the newly built exquisite hotels contribute to the unique atmosphere of this site.
Hiking, cycling, orienteering, mountaineering, climbing, skiing are the most popular sport that can be practiced in the vicinity of Kazanlak. Led by experienced guides the tourists can explore the mountains.
Kazanlak sports schools have traditions of many years and are well-known to the lover of sports in Bulgaria and abroad.
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Landmarks
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The Shipka Memorial church is located only 12 km north of Kazanlak, at the south foot of the Stara planina mountains near the town of Shipka. It was erected after the Liberation as a monument to both Russian and Bulgarian dead. The golden domes and the green and pink colored facade loom against the mountains and attract the attention of the travelers in the Shipka pass.
The Shipka National Park was founded on the same area where the bloody battles of the Russian - Turkish Liberation War occurred during the 1870’s. It represents a complex of memorial tablets, monuments, trenches, and bunkers reminiscent of the battle.
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The Buzludja National park rises east of the Shipka pass. It is a very important part of Bulgarian history - here, on July 30, 1868, Hadji Dimiter fell in battle. He was at the head of a small group of rebels fighting the numerous Turkish enemy. In 1961 a monument was built here to commemorate this act of heroism. The impressive marble figure of Hadji Dimiter is outlined against the green background of the pine - trees.
Chudomir's literature and art museum. On May 27, 1969 Chudomir’s home was declared a museum.
The Ostrusha Hill is one of the biggest cults – sepulchral complex in Bulgaria.
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Traditions
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The rose has an important role in the history of the Kazanlak region. It is an unchangeable part of the lifestyle of the local people. The rose cultivation and rose industry have been kept by generations of enterprising and hard-working people from Kazanlak. As a capital of the rose-growing region, Kazanlak hosts the annual Festival of Roses during the first week of June. This festival was held for the first time in 1903 and was dedicated to beauty and charity. Nowadays the festival is a pageant of beauty in the unique Valley of the Roses and one of the most attractive happenings both for the local people and for the visitors. The festival programme includes the coronation of Queen Rose (a beauty contest in several rounds), the traditional rose-picking ritual and rose-distillation that gives you a true feeling of authenticity.
The Festival ends with a street procession in which the main role is allotted to the participants in the International Folklore Festival that has been held simultaneously with the Festival of Roses for some years.
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Other places of interest in the region
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Touroperator 
