The valley of Thracian kings is an accomplished tourist product

In the recent years a great interest is paid to Bulgarian cultural tourism, because of its big potential. The thousands historical monuments in Bulgaria are apparently one of the reasons for this, but if there is something, which can be offered as finished tourist product-a theme destination, including archaeological objects, museums and a cultural program, concentrated on one place, this is the Valley of Thracian Kings in the area of the city of Kazanlak. This place where the kingdom of Odrysian-one of the most advanced Thracian tribes.

There are 1500 hills in the Kazanlak Valley and the discovered underneath them Thracian temples and vaults are over 20. All of them form the picture of powerful Thracian culture, but there is no doubt that the Tomb of Kazanlak is the most significant one.

Kazanlak Tomb

The monument dates back from the end of 4 and the beginning of 3 century B.C., when the Thracian country with a centre Sevtopolis, the capital city of Sevt III, has a real revival. The tomb of Kazanlak is also the best preserved Bulgarian monument of Thracian art and one of few remained masterpieces of the antique paintings nowadays. It is the first Bulgarian monument, included in the World List of UNESCO monuments. Seldom is the tomb opened for visits, because of its extraordinary importance, but there is a mirror copy of it in the city of Kazanlak.

The tombs near Shipka
There are over 500 temples mounds in Kazanlak district, but the most interesting and the most famous monuments are found near the town Shipka, situated 15km. north from Kazanlak. The most favourite is the hill-The Big Kosmatka, where is located one of the biggest and rich Thracian tombs on Bulgarian lands. Over 70 objects are found intact-bronze, silver, around 20 gold ones, which are left as gifts for the dead person. Several unique masterpieces of Ancient Greek Art are among them-bronze head of bearded man with eyes of jewels, gold wreath with oak tress leaves and acorns.

It is regarded as this is exactly the final home of the great king Sevt III, who has constructed his capital city Sevtopolis several km. south of the hill, which is now on the bottom of the dam “Koprinka”.
Sevtopolis is planned to sink out of the oblivion by the municipality leadership.

The unique in the whole world gold mask-fiala of 23 carat gold and gold ring are also found by the archaeologists in the tomb in the hill Svetitsa near town of Shipka. It is believed that here probably was the final home of one the mightiest kings of Thracians- Teres, who has unified the country of Odrysian and has led successful battles with Greek and Macedonian people.

The hill Ostrusha-one of the biggest Thracian complexes of the middle of 4 B.C, Sasheva Hill-the first whole representative tomb in Bulgarian lands and the three Thracian tombs of the necropolis Sushmanets are also added to the Thracian heritage around the town Shipka.

THE MUSEUM
Hundreds are the found art pieces, made of gold, silver, bronze and clay in the tombs nearby Kazanlak. Most of them are a part of the world historical heritage and are included in the list of the “travelling worldwide exhibitions” or can be seen in Bulgarian capital Sofia.
Fortunately, the museum “Iskra” in Kazanlak has managed to keep few of them. Copies of the bronze head of Sevt III and Teres’ gold mask are exhibited in modern-equipped hall. Moreover, there you can see originals, among which the most valuable is the gold wreath of Sevt III tomb-extraordinary exquisite workmanship of oak tree leaves and acorns.

The findings of the Thracian town Sevtopolis are exhibited in three separate halls. Tourists have the opportunity to be guided by a specialist archaeologist who can show them the tombs in the area. The museum is provided with multimedia hall, where there are many photos and movies, showing the memorable moments of the excavations and the extraordinary archaeological discoveries.

Celebrations in the Valley of Thracian Kings

The city of Kazanlak celebrates the revival of Thracian culture by the annual Holidays in the Valley of Thracian Kings. This event is very popular now and for that reason there are many Bulgarian and foreign tourists, celebrating the Holidays. This year it is the third time when the holidays have been made. They begin from the 29th of August until the 31st of August. The event includes a variety of cultural performances such as night shows on the hills, which reflects the Thracian way of life, exhibitions, theatre and dance performances.

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