Sights

The Crooked Tree Natural Landmark. From time immemorial, people have called this more than 400-year-old beech the "Crooked Tree" because of its bizarre shape. The height of the tree is 40 meters.

Zhrebchevo Dam is located in the immediate vicinity of the town of Nikolaevo. The waters of three rivers – Tundzha, Radova and Lazova flow into /fill/ the dam, which helps to develop agriculture. The total area of water courses and water areas is 4807 decares, 3078 of which are fishponds.

The Thracian sanctuaries in Skumsale, Kulata and Kachulata localities (Municipality of Strelcha) form a unique megalithic complex located on several levels. According to the archaeologists who are doing the research, this is about the sacralization of the entire hill from Stramonos to Zhaba Mogila. The monument consists of several cult places that are connected to each other. Each of the components of this complex is interesting from a cultural and natural point of view.

The nine Canadian sequoias planted in 1930 in Pirdop: at the Pirdop station, in front of the Todor Vlaykov Elementary School, in the yard of the Dormition of the Holy Mother church and private yards.

Near the Sopot Saint Spas Monastery, the Manastirska River flows, which forms beautiful waterfalls, the highest of which is the Sopot Waterfall, about 15 meters high.

Golyam and Malak Skok waterfalls are located on the Selchenska river, descending through a picturesque old mountain gorge above the town of Maglizh. The waterfalls were declared a natural landmark in 1965.

The picturesque Tazha gorge – with an altitude of 1100 meters, in close proximity to the Central Balkan National Park.

The megalithic sanctuary on Kozi Gramadi peak – it is located on a hill with an altitude of 1361 m, on the territory of the village of Starosel, Municipality of Hisarya, Province of Plovdiv. It is also one of the highest located ancient holy places on the territory of the Odrisyan kingdom. The sanctuary functioned for a very long period of time – from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD.

Suchurum waterfall – town of Karlovo – the translation means "flying water." Located on 1 km north of the centre of Karlovo at the foot of the Stara Planina, above the town’s hydroelectric power station. The height of the waterfall is 15 m. The waterfall is an attraction and a favourite place for rest and walks.

Raysko Praskalo Waterfall – The proximity of the waterfall to the National Revival town of Kalofer explains the name often used as a substitute for the waterfall – Kalofersko Praskalo. The sparkling waters of the Raysko Praskalo come from the snowy slopes of Mt Botev. The splashes of the waterfall – falling from an incredible height of 124.5 meters create indescribable beauty and amazement in the tourist.

The highest mid-mountain peaks – Mount Bogdan (1604 m) and Mount Bunay (1579 m), are located near the town of Panagyurishte. The combination of clean air and about 20 protected natural sites and historical areas, located in the beautiful mountain meadows and cool beech and oak forests, is a prerequisite for the development of hiking and ecological tourism.

The Blue Stones Nature Park is located in the immediate vicinity of the town of Sliven. It is an area of high and medium importance for the protection of biological diversity. It is characterized by a pronounced mountainous relief. On the territory of the nature park there are many rock phenomena, popular natural features and places for recreation, the most famous one being the rock phenomenon "Halkata" (the Ring). The phenomenon is among the most visited sites in the Blue Stones Nature Park near Sliven.

The megalith near Buzovgrad, also known as the Solar Gate, is an ancient sanctuary.

The ancient Thracians used it both for cult and ritual purposes and as a marker of time. This was possible because the sun's rays at sunset, on the day of the summer and autumn equinoxes (June 21 and September 22), pass right through the opening formed by the stone blocks and fall on the opposite rock. Since 2013, the site has been declared a natural landmark. To the east of the megalith is the Roman fortress of Buzovo Kale.

The emblematic Rosarium park in Kazanlak was created in the period 1922-1923. Having become an integral part of the town's cultural environment and a local landmark, in 2014 the park underwent a complete repair and rehabilitation. Dozens of new types of trees and ornamental roses have been planted. The unique Rose Museum is located in the park.

Tyulbeto Park is the favourite place for relaxation and walks of the Kazanlak residents among an incredible pine forest and greenery. It is located in the northeastern part of the town and offers playgrounds, recreation and picnic areas. In the park, the most famous Thracian tomb in Bulgaria is located, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Along with the fragrance of Damask rose and the fascinating nature, you can also experience the healing and relaxing properties of the warm mineral springs in Kazanlak. The hot mineral springs have always been a centre of attraction. The healing properties of the water are one of the reasons why different peoples and civilizations met here, traces of which we still find to this day. The high concentration of fluoride in the geothermal springs in the region of Kazanlak is among the highest in Europe and it gives exceptional qualities to the mineral water.

 In the 17th-19th centuries, when Koprivshtitsa had nearly 12,000 inhabitants, animal husbandry and handicraft manufacturing were not a sufficient source of livelihood, and therefore going abroad to work was widely popular among men. A few kilometres from Koprivshtitsa, the road to Pazardzhik and Plovdiv, leading these migrant workers to Tsarigrad and the Middle East, before descending to Strelcha, passes through an area with stone moraines. There families sent away fathers and brothers on the long and risky journey. The separation was hard and many tears were shed there for years on end.

Bagatur Ongal is located on the eastern outskirts of the town of Maglizh, at the foot of Stara planina. The base is part of the Proto-Bulgarian survival school "BagaTur." Therapeutic and adventure riding, one-day and two-day treks, horseback archery, instructional riding, arena riding, horseback tourism, anti-stress horseback riding, vaulting, courses in using whip, saber and rope are available.

Saint Archangel Michael Church – Anevo village – the newest church on the territory of the Municipality of Sopot, located in the centre of the village of Anevo, a few meters from the Sub-Balkan road.

Pokrov Bogorodichen Chapel – the upper church of Sopot was named The Holy Virgin and was one of the most beautiful churches and monasteries in the old mountain town. In 1877, the church was burned by the Turks. Subsequently, a Pokrov Bogorodichen chapel was built on the site of the old church. From the hill where the chapel is located, you can see the whole town and the surrounding area.

Introduction of the Virgin all-girl's monastery (Metoh) – the historical Sopot Metoh is one of the sights of the town. The all-girls monastery attracts many visitors with its ancient and romantic appearance. Also worthy of attention is the old vine (over 350 years old), which is a silent witness to important moments in the history of the town.

This holy place is connected with the activity of Vasil Levski. The Apostle of Bulgarian freedom has always found refuge there.

Sts. Petar and Pavel Church – the Sts. Petar and Pavel church from the Revival period, which is a parish church, is located in the central part of the town of Sopot. It is located at the southern foot of the historic hill "Trapeto" and in the immediate vicinity of the Sopot Virgin Monastery (Metoh). With its impressive appearance, it is one of the buildings best representing the church construction on Bulgarian land.

Sopotski Esnaf Ethnographic and Craft Center is located in two houses from the National Revival period in the town centre. The Ethnographic Center is managed by the Ivan Vazov House Museum and the Association of Sopot’s Craftsmen and Connoisseurs of Arts and Crafts. Here, visitors can explore four ethnographic collections representing the rural and urban life of the region.

Dyado Stoyanova Vodenitsa (en: Grandfather Stoyan’s Mill) near Sopot is one of the places connected with the Bulgarian past, which have historical, sentimental, and romantic value. It is in the memory of every child who has already read "Under the Yoke" and every adult. In the town of the Patriarch of Bulgarian literature, it is also called Boycho's Mill after the main character in the novel Boycho Ognyanov, who saves the granddaughter of the miller, grandfather Stoyan, from the Turks.

The girls' (Radino) school was built in 1851. It is one of the first girls' schools in Bulgaria. It was burned in 1877 during the Russian-Turkish war, and was rebuilt in 1879. The upper floor was used as a school, and the lower – as a theatre hall for the Community Center.