Sights

Anevsko Kale – like a lonely colossus, testifying to past greatness, 2 km northwest of Sopot rise the fortress walls of the medieval Bulgarian fortress.

The Village of Turia Museum Village cultural complex /4 km southwest of the town of Pavel Banya/. Turia is the home town of the patriarch of Bulgarian humour – Dimitar Hristov Chorbadzhiyski, better known as Chudomir. It is of exceptional interest for the guests of Pavel Banya. This is where Chudomir's birthplace (now museum), which is open to visitors, and the permanent exhibition in the Nashentsi hall at the Chudomir Primary School are located. Also the famous in Bulgaria, and not only, the spreading hornbeam, which is over 700 years old, is located there.

The ruins of the Krasen fortress – 6 km south of Panagyurishte. Research shows that during the Early Byzantine and Middle Ages, Krasen was one of the most important settlements in the region. The revealed fortification system with a double fortification line and numerous towers, the dense residential development, the extensive suburbs outside the fortress are evidence of this. Two churches and several necropolises were explored.

 The thematic Panagyurishte School of Goldsmiths exhibition is located in the Dzhunov House – part of the museum complex, built in 1893. Goldsmith’s production occupied an important place in the general economic and cultural uprise in Panagyurishte in the 19th century. The exposition traces the origin and development of the Panagyurishte school of goldsmiths and the production techniques mastered in it: casting, enamel, forging and filigree. The main production of the goldsmiths of Panagyurishte were ornaments, tableware and church utensils.

The house of Ivan Lekov was built after the Crimean War and was painted in 1873. Its owner, a rich merchant, was a revolutionary and a participant in the April Uprising. The house was visited by the Apostle of Freedom – Vasil Levski. After the meetings of Oborishte, the commission elected by the First Great National Assembly, convened in April 1876, stayed there. Along with its historical value, the Lekov House is also a valuable monument of revival architecture.

The Drinov house was built in the 1930s. The Drinov family remains permanently in the history of the struggles for national liberation, cultural uplifting and restoration of the Bulgarian state.

It is connected with the announcement of the uprising on April 20, 1876. It was built in the period 1873-1874. Its owner was Ivan Tutev, a wealthy citizen of Panagyurishte and a participant in the revolutionary work.

The Dudekov House – there is an ethnographic exhibition that recreates urban life in houses from the National Revival period. The house was built in the period 1853-1856. It was owned by the merchant Petar Dudekov who was killed by the Ottomans during the April Uprising. It was restored in 1990-1996. The Dudekov House is a historical and architectural monument from the National Revival period.

Tuida is a Late Antique and Medieval fortress. It is located on the Hisarlaka hill in the northeastern part of Sliven, right next to the Novo Selo neighbourhood. In the past, the area was inhabited by Thracian tribes, ancient Romans and medieval Bulgarians. From the site of the fortress there is a unique view of the majestic Blue Stones and the town of Sliven. Tens of thousands of Bulgarian and foreign tourists visit the site every year, regardless of the season.

The Patevata Maaza was built in 1863 by Vasil Patev, heir of the famous merchant of fabrics, colonial goods and manufacture Patyu Hadjiminchev. It served as a warehouse and shop. Today, the Pateva maaza works as an information centre where visitors can get information about the Old Karlovo complex, as well as about other attractions in Karlovo and the region.

The Rayno Popovich House is the house of the teacher and writer Rayno Popovich. Here, every tourist can make a unique certificate on an authentic printing press from the 19th century, cast a wax seal, and write it in Cyrillic or Glagolitic. In the classroom, everyone can write on sand, read, draw pebbles, make cards.

The hospitable Pateva House is the house of flowers and herbs. Here you can learn interesting facts about medicinal herbs and rose production. At the mini-distillery, the extraction of various essential oils can be observed. Guests can participate in workshops for making medicinal ointments, embroidery and knitting. Herbal rakya and rose tea are tasted. There is also a room of the Rose Queen, with her dresses, throne and crown. Toddlers can dress up, become Little Miss Rose and have their photo taken as a souvenir.

The Bukhalov Inn was built in 1850 and was once an inn where merchants stayed overnight. The architecture of the house is impressive, it is authentically furnished in the unique spirit of the old times. In the small cozy rooms, there are separate craft studios, where master craftsmen present to the tourists weaving, wool felting, wood carving, Kalofer lace, etc.

With funding under a European project, five landmark buildings of the town of Karlovo with high historical and aesthetic value have been restored and adapted. These are some of the most iconic single cultural monuments in the town. The integrity of the architectural ensemble is a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of the Revival period of an extremely remarkable Bulgarian town where everyone can rediscover themselves and their roots. Each house offers different attractions and demonstrations in which each visitor can participate on their own.

Only 7 km from Kazanlak is Waterland Aquapark in the village of Ovoshtnik. It extends over an area of 20,000 square meters at the site of the Old Beach, near the mineral springs that are used to fill all the pools.

The dam is one of the most beautiful Bulgarian reservoirs, located along the Tundzha River, 7 km from Kazanlak. It can be reached by car, bicycle, and even on foot, because the distance takes no more than 2 hours of slow walking. It is an attractive destination for fishermen, nature lovers and fans of water sports. The place also offers a variety of opportunities for vacations and family excursions. The beautiful views and the fragrant pine forest make it a favourite place for walks.

The Buzludzha Monument is the popular name of the largest ideological monument of the totalitarian communist regime in Bulgaria. Its architecture is described as a sacrificial tray and column symbolizing an unfurled flag and wreath in honour of the Bulgarian Communist Party. It was erected in 1981 on Mount Hadzhi Dimitar, better known by its old name of Mount Buzludzha.

The Lion's Fountain or Tsar's Fountain is located in the centre of Kazanlak. Its architect is the Florentine sculptor Arnaldo Zocchi. Its name comes from the fact that bronze lion heads are depicted on the north, west and south sides. The fountain was built and solemnly consecrated in the presence of Prince Ferdinand I in 1903. It was built with funds granted by Knyaz Ferdinand.

It is said that whoever drinks water from the Lion's Fountain, stays in Kazanlak forever.

The museum exhibition is arranged in two rooms on the floor of the Home and presents the life path of the composer, his symphonic and choral works, his academic and musical-social activities, his journalism, ties with his homeland, the national recognition he enjoyed and delights to this day. Originals and facsimiles of originals and printed editions of scores of a large part of Acad.

The exhibition in the House of Academician Dechko Uzunov presents part of the donation of his wife Olga Uzunova and includes portraits, landscapes, still-life paintings, genre compositions, drawings and watercolours from various creative periods of the famous citizen of Kazanlak.

The house of Prof. Nenko Balkanski displays a representative collection from the donation of his wife Liliana Balkanska – paintings, drawings, watercolours, as well as personal belongings of the popular Bulgarian artist.

The golden domes of the temple in the town of Shipka are shining from afar. It was built in the Moscow Baroque style in memory of the soldiers who died during the defence of the Shipka Pass. Their bones are kept in 17 marble sarcophagi in the temple's crypt. For 57 years, Bulgarian and Russian artists painted the walls of the church. The interesting thing here are the wall paintings, in which, in addition to the obligatory biblical scenes, personalities and events from Bulgarian and Russian history are present.

The complex was opened in 1979. This is the place where guests of the town can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Kazanlak’s traditions. The complex is located in the old part of the town, with preserved buildings with a traditional appearance. The restored two houses, unique in their architecture, represent the urban and rural life in the region.

In May and June, you can experience the rituals in rose distillery there.

The only Museum of Photography and Contemporary Visual Arts in Bulgaria was opened in 2015. It has quickly become an attractive centre for both photographers and residents and guests of Kazanlak. For this short period, a significant amount of exhibits related to the history of photography in the country and Kazanlak have been collected. The museum has an exposition and exhibition hall, a multimedia space suitable for training, lectures, discussions, book presentations and conferences. Exhibitions of leading photographers from Europe and the country are organized here every month.

The former home of the writer Dimitar Chorbadzhiyski, known by his pseudonym Chudomir, today houses more than 15,000 of his original manuscripts, letters, books, sketches and personal belongings.

A particularly important place in the cultural life of Kazanlak is assigned to the Chudomir's Holidays, which are held annually from March 25 to April 1. They are dedicated to theatre, music, literature, visual arts and satire. Every year they become one of the most anticipated and attractive cultural events in Bulgaria.