Valley of the Thracian Kings and Augusta Trayana Tour

You will have around 2 hours drive until you reach the Valley of the Thracian kings. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to numerous Thracian tombs and burial mounds dating back to the 5th century BC. As you travel to the site, imagine the grandeur and splendor of the Thracian civilization that flourished in this region over 2,000 years ago. Envision the powerful kings and queens who were buried in these tombs, surrounded by their wealth and treasures. Upon arrival, your highly educated guide will lead you on a tour of the site, bringing the history of the Thracians to life. You'll see the impressive 5 tombs, and learn about the customs and beliefs of this ancient civilization. As you explore the Valley of the Thracian Kings, you'll be struck by the beauty of the natural surroundings. The valley is surrounded by lush green forests, offering a peaceful and serene setting for your visit.

After exploring the Kazanlak region, we will continue our journey toward Stara Zagora where we will observe the layers of human history between the Stone age and modern times. But first, we will walk in the beautiful city center where we will have lunch. When we regain our strength we will start our exploration. Augusta Trayana was founded in the 2nd century AD and was an important center for trade and culture. The city was named after the Roman emperor Trajan and was a thriving metropolis during the Roman Empire. You will walk on the original streets from those days and will see where the city council has gathered for its meetings. We will visit the remains of a Roman house where you will see amazing mosaics in perfect condition, and will get the feeling of the way of living in the city in the days of the Roman empire.

During your walk in Stara Zagora, your guide will show you a unique place- the Museum of Religions. It is situated in one of the oldest Mosques in the Balkans- Eski Mosque from the early XV century. The building is one of the very few that survived the Ottoman destruction of the city during the Russian-Ottoman war in 1877. The Mosque is decorated beautifully but there are some secret paintings implemented in the Orthodox Muslim style. The Mosque was constructed on top of an X-century Christian church, which was built on top of an Ancient Thracian temple. This place was spiritually important for more the two thousand years. Every culture has left its mark and all layers are visible in this amazing museum.

Our last stop of the day is the furthest that we will get back in time- to the Neolithic age. You will visit the ruins of 2 houses from those times. They were part of a big Neolithic settlement. These houses are one of the best-preserved prehistorical buildings in Europe. The exposition will bring you back to the VII Millennium BC and your guide will do his best to explain who those people were and how they lived. In addition to the houses, you will also see, an archaeological collection of objects, related to the culture and the religion of the Stone age people, discovered in the Stone age settlements. After this incredible visit, we will start our journey back to Plovdiv.