Located in the central part of Southern Bulgaria, Stara Zagora Province is centered around the city of Stara Zagora. It encompasses 5,151 square kilometers, making up 4.6% of the national territory. The region is divided into 11 municipalities, each varying in size, population, and socioeconomic progress. In total, there are 205 settlements within these municipalities, including 10 cities, with Stara Zagora, Kazanlik, and Chirpan being the largest among them.[4] The area where Stara Zagora is located has a considerable history. It began as an ancient Thracian settlement called Beroea and later became the Roman city of Augusta Trajana. The town fell under Turkish rule in 1370, leading to a period of stagnation where it primarily served as a trade and craft center. During the Russo-Turkish War, the town was destroyed by the Turks before eventually being liberated in 1878. After its liberation, Stara Zagora was rebuilt as a planned town.[10] Thus, the province's capital city showcases several landmarks, such as the Museum of Neolithic Dwellings and the Antique Forum of Augusta Trayana, to name a couple.[7] Apart from historical sights in the city itself, people can find landmarks scattered across the region. One such example is the Shipchen Monastery.[8] Geographically, one-third of the Stara Zagora's landscape is covered by mountains and forests.[4] The Central Balkan National Park protrudes into the area's northwestern corner, protecting local nature and providing hiking opportunities to tourists.[9]
Stara Zagora, located in the heart of Bulgaria, is a town with approximately 160,500 residents. Positioned 230 kilometers from Sofia and 180 kilometers from Bourgas, Stara Zagora is a hub of development and a university center. The town offers historical and cultural heritage stemming from its eight-thousand-year history, preserved in the archives of the Regional History Museum. Notable attractions include the Museum of Neolithic Dwellings, featuring some of Europe's best-preserved dwellings from the sixth century BC, the Antique Forum of Augusta Trayana, and the "Defenders of Stara Zagora 1877" Memorial Complex. It also houses the "Geo Milev" Museum, an Art Gallery, and the Museum of Religions.
Throughout the year, Stara Zagora hosts various festivals, such as the Festival of Masquerade Games, the National Festival of Bulgarian Folklore and Traditional Dishes, and the International Puppet Theatre Festival for Adults "Pierrot." The town's parks and gardens, including the expansive Ayazmoto Park, provide recreational opportunities. Ayazmoto Park, established in 1895, spans 320 hectares and features over 150 exotic plant species, a zoo, a Hall of Laughter with crooked mirrors, an outdoor fitness area, and a summer theater. Fifteen kilometers from town, the Stara Zagora mineral baths offer a retreat with a mild climate and mineral waters.[7]
The Shipchen Monastery can be found within Stara Zagora Province, and it is also known as the "Nativity of Christ," a temple monument located in Shipka, Bulgaria. It stands as a tribute to the Russian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation. Constructed from 1885 to 1902, it showcases 17th-century Russian church architecture with a cross-domed design, including a central dome surrounded by four smaller ones with golden cubes.
The facade showcases ecclesiastical art, while 17 bells chime during celebrations—with some of the bells' casts made from collected shell casings. The interior features a linden wood and gold-leaf iconostasis, frescoes, and numerous donated items from the monastery "St. Panteleimon" in Athos. A crypt beneath the monument houses 17 sarcophagi containing the remains of around 18,000 individuals. Originally Russian-owned, it was transferred to Bulgaria in 1934 and declared a historical cultural monument in 1970. In 2004, ownership passed to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and today, the Shipchen Monastery is reportedly among Bulgaria's top 100 national tourist sites.[8]
People seeking refuge in nature can venture to the Central Balkan National Park. Managed by the Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the park aims to preserve biodiversity, protect wildlife, support scientific and educational activities, and promote sustainable tourism. Nine reserves are within the park, and it is part of the Natura 2000 network as well as UNESCO. Central Balkan National Park offers a nature-friendly tourism zone with 580 kilometers of tourist routes, providing access to its diverse landscapes. Visitors can explore ancient forests, alpine meadows, rugged peaks, and waterfalls. Interpretation complexes, eco-trails, and visitor centers help educate and engage visitors, making it a year-round destination for nature enthusiasts.[9]
Geographically, Stara Zagora Province territory encompasses the Stara Zagora plain, parts of the Sredna Gora mountain range, the southern slopes of the Balkan mountain range, and the Kazanlik Valley—resulting in a diverse landscape and climate. Approximately one-third of the region consists of mountains and forests. The primary river in the region is the Tundja River, along with its tributaries. Additionally, mineral springs are located in Pavel Banya, Yagoda, Ovoshtnik, and Starozagorski Mineralni Bani.
Regarding mineral resources, the region possesses deposits of lignite, brown and black coal, barytes, and gypsum. Among these, the lignite coal deposits in the Eastern Maritsa coal basin are of particular economic significance due to their use in heat and power generation.
As of 2002, the region has a population of 366,636 residents, constituting 4.7% of the national total and ranking as the 5th largest region. The population density, at 71 inhabitants per square kilometer, was in line with the national average, with nearly 68% residing in urban areas.[4]
Central Balkan National Park is located in the territory's northwestern corner. It was established in 1991 and sprawls over 720 square kilometers in Bulgaria's highest Stara Planina mountain region. This landscape comprises Zlatishko-Tetevenska, Troyanska Planina, and Kaloferska Planina. A total of nine reserves can be found in the park, including "Boatin," "Tsarichina," and "Steneto," which are classified as "the first category" of protected areas. It is also known for its diverse habitats and significant amount of flora and fauna.
Recognized for its ecological significance, the Central Balkan National Park has been part of the NATURA 2000 network since 2008, safeguarding wild birds and natural diversity. In 2017, the park, along with five neighboring municipalities, was designated a Biosphere Park by UNESCO, emphasizing its role in preserving local nature and promoting sustainable development. Additionally, its beech forests were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site series as part of the "Old and Primary Beech Forests of the Carpathians and other Regions in Europe."[5]
In terms of climate in Stara Zagora, the months of May and September typically offer weather, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C. Summer, characterized by the hottest weather, spans from June through September. August stands out as the warmest month, with an average maximum temperature of 31°C. On the other hand, January holds the title for the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 6°C.
In terms of rainfall, May receives the most precipitation, with 85 millimeters of rainfall, making it the wettest month. Conversely, August is the driest month, with 44 millimeters of precipitation.[6]
Around 8,000 years ago, evidence of human presence in the Stara Zagora region first emerged during the Neolithic era. People recognized the area's natural resources and chose to settle there. Reportedly, Europe's best-preserved Neolithic dwellings, dating back eight millennia, are still visible today. These dwellings contain a wealth of both ritual and everyday artifacts. Additionally, Europe's initial metal mines, established around seven thousand years ago, are located near the modern city. The Ancient Thracians founded the first settlement in the area in the fourth century, known as "Beroe," which some believe may be linked to these ancient mines. During the Roman Empire in the second century, Emperor Trajan constructed the city Augusta Traiana. Over time, this city grew to become the second-largest economic, administrative, and cultural hub within the Thrace province, experiencing prosperity.[2]
The first mention of Stara Zagora dates back to the seventh century, linked to Tervel's Bulgarian army aiding Emperor Justinian II's restoration to the Constantinople throne. In 705, a peace treaty ceded the Zagore region to Bulgaria. In 716, another treaty expanded Bulgarian territory further west.
Beroe, as it was known, changed hands between Byzantium and Bulgaria. Later, in 784, Empress Irene rebuilt the town, renaming it Irenopolis. By the late tenth century, the city became predominantly Bulgarian.
During Ottoman rule, Stara Zagora underwent name changes, becoming Eski Zagra. Eventually, the town was chosen for the 1875 Herzegovina uprising but was dispersed by the Ottomans.[1]
Despite the uprising's defeat, it fueled the general revolutionary spirit among Bulgarians and set the stage for the April Uprising. The flag of the Staro Zagorsk insurgents served as the prototype for today's Bulgarian flag.
In 1877, during the Russo-Turkish War, Stara Zagora played a considerable role in the Battle of Stara Zagora. Russian and Bulgarian troops defended the city but faced an Ottoman attack and had to retreat. Following the battle, the Turkish army carried out a massacre, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Bulgarians and the destruction of the city.
After the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, Stara Zagora was rebuilt with a modern rectangular checkerboard layout designed by architect Lubor Bayer. It grew in population and became one of the largest Bulgarian cities in the 20th century, reaching over 160,000 inhabitants by 1992.[3]
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