Kazanlak (Bulgarian: Казанлък, also transliterated as Kazanluk) is a city of about 80,000 people in Northern Thrace, close to the Balkan mountain range and Shipka Pass.

Understand

Kazanlak lies in the centre of Rose Valley, a major agricultural area with rose fields, product of which is then extracted to produce rose oil.

See

The Thracian tomb

• Valley of the Thracian Kings
• Thracian tomb of Kazanlak (Казанлъшка гробница) near the city is an ancient Thracian tomb dating back to 4th century BOT and is a World Heritage site. Inside the tomb is a narrow corridor opening to a round burial chamber, both of which are decorated with murals depicting a ritual funeral feast.
• The views that can be seen from both the Memorial Church and the Monument on Stoletov Peak, are amazing, unforgettable and a pleasure to the eye.

Do

• Watch the famous Bulgarian rose oil being produced. It is best to visit in May or June, as that's the oil rose harvesting season.
• Rose Festival. Every year, at the beginning of June, Kazanlak has a Rose Festival. (updated Jun 2016)

Stay safe

There is a large Roma community in the eastern part of the city, in which travellers may feel uncomfortable and non-locals may be unwelcome—it's best to avoid there altogether.

Go next

• The village of Shipka to the north, which has an impressive Russian style cathedral built in memory of the Russian soldiers who fell in the Battle of Shipka Pass.
• The town of Gabrovo to the north, across the Balkan Mountains, which has historic sites, a humor museum and impressive shopping and dining opportunities.
• Nature Park Bulgarka, on the north side of the Balkans across from Kazanluk, provides many out door activities opportunities for people who enjoy nature and hiking.