GOSTILITSA
Kazanlak
Valley of the Roses
Mum and I took a drive to Kazanlak in May 2008 to see the famous Valley of the Roses. The drive from Gostilitsa heads over the Shipka Pass which is an amazing drive to do (in good weather). As we drove along the main road towards Kazanlak, we foolishly expected to see fields of bright coloured roses on either side of us but could see nothing except greenery. Where are all the rose bushes, we wondered. It was only when we pulled over to study the landscape through binoculars that mum spotted that all the greenery was in fact the rose bushes. Reading about the industry later in the museum, we found that the roses for oil are picked whilst they're still in bud, and that was why we saw no flowers! Silly us. The Rose museum is on the left before you reach Kazanlak. It's only a small display but I thought it was interesting (after the curator switched on the lights for us). I can't remember the statistics but it takes a phenomenal number of rosebuds to make a tiny drop of oil.
Opening hours:
20 April – 31 October: 9.00 am - 5.30 pm – works every day
1 November - 19 April – The museum is closed and works only upon a preliminary request
Admission:
adults – BGN 3
students - BGN 1
Guided tours: Bulgarian language – BGN 5; foreign language – BGN 15
Thracian Tomb
Heading into Kazanlak itself, we followed signs for the Thracian Tomb (there are several visible as you drive along the road towards Kazanlak). There is the real tomb which is only open by special appointment but next to it is the museum which is a good replica, and has some of the finds on display too and well worth a visit. The museum is set in a nice parkland with some cafes and souvenir stalls nearby.
Opening hours:
May - November: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
From November to April the tomb opens only on request for large groups.
Guided tour:
In Bulgarian language – BGN 5
In a foreign language – BGN 15
Admission for the duplicate tomb: adults – BGN 3, students – BGN 1
Kazanlak Tombs Information on other tombs in the area, most of which have free entry on the last Monday of each month.