Landmarks in Stara Zagora

The Bereketska Mogila (Hill) (west of Kolyo Ganchev Quarter) is the biggest prehistoric settlement excavated in Bulgaria. It is 17 meters high, its diametrical dimensions at the base are over 250 meters. Close to the District Hospital (16, Armeiska Str. or Bareiro Str.) scientists have found the biggest dwelling mounds in Bulgaria. Therein were the remains of two ancient dwellings dated back to the neolith  - the middle of the 6th millennium BC and they are the best preserved such finds in Europe to date. Working hours: 9 a.m. – 12 a.m. and 2 p.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The antique forum Augusta Trayana (The Bishop Methodi Kousev Blvd., on the back of the Law Court) is one of the most monumental facilities built in the Roman city of Augusta Trayana. Working hours: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. and 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Late antiquity floorage mosaic - 4th century (Gen. Stoletov Str., behind the Opera House). Preserved is only the guest hall of a rich house, situated in the centre of Augusta Trayana. Only the floor has stood up to the decay of time and it is in an impressive and lavishly ornamented square hall of about 10 x 10 meters. The composition, the colours chosen and the craftsmanship employed make it one of the most impressive examples of provincial Roman art of the 6th century. Working hours: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. and 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Late antiquity municipal building with mosaics (4th - 6th century) can be seen in the cash hall of the Central Post Office, where archaeologists have excavated a big building of the south-eastern end of Augusta Trayana in the immediate vicinity of the city walls. The floor of this official building is covered with a colourful mosaic, which employs allegorical and zoological symbols to represent and illustrate the seasons of the year and the endless spiral of life. Working hours: 9 a.m. – a.m. and 2p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

The Defenders of Stara Zagora 1877 Memorial Complex is a 50 meter high monument erected in 1977 on the historical Chadar Hill to commemorate 100 years from fierce battle for the liberation of the country during the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 when the Bulgarian volunteers, waving the national colour - the sacred Samara Flag - went to their maiden battle. It stands proud in the Bulgarsko Opulchenie Park on the outskirts of town.

Youri Gagarin Astronomic Observatory and Planetarium (located on the top floor of the High School of Foreign Languages “R. Rolane”).

The Art Gallery (110, Tsar Simeon the Great Blvd., tel 042 22843, 21380) hosts more than 4000 works of art from all genres. The golden fund of the gallery keeps a rich collection of medieval Bulgarian icons and prints as well as works from Georgi Danchov, Stansilav Dospevski, the Mitov Brothers, Ivan Penkov, Tseno Todorov, Vladimir Dimitrov - the Master, David Perez, Dechko Uzunov, etc. (Working hours: 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.  and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday).  

The Hilendar Convent (in the yard of the St. Dimitur Church, tel.: 042 32086) is a reconstruction of the original convent with the Hilendar Monastery at Sveta Gora, which actually functioned in the town before being finally burned down when the town was put on fire for the last time. In those days Levski lived there for three years. A central place has the exhibition “Levski in Stara Zagora”. Working hours: 9 a.m. -12 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday).

The House-Museum “Town Life in the 19th century” (68, Dimitur Naumov Str., close to the centre of the town) is located in Hadzhiangelov’s House, which was built in 1883 by a master-builder from Debur and is a typical representative of the later type of symmetrical architecture with no portico. Working hours: 9 a.m. – 12 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday).

Geo Milev House Museum (37, Geo Milev Str., tel.: 042 23450) is a rich, modern and well arranged museum to visit. (Working hours: 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Monday through Saturday).

Metodii Koussev Park (Ayazmoto – the Spring) is a big, artificial green park arranged over the slopes of the Sredna Gora in the northern part of the town. Its creator was the notable restoration activist Bishop Metodii Koussev and planting began in 1895. Today the park spreads over an area of  2600 decares and is a true botanical garden with various kinds of  trees and flowers from all over the world. In the park there are the St. Theodor Tiron Church, the memorial to Aleko Konstantinov, a zoo, jogging alleys, sport facilities and is an excellent place for outdoor recreation among exotic nature. Metodii Koussev Memorial (1838-1922) is the work of the sculptor Valentin Starchev and the architect Tanko Serafimov. The opening ceremony was held on 1 November 1996.

Stara Zagora is a big cultural centre. The Geo Milev Theatre of Drama (Bishop Me­todii Koussev Blvd.) stages its plays in the beautiful building of the Old Theatre House in the centre of the town (tel: 042 26978, 22267, 22273). The State Opera House (111, Gen. Sto­le­tov Str.,  tel: 042 24416, 29584, tel./fax: 042 41015). The State Puppet Theatre (46, Gen. Gourko Str., tel.: 042 25508, 25408, 48095). Stara Zagora is a university centre, as well.