Stara Planina Valleys

The Stara Planina Valleys, often referred to as the Sub-Balkan Valleys, comprise a string of fertile basins situated between the main Balkan Range and the Sredna Gora Mountains. The most prominent among them is the Rose Valley near Kazanlak, world-renowned for its production of high-quality rose oil from the Damask rose. This unique geographic placement shields the valleys from harsh northern winds, fostering a microclimate perfectly suited for intensive agriculture and floriculture. Historically, the region served as a heartland for the ancient Thracians, earning the nickname 'The Valley of the Thracian Kings' due to the high concentration of burial mounds found there. During the 19th-century Bulgarian National Revival, towns like Karlovo and Kalofer became pivotal centers for cultural and revolutionary activities against Ottoman rule. The valleys are interconnected by a series of low-lying sills, forming a natural corridor for major railway and road links connecting Sofia to the Black Sea coast. Today, the area is characterized by its animated festivals, such as the Festival of Roses, and its role as a key agricultural and industrial hub in central Bulgaria.

Nearby cities

Banya (Stara Zagora)

Banya near Stara Zagora is a rural settlement in the Thracian Plain.

Pleven

Pleven is located in northern Bulgaria and is an important regional commercial hub.

Batanovtsi (Rural)

The rural part of Batanovtsi offers a glimpse into traditional life in western Bulgaria.

Banya (Veliko Tarnovo)

Banya near Veliko Tarnovo is a small rural place.

Batenberg (Veliko Tarnovo)

Batenberg near Veliko Tarnovo is located in a historically significant region of northern Bulgaria.

Veliko Tarnovo Cultural Quarter

The historical center of Veliko Tarnovo displays the architecture and history of the national revival.

Batenberg (Pazardzhik 2)

Another small settlement Batenberg near Pazardzhik.

Batenberg (Pazardzhik)

Batenberg is a small town near Pazardzhik, embedded in the agriculturally used Thracian Plain.

Asenovgrad

Asenovgrad is located at the foot of the Rhodope Mountains, south of Plovdiv.

Gabrovo

Gabrovo is located on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains and is a traditional center of the textile industry.

Montana

Montana is located in northwestern Bulgaria at the foot of the Balkan Mountains.

Dupnitsa

Dupnitsa is located in western Bulgaria at the foot of the Rila Mountains.

Karlovo

Nestled in the famous Rose Valley at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, Karlovo is the birthplace of Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski.

Belene

Belene is located on the Danube on Belene island.

Svishtov

Svishtov is located on the southern bank of the Danube in northern Bulgaria.

History & landmarks

Arbanasi

A historic village on a high plateau, famous for its fortress-like stone houses and magnificently painted Orthodox churches.

Sopot

Sopot is nestled at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, famous as the birthplace of Ivan Vazov and Bulgaria's premier paragliding hub.

Troyan

Famous for the third-largest monastery in Bulgaria and its centuries-old tradition of handmade ceramics.