Where is Stara Zagora?:
Stara Zagora is, as its name suggests - "the Old Town Behind the Mountain" (Sredna Gora, to be exact). To expand the romantic geographic description, Stara Zagora is just beyond the Valley of the Roses. Easily reached from Plovdiv, Stara Zagora is a must-see for those on the hunt for Bulgaria's ancient history.
What's in Stara Zagora?:
Stara Zagora is Bulgaria's 5th (or 6th - depending on the source) largest city. While it may not have a great variety of things to do and sights to see, it has enough to keep you occupied for a relatively short stay. You can check out any of the museums or explore the remains of a Roman theater.
Festivals in Stara Zagora Bulgaria:
Time your visit just right, and you could find yourself enjoying one of Stara Zagora's traditional festivals. May through July features various regional music festivals. Catch Stara Zagora's beer festival in August.
Neolithic Dwellings in Stara Zagora Bulgaria:
The Neolithic dwellings in Stara Zagora draw many a visitor by train to this "Old Town Behind the Mountain." Two of the dwellings have been preserved in a museum. Tours can be taken in English, French, and - if you're lucky - Russian, Czech, or Slovakian. Museum is open year round with varying hours of operation.
Visitors will be able to see two Neolithic dwellings set back-to-back. The one-room dwellings were made of packed clay and straw in the 6th millenium BC in the New Stone Age.There is an oven still intact, as well as earthenware vessels (some still containing the remains of te grain that was stored in them).
The gallery at the museum will allow you a closer look at some of the most interesting finds at the site that span several millenia. Painted pottery, animal figures, vessels, and even gold jewelry have been unearthed at this site in Stara Zagora.
