The most attractive tourist destination in the Stara Zagora region is the Valley of the Thracian Kings near Kazanlak. It fascinates visitors with the wealth of unique archeological findings. In his lifetime the archeologist Georgi Kitov and his expedition TEMP excavated plenty of centuries-old historical monuments. The discovery of the Svetitsata (Saint) mound in 2004 and the artifacts found in it were acknowledged as archeological findings of world value. One of these unique relics is the mask of the Odrysian king Teres made of 23.5 carat solid gold. The mask weighs 672 grams, which indicates that it was a part of a burial ritual and it differs from the Mycenaean masks made of gold foil.
Research of the Golyamata Kosmatka tumulus discovered the temple of the great Thracian king Seuthes III. The expedition found a perfectly preserved golden wreath and other royal belongings necessary for his afterlife, as well as a bronze copy of Seuthes III’s head. Seuthopolis, the town of king Seuthes III and the capital of the Odrysian kingdom since the end of the 4th until the beginning of the 3rd century B.C., was discovered in 1948, during the construction works of Koprinka reservoir, and studied in the period 1948 - 1954. The ruins of the ancient city are situated a few kilometres away from the tumuli.
Seuthopolis is the first, and the best preserved, Thracian city in Bulgaria. Today it is still at the bottom of the reservoir, but there is a project for its exposition. It proposes a way to fully excavate, preserve and partially restore the ancient Thracian city. The project goal is to make it accessible to tourists and display the exceptional historical, educational and cultural value of Seuthopolis within a unique architectural and natural environment. The National Unity initiative „Treasure the Bulgarian Heritage“ for restoration of the ancient city is an activity supporting the realisation of architect Jeko Tilev’s conceptual project.
The unique manner of exposing Seuthopolis, located in the midst of a region abounding in archeological and natural sites, will make it an attractive tourist destination within the Kazanlak valley. The exposition of Seuthopolis cultural and historical complex, along with the surrounding burial tombs, temples and glorious treasures of the Valley of the Kings, will enhance the cultural, tourist and economic potential of the region and of Bulgaria as a whole.
A five-year program for the realisation of the project was adopted in 2008. Funding will be provided by various international programmes and investment plans are being developed varying from EUR 50 mln. to EUR 150 mln.
Excavation of the Golyamata Kosmatka tumulus will continue in 2009. Georadar and geophysical data indicate the presence of another chamber, most probably a temple of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, above Seuthes’s tomb. Research suggests also that there is a room (temple) with a big bronze statue within the mound.
The district centre of Stara Zagora is also renowned for its ancient history. Stara Zagora Historical Museum keeps and cares for a number of historical sites in the city: Neolithic dwellings (6th millennium BC), Antique Forum Complex (2nd – 4th century AD); Late Antique Residential Home with Mosaics (4th century AD); Late Antique Public Building with Mosaics (4th - 6th century AD), Hilendar Cloister; Museum of 19th Century Town Life, etc. Over 100,000 authentic exhibits from different ages are preserved in the museum. Prehistoric, ethnographic and numismatic collections, Thracian chariots, antique bronze and glass objects, relics related to Bulgarian history from the National Revival period to the present, are all collections of exceptional value. The museum collection includes unique exhibits like Bone idol, Marble anthropomorphous statuette (5th millennium BC), helmet-mask, Sarmatian sword, golden necklace, lanterns, glass phial with dancing woman, antique marble statuette group of Orpheus, stone plate featuring lioness with its cub, a copy of “Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya” by Paisij Hilendarski, etc.
The region is rich in spa centres that attract not only Bulgarian, but also foreign tourists. Among the preferred destinations is Pavel Banya with its balneological and physiotherapeutic centre. The sanatorium complex comprises specialised medical consultancy rooms and various balneology, hydrotherapy and rehabilitation facilities. There are spa and healing centres within the rest homes of various public institutions and organisations in the Pavel Banya resort.
Stara Zagora Mineral Spa is another national balneological resort. It is situated 15 km. west of the town of Stara Zagora in the southern parts of Sredna Gora Mountain, 360 metres above the sea level. The mineral water has a temperature of 51О C and is appropriate for treatment of diseases of the locomotory and the peripheral nervous system, gynaecological, kidney and urological, bilious, gastric-intestinal and other disorders. The warm mineral water is suitable for all year round therapeutic, rehabilitation and recreating activities. There are modern hotel complexes in the resort equipped to offer comfort and luxury to their guests.
