Kazanlak information

The Bulgarian oil-yielding rose provides the main source of employment and plays an important part in the history of Kazanlak. It was during the Crusades in 1270 that Count de Gruye brought the Damascus rose from Syria to the valley at the foot of the Balkan Range. The climate and cinnamon forest soil in the area were excellent for cultivation, and the first rose storehouse run by the merchant Doncho Papazov was established in 1820. Since the 19th century Kazanlak has been the centre of Bulgarian rose growing and rose oil manufacture.

The climate in this region is excellent for sport and recreation all year round with winter sports, hiking,cycling, orienteering, mountain climbing, water sports and fishing all on offer during the different seasons. Mountain guides are available to take you on the more interesting routes.

The first settlement dates back to the Neolithic period. During the third and fourth centuries BC the lands on the upper plains of the Tundja river formed part of a kingdom ruled by the Thracian King Seuthes III. They played an important role during the Hellenistic period when during the construction of the Koprinka Dam the Thracian town of Seuthoplis was excavated and restored.

Kazanluk developed from a military fortress to a centre for crafts which included leather-working, coppersmiths and goldsmiths, homespun tailoring, shoemaking, cooperage and of rose oil manufacture. After the liberation from the Ottomans the textile industry developed rapidly here with the modern textile company, Rozova Dolina, becoming established as a spinning factory.

If you come to Kazanlak during the first week in June you will be able to take part in the annual Festival of Roses which is a pageant of beauty where a Queen Rose is crowned and a street procession takes place which includes an international Folklore Festival which involves a lot of dancing and singing.