Stara Zagora: Antiquity, Culture and Mineral Baths

Stara Zagora reveals itself through several layers of time: Neolithic dwellings, a Roman forum complex and collections on the city’s history each offer a different perspective. The spa resort of Starozagorski Mineral Baths is also part of the region’s character. You can plan your trip according to whether you’re most interested in archaeological sites, museums or the surroundings of the spa resort.

Antiquity and Early History in Stara Zagora

In the centre of Stara Zagora lies the ancient forum complex of Augusta Traiana. The site, covering around 7 decares, includes a stone square with a statue pedestal, baths, fortification walls and the West Gate. It also features an amphitheatre for more than 1,300 spectators and part of the decumanus maximus, the ancient main commercial street. The complex also serves as a venue for performances, concerts and other events; visitors can stroll along the ancient street.

The permanent exhibition at the Regional Historical Museum of Stara Zagora extends over three levels. More than 1,700 artefacts tell the story of the city and its surroundings, from the 6th millennium BC to the recent past. The exhibition opened on 3 March 2009. The museum’s collection comprises around 100,000 movable cultural artefacts in total, spanning from prehistory to the present day—a broader time span than that covered by the permanent exhibition described here.

At the Museum of Neolithic Dwellings, the focal point is a remnant of a residential building from the early 6th millennium BC, one of the best-preserved remains of a dwelling in Europe. The permanent exhibition includes ceramic vessels and figurines, jewellery, tools and human figures made of marble. The Museum of Religions offers a different perspective on ancient belief systems: temples dedicated to various deities were built one above another at a multilayered place of worship over thousands of years.

Starozagorski Mineral Baths: Bathing History and Folklore

Starozagorski Mineral Baths is a balneological spa resort in the southern, wooded foothills of the Sarnena Mountains, part of the Sredna Gora range. It lies 12 km northwest of Stara Zagora. The Roman bath complex excavated there dates from the imperial period: it was built in the 2nd century, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, by Ulpius Hieronymus, high priest of Augusta Traiana and guardian of the imperial cult. It remained in use until the 12th century.

The archaeological complex covers 2,500 square metres and comprises twelve rooms. These include three pools for lukewarm, hot and cold water, two changing rooms, a vestibule, a large hall and a nymphaeum. Its size and layout give the site a different historical focus from the forum in the centre of Stara Zagora.

Every August, the National Thracian Folklore Festival “Bogorodichna Stapka” is held at the spa resort. It brings together more than 2,000 participants each year from all of Bulgaria’s folklore regions, including singing groups, dance ensembles, traditional customs groups, orchestras and solo performers. Programme details may vary; if you’re planning your trip around the festival, check the dates for the year you intend to visit. The natural landmark Bogorodichna Stapka is also located in Starozagorski Mineral Baths: a rock formation shaped like a human footprint, with water that never dries up.

Landscape and Getting Around

The municipality of Obshtina Stara Zagora lies in the Srednogorie region, which includes the eastern part of the Upper Thracian Plain and mainly the Sazliyka River basin. The land slopes gently to the southeast; the river valleys are flat and gently rolling. Elevations range from 100 to 300 metres. This landscape provides a tranquil counterpoint to the city’s archaeological attractions, though the whole region cannot be reduced to a single type of landscape.

The zoo and parks of Stara Zagora offer further insights into the region’s natural and urban history. The zoo in Ayazmoto Park was established on 26 April 1957 and is home to 80 species of mammals, birds and amphibians. Bedechka Park is home to a centuries-old plane tree. Its seed is said to have been planted more than five centuries ago; the tree is linked to local traditions and legends about the city’s history.

Transport routes also help with orientation: the Trakia Motorway, national road I-5 between Ruse and Svilengrad, and national road II-66 between Sofia and Burgas all run through the municipality. The Trakia runs 10 km south of Stara Zagora and is designated European route E-80; the I-5 is classified as E-85. Three main lines of the Bulgarian railway network intersect at Stara Zagora railway station. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide what to focus on during your trip: the city’s museums and forum complex, or also the spa resort 12 km to the northwest, with its bathing history and annual folklore festival.

Discover more destinations: Bogomilovo, Starozagorski bani, Pavel Banya, Kazanlak, Chirpan, Radnevo, Maglizh, Galabovo.

For the broader travel overview: Stara Zagora Province.