Discover Bulgaria and Rose Valley

Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe and even pre-dates the Roman Empire. It is founded as the Republic of Bulgaria in the 7th century. Bulgaria is the only country in the Europe whose name has not changed since 681 AD - the original establishment of the country. Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and it is the second oldest city in Europe.

Rose Valley - Bulgaria produce about 80% of the world’s rose oil.
Bulgarian Rosa Damascena is preserved by EU as a special kind - with very rich and multilayered aroma. Bulgarian Rosa Oil is a main component of many world’s  famous and expensive perfumes.

The famous  Rose Valley is part of the Valley of Thracian Kings

Nestnarstvo- dancing on the fire is one of the oldest Bulgarian folk and spiritual traditions. It was practiced from ancient Thracians near the White Sea. Today it is still performed in only a few villages of the Strandzha region during the summer. It is included as a UNESCO legacy of non-material culture.

The oldest golden treasure in the world was found from the Eneolithic period in a necropolis (graveyard) near Varna in 1972. Over 6,000 years old, it attracted the attention of scientists from all over the world - 38 different types of items made with gold as well as copper articles and flint items, stone, silver and clay articles. These artifacts are on display in the Archaeological Museum in Varna.

Other outstanding treasures found throughout the centuries in the Bulgaria include the Valchitran Treasure (1925) of 13 vessels, the Panagyurishte Treasure (1849) of nine vessels made of pure gold, the Rogozen Treasure of 165 silver vessels dating back to the 4th century BC and Thracian king Teres’ golden mask (2004) in the Valley of the Thracian Kings. This mask may now be seen in the Archaeological Museum in Sofia.

There are nine natural and historical objects on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as cultural traditions, including: the Thracian tombs in Kazanlak and Sveshtari, the Rila Monastery, the Boyana Church, the Madara Horse Rider, the Pirin National Park, the Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo, the Sreburna Nature Reserve, the ancient city of Nesebar, and Thracian ritual fire-dance called Nestinarstvo.