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It is called "The Town of Roses". The air here bears the fragrance of flowers. The vicinity of the town has been turned into wonderful rich gardens where the world famous roses for extracting rose oil are grown.
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The oil-yielding rose was imported in Bulgaria in the 18th century from the Near East and found the most favourable conditions for growing in the valley between Stara Planina and Sredna Gora mountain ranges - the worldwide famous "Valley of Roses". |
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The town of Kazanluk (63,000 residents) is located in the eastern part of the valley. Here is the natural geographic center of Bulgaria - a crossing of the inner and the international roads.
The first established settlement on the territory of Kazanluk dated back to 5th - 4th millennia BC. During the 6th - 5th centuries BC the Thracian city Sevtopolis emerged. Now it's under the waters of the Koprinka dam (7 km from the town). The rich Thracian civilization of the Tonzos (now Toundja river) valley has left us more than 12 burial tombs, the most important of which is The Kazanluk Thracian Tomb offering a unique insight into the life of the ancient Thracians (UNESCO site).
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The heir to the ancient city of Sevtopolis, the present-day town of Kazanluk was established at the beginning of the 15th century. By the end of 19th century Kazanluk became well-known with its production of rose oil, copper processing and products and original textiles. All this can be seen at the Ethnographic complex "Koulata" (the Tower). |
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The "Museum of Roses" founded in 1969 is unique of its kind in the world. It explains the story and the technique of the production of the attar of roses. It is the focus of attention during the annual "Rose Festival" - an old tradition from 1903 and the most colourful event in the town of roses.
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