Stamboliyski: River Landscape, Via Militaris and Local Varieties

A river landscape, archaeological traces and local varietal traditions give Stamboliyski a diverse profile. The Maritsa is one of the major waterways flowing through the municipality. The ancient Via Militaris (Via Diagonalis) also crosses the municipality, running from the land of Trivoditsi through the town of Stamboliyski towards Plovdiv. Added to these are distinctive features of Kurtovo Konare, from traditional crops to an annual festival.

The Maritsa, Vacha and Krichim Park

The Maritsa is a defining waterway in the municipality. Another landmark in the landscape is the Vacha River terrace: the state-owned Krichim game reserve is located there, in Kurtovo Konare. Its protected area, Krichim, contains a unique park with an extensive ornamental plant collection covering 20.6 hectares. Magnolias, Japanese cherry trees and various peony species are well represented there.

The wildlife is also part of the description of the reserve’s area: fallow deer, mouflons, wild turkeys and pheasants live there. Together with the ornamental plant collection, this connection with nature reveals a different side of the municipality from its historical sites and agricultural traditions. The reserve’s location on the Vacha River terrace also anchors it in the local landscape.

Ancient route and archaeological evidence

The Via Militaris, also known as the Via Diagonalis, runs through Stamboliyski Municipality. Its route leads from the land of Trivoditsi through the town of Stamboliyski towards Plovdiv. South of Trivoditsi, a preserved section is designated an immovable archaeological cultural asset of national significance. The route and the protected section thus represent different aspects of the historical heritage: the course of an ancient route and the designated status of a preserved stretch.

Other archaeological sites are located near Novo Selo. In the Baba area in the Besapari Hills, a medieval fortress and settlement are registered. In the Batalii area there is also Burial Mound No. 10, part of a necropolis with 30 similar structures. The necropolis dates to the 8th century BC; the burial mound is about 13 to 14 metres high and has a circumference of approximately 500 metres. The ancient route, medieval settlement and necropolis thus offer several historical perspectives on the municipality.

Varietal traditions from Kurtovo Konare

Local crops also shape the history of Kurtovo Konare. The “Red Kurtovka” peach is a traditional local variety. It was selected at Krichim Palace in the late 1930s and subsequently spread to homes in Kurtovo Konare. The local Kurtovka apple variety also bears a name derived from the place.

Kurtovska Kapia is a traditional Kapia-type pepper variety. It is suitable for open-field cultivation, as well as for fresh consumption and processing. Uses particularly noted include roasting, pickling, and making purées and lyutenitsa. Another distinctive variety is a bean called Popski bob: it has been passed down from generation to generation in Kurtovo Konare for at least 70 years and is grown in around ten households. Since 2015, it has been offered in limited quantities at the Kurtovo Konare Festival; availability may vary.

Festival and trip planning

The Kurtovo Konare Festival takes place every year in the second week of September in Kurtovo Konare. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the specific dates locally before making arrangements. Along with the local varietal traditions, the festival offers a distinctive way to experience the culture of the place, while the Via Militaris and archaeological sites appeal to other interests.

When choosing a hotel, you can first decide whether history, local crops or the festival will be the focus of your trip. This helps tailor your search to your plans without treating the different places and themes as interchangeable.

Discover more destinations: Stamboliyski, Asenovgrad, Rodopi, Maritsa, Krichim, Karlovo, Kuklen, Perushtitsa.

For the broader travel overview: Plovdiv Province.