Nova Zagora: Archaeology, Culture and Landscape

The Historical Museum of Nova Zagora was founded in 1921; archaeological sites in the municipality tell of a much more distant past. There are also cultural events in local villages and landscapes along the Tundzha and at Zhrebychevo. This mix offers several possible focuses for your trip, from collections and settlement history to trails and events.

Museum and Archaeological Traces

The Zagorie archaeological society and history teacher Nikola Stefanov Koychev founded the Historical Museum in 1921. Five years later, in 1926, the first archaeological exhibition opened. Today, the collection comprises more than 40,000 items; collection figures may change as cataloguing progresses. The main collections include archaeological and numismatic finds, historical documents and photographs, ethnographic material, and palaeontological objects.

Research is regularly conducted in the Nova Zagora Municipality on prehistoric and ancient settlement mounds, burial mounds, fortresses and settlements. The settlement mounds of Karanovo and Dyadovo are particularly notable and are among the municipality’s most important cultural attractions. The Karanovo mound covers 24 decares and is considered one of the oldest settlement mounds in Europe. Its cultural layers date from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age; it was inhabited for about 3,000 years.

The cultural heritage also includes the Zlata burial mound with chariots and horses, the Byzantine fortress near Banya, and the Dipsizka burial mound near Ezero. The Church of St. George in Lyubenova Mahala is designated a cultural monument. An exhibition of Thracian chariots is considered unique in Bulgaria.

Village Culture and Folklore

Cultural events are also associated with specific places in the municipality. Korten hosts national amateur village theatre festivals and a regional showcase of polyphonic choirs. The regional Gergyovden Folklore Festival takes place in Konyovo; Elenovo hosts an Easter folklore gathering and the Mincho Nedialkov competition. In Pet Mogili, the Wheat Fertility Festival and arrow-shooting during Sirni Zagovezni are among the traditional celebrations. Pet Mogili and Lyubenets have active groups that perform authentic folklore. Check the specific event dates and editions before your trip.

River, Reservoir and Trails

In the northern part of the municipality, the Tundzha runs for approximately 13–14 km through the Mezhdenishki Gorge. Zhrebychevo Reservoir covers more than 25,000 decares and lies between Sredna Gora and the Balkan Mountains; its lower third is within the municipality. Activities associated with the reservoir include fishing and various water sports. Annual sport fishing and canoe-kayak competitions are held there. Check seasonal and safety conditions, as well as event dates, in advance.

For a hike, an eco-trail connects Korten, Tsenino and the Pamukova fountain; its stated duration is two and a half hours. Another, five-hour round-trip route runs from Korten via Sudiysko Pole to the Chapel of St. Constantine and Helena above Nau chene. The two routes therefore differ both in duration and in course. Check trail conditions and signage locally.

Getting There and Getting Around

Nova Zagora has a bus station and a railway station. Passenger information and ticket sales are available at the railway station; check transport services and opening hours before your trip. The municipality’s main road connections include Road II-66 between Stara Zagora and Nova Zagora towards Burgas, and Road II-55 between Gurkovo, Nova Zagora and Svilengrad. Access roads serve the heritage areas of Karanovo, Dyadovo, Lyubenova Mahala and Sudiysko Pole. Traffic conditions and roadworks may change.

Wine-growing is also among the municipality’s traditional activities. Nova Zagora is classified together with Sliven in the southern wine-growing region of the Thracian Lowlands. The regional wine-growing tradition thus complements the cultural and nature themes, catering to different interests when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Lyubenova Mahala, Sadievo, Sliven, Kotel.

Return to the main travel overview: Sliven Province.