Stara Zagora Location: Administrative district Stara Zagora is one of the biggest in Bulgaria. It comprises 5151,1 sq km of land or 4.6% from the country's area. It is located on the central part of Bulgaria. The district includes 11 municipalities, along with 206 settlements - 10 towns and 196 villages. The biggest advantage of the region is its location. The district is a crossroad of the North and South, connecting North Bulgaria with Greece and Turkey. There is an airport near the town that can be used for commercial flights. The relief is hilly-plain and mountainous. The territories include Stara Zagora plain, Sredna Gora Mountain, South Balkan slopes and Kazanlyk valley. The climate is transitional continental. The average annual temperatures are between 8 and 3 degrees with significant influence by the Mediterranean. The waterfalls are 150-190 liters per sq m per month which is less than the average for the country. The vast fields are with very fertile black earth which determines the intensive development of the agricultural and the food industry. The most significant mineral sources are the coals and the gypsum. The biggest economical value is the coal supply in the complex Maritsa - Iztok. This is also the second biggest source for electricity supply providing 38% of the electricity power in the country. The mineral springs are a specific addition to the wealth of the district. Balneological centers are created in Pavel Bania, Ovoshtnik , Iagoda and Staro Zagorski Mineralni Bani. The forests in the mountainous area are another asset to the district. They are in favor of the development of wood processing, eco and hunting tourism. The town Stara Zagora is located 220 km east from Sofia and 167 km west from Bourgas. It is one of the biggest towns in the country, with a population of 150 000 inhabitants. It is situated 197 m above sea level. History: Stara Zagora is one of the most ancient towns in Europe. The place has been inhabited for more than 8000 years. Proofs of the old history are the remains of Neolithic homes (VI thousand years B.C.) as well as the many archeological findings from Thracian and Roman times. During the VI century on this place was established the Thracian town - Beroe.(beroe means iron) Later on (II - IV) with adding Thracia to the Roman Empire, the town flourishes and gets renamed to Ulpia Augusta Traiana after the emperor Mark Traian. At that time this was the second biggest town in the province. Proofs of its significance are the forum, the thermal baths the fortress walls with two gates. The town was also allowed to mint its own coins. In Medieval Bulgaria it was called Borui (XIII - XIV)(from old Bulgarian boru meaning fortress). The town was constantly moving from the margins of Byzantia and Bulgaria. During the centuries the settlement was also called Vereia (VI - XII) and Irinopolis (VIII) after the Byzantean empress Irina. Under the Turkish rule it was once again renamed to Eski Zaara. During the second half of XIX it was familiar with the name Zheleznik and since 1871 receives its official name Stara Zagora. The town has been demolished many times during the centuries. The last time was during the Russo-Turkish Liberation War just 130 years ago. However the town was resurrected and contemporary Stara Zagora has well developed infrastructure, economical and cultural life. Nowadays the town is known as the city with straight streets, nice coffee bars and pleasant parks. Landmarks: - Ayazmoto Park - one of the prides of Stara Zagora. Its spreads out over an area of more than 300 hectares. The barren, rocky and dry hill was turned into a beautiful forest-park by the Orthodox Church leader of Stara Zagora , Metropolitan Metodiy.
- The ancient Augusta Trayan Forum, which displays the remains of the Roman city
- The southern gate of Augusta Trayana
- Neolithic dwellings (6000 B.C.) exhibited in a specially protected building
- House Museum of Geo Milev - one of the best Bulgarian poets
- Balabanova House - an excibition of handcrafts from the end of the 19th century
- The defenders of Stara Zagora Memorial Complex - built in memoriam of the soldiers who fought for liberation under the lead of Lt.Col.Kalitin
- Yuriy Gagarin Observatory
- Starozagorski Mineralni Bani - Mineral Baths Ladzhite - located 15 km from the city in the forest of Surnena Sredna Gora Mountain. Stone, flint, bone and copper objects have been found in the region.They are some of the rarest prehistoric monuments found in Bulgarian lands up to this moment. When the Romans conquered these lands the head priest built a beautiful bathhouse near the warm mineral springs in honor of the Nymphs.
- A medieval necropolis with 46 tombs were discovered near the Staro Zagorski Bani
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