The past glory of Thrace is only beginning to unfold as archaeologists uncover clues from the ancient graves marked by huge mounds that dot the landscape. These newly explored sites reveal a people of extraordinary sophistication, whose quality metalwork is breathtakingly beautiful.
DAY 1: Arrival day
Upon arrival in Sofia you will be met by our representative. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Possible visit (depending on time of arrival) to the National Museum of Archaeology where we will see the biggest prehistoric treasure in Europe – this one from Valtchidran – is exhibited in its chambers, dated 3 200 years ago and containing 13 articles of pure gold of 12.5 kg of total weight; the treasure from Lukovit with many utensils and horse-trappings decorations dated from 2400 years ago as well as treasures from Galitche, Bohot and Nikolaevo. The numismatic collection is the richest one in Bulgaria consisting of thousands of coins some of which being unique, for example 9 of the 10 famous silver coins of the Thracian tribe Derini from before 2 500 years. In antiquity the territory around Sofia has been inhabited by Thracian tribe Serdi who gave the name of Serdika of the town erected here in the beginning of the new age. There could be seen preserved parties of the fortified walls of the town. In the evening gather for a welcome meeting followed by dinner in traditional folk-style restaurant.
DAY 2: The Valley of Thracian Kings
The focus of today tour will be the Valley of the Thracian Kings – Kazanlak and its surroundings. Kazanlak tomb dates from the late IV c. – early III c. BC and is one of the most famous monuments of Thracian culture, included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. The tomb is world famous with its unique mural, done in wet fresco and tempera. The artistic decoration covers an area of 40m2.It is an extraordinary art gallery, taking the visitor a long way back in time. The pictures show battles and scenes from daily life, realistically displayed, with great dynamism and details in the clothing and armour. The scenes of funeral procession, the musicians, the Thracian ruler and his wife, the chariots, the horses and other depictions are all very interesting. Kazanlak Museum of History keeps a rich collection of gold and silver ornaments, metal and earthenware, and objects of cult. Next, we visit the Tomb in Maglizh, Sarafovo mound near the village of Kran, the Big Arsenalka Tomb near the village of Sheinovo and the Shushmanets necropolis tombs. We continue to Veliko Tarnovo for check-in at the hotel.
DAY 3: Sveshtari Tomb
After breakfast we set off for the Thracian Tomb near the village of Sveshtari. This III c. B.C. Thracian tomb reflects the fundamental structural principles of Thracian cult buildings. The tomb has a unique architectural decor, with polychrome half-human, half-plant caryatids and painted murals. The 10 female figures carved in high relief on the walls of the central chamber and the decoration of the lunette in its vault are the only examples of this type found so far in the Thracian lands. It is a remarkable reminder of the culture of the Getes, a Thracian people who were in contact with the Hellenistic and Hyperborean worlds, according to ancient geographers. We continue to the Archaeological Reserve of Veliki Preslav. The museum has a rich collection of all significant monuments of medieval Preslav, among which: the jewelry from the Preslavian Golden Treasure, a monumental ceramic icon of St. Theodor, an iconostasis and many other precious artifacts of painted ceramics; numerous ancient signs and one unique collection of lead seals. Exhibitted are hundreds of items revealing Preslavians’ everyday life and economy from old times. We drive back to Shoumen for check-in at the hotel.
DAY 4: Varna
In the morning, a short sightseeing tour of Shoumen. We continue our trip to Varna. En route, visit the Madara Rider – monument under the protection of UNESCO. The Madara Rider, representing the figure of a knight triumphing over a lion, is carved into a 100-m-high cliff. Madara was the principal sacred place of the First Bulgarian Empire before Bulgaria’s conversion to Christianity in the 9th century. The inscriptions beside the sculpture tell of events that occurred between A.D. 705 and 801. The Varna Museum is full of treasures from all periods of the city’s history, and will interest both the informed archaeologist and the casual visitor. In 1972 excavations in the Varna Necropolis revealed almost two thousand gold artifacts from about 4000 B.C. One stunning display case has the bones of a tribal leader arranged with skillfully-made jewellery and personal possessions around him. Some of the finds are displayed behind magnifying glass to reveal the complex and minute details of the craftsmanship. Some items are thought to be the oldest worked gold so far discovered.
DAY 5: Nessebar
After breakfast we set off for Nessebar. Situated on a rocky peninsula on the Black Sea, the more than 3,000-year-old site of Nessebar was originally a Thracian settlement. At the beginning of the 6th century B.C., the city became a Greek colony. The city’s remains, which date mostly from the Hellenistic period, include the acropolis, a temple of Apollo, an agora and a wall from the Thracian fortifications. Among other monuments, the Stara Mitropolia Basilica and the fortress date from the Middle Ages, when this was one of the most important Byzantine towns on the west coast of the Black Sea. Wooden houses built in the 19th century are typical of the Black Sea architecture of the period. The ancient town of Nessebar is included in the UNESCO’s List of World Heritage.
DAY 6: Pomorie & Kabile
In the morning, we continue our trip to Pomorie where we shall visit the Thracian beehive tomb dating from II c. BC. Next, we drive to the Archaeological reserve Kabile, situated 8 km from the town of Yambol. A Thracian settlement of high importance built before more than 3000 years, Kabile is the only place where the Thracians already in III century B.C. have been coined their proper money. There are preserved town place (agora), temples of Apolon and Artemida, big public buildings, fortified walls, thermal baths, Episcopal basilica with multicoloured tessellate-flooring. We set off for Sliven for check-in at the hotel.
DAY 7: Alexandrovo Tomb & Perperikon
After breakfast we depart to the village of Alexandrovo to visit the IV c. BC beehive Thracian tomb discovered in 2000. The Alexandrovo tomb is a manifestation of the high artistic skills of the Thracians, as well as being one of the missing links between similar monuments in Magna Graecia (the present-day Southern Italy) and in Greece. We continue our trip to the Eastern Rhodope Mt. to explore Perperikon. Bulgarian archaeologists believe that Perperikon was one of the most famous prophecy sites in antiquity, a temple of the Greek god of wine Dionysus. It was built by the Thrace whose civilization existed in tandem with those of the ancient Greeks. The name Perperikon was taken from the Greek word for incendiary, which archaeologists see as a pointer to the sanctuary of Dionysus, the son of Zeus, and the legendary rituals of wine and fire that were performed there. The Thrace believed that the Earth Goddess gave birth to the sun and thus created the world and considered their king as the son of the earth and the sun. It is for this reason that the palace at Perperikon was built inside a rock that juts out into the sun. Inside the palace, archaeologists have discovered an oval hall that had no roof but a round altar shaped out of the rock. The discovery matches a description by the Roman historian Suetonius who wrote that the Dionysian soothsaying rituals were performed on a round altar in a vast, roofless oval hall. Next, we visit another historic lead linking the site to Dionysus – a cavern near Kardjali that matches the description of those where orgies took place during Dionysian wine festivals. This amazing structure was discovered and documented in April 2001. It is high in the mountain, in a wild, rocky area above the Borovitsa Chalet, some 20 km from Kurdzali. The site contains an altar shaped like a womb. Water runs onto it from the walls and at midday a ray of sun shines onto the soil, resembling a phallus, the mythological symbol of fertility. We set off for Plovdiv for check-in at the hotel.
DAY 8: Starossel & Hissar
A full-day excursion will take us to the Thracian tomb-temple at Starossel discovered in August 2000. Archaeologists found the enormous temple/grave of what is believed to be a Thracian ruler, possibly Sitakes I, the first king of a combined Thracian empire. The site, 100 miles east of Sofia, has been dated as from the fourth or fifth century BC. The grave and its surroundings are thought by archaeologists to have been an important religious site for Thracians dating from the stone age. The two-chamber tomb is approached by stairs and a corridor. It is surrounded by a 263-yard long wall made out of some 4,000 stone blocks and was hidden under a 20-meter high mound of earth. The stone blocks of the surrounding wall/facade were largely undisturbed because they were fastened on the other side with iron clamps, which had lead poured over them. To the south it is crossed by a parade staircase flanked by two smaller staircases, climbing to an 11-yard roofless doorway with 5.5-yard high walls leading to the facade. The round stone wall symbolises the Sun, while the temple itself stands for the goddess of Earth who lived in a cave, according to Thracian beliefs. The interior consists of a rectangular entrance and a round vaulted main hall, whose ceiling is supported by 10 Doric semi-pillars, each carved with 10 vertical flutes. The inner walls are covered by ornate stone plates. The dome is decorated with a stone frieze in red, black, green and blue colours. In a neighboring mound, archaeologists found a magnificent trove of relics, including a large gold funerary wreath, other gold jewellery (including a 1-ounce gold ring depicting a Thracian horseman spearing a wild boar), bronze shields, helmets and swords, four silver and eight bronze vessels, ancient Greek ceramics, greaves (decorated with the royal double-edged axe symbol), scale armor, a bronze javelin tips, a quiver full of arrows with bronze tips and two sets of silver decorations for horses. A large silver appliqué was found in the entrance depicting a fully armed Thracian king with a beard but with no moustaches, riding a horse, and raising a rhyton in one hand. These were dated to the fifth century, B.C. We continue our trip to the town of Hissar. There are plenty of Roman walls, gates and other ruins scattered about. Other draws include two 1,300-year-old Christian basilicas and an excellent museum displaying artifacts found in local excavations. Next, we return to Plovdiv where we stay for the night.
DAY 9: Plovdiv
In the morning we visit the Archaeological Museum – the largest treasury of ancient Thrace archeological wealth. Among the exhibits we will find the varied collection of Neolithic ceramics and cult plastic arts, golden and silver decorations, pectorals and arms from Thracian mounds in the region, the famous treasure from Panagiurishte, consisting of 9 golden objects with rich ornaments and figure compositions, and a big numismatic collection as well as some fine examples of Greek ceramic vessels. Next, we discover the city by a pleasant guided walk. King Philip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great founds the town. Today Plovdiv is admired for its Old Town, with its hilly streets, timber-framed mansions and artisan houses. This area is a real culture mix – well preserved Roman Theatre, houses from the Revival period (18-19 century) and the interesting Ethnographical Museum. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner in traditional Bulgarian folklore style.
DAY 10: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Sofia airport to board your return flight.