site.btaValley of Thracian Kings Opens on April 9

The archaeological complex Valley of Thracian Kings has the purpose to fully present the Thracian culture and art in the Kazanlak region, said Municipality Mayor Galina Stoyanova, in an interview for BTA on Friday. She added that the complex is the first of its kind in Bulgaria. It will open to visitors on April 9.

The complex is located in the town of Shipka, in the immediate vicinity of several Thracian tombs.

Stoyanova expressed confidence that it will become a preferred destination for tourists who want to get a thorough picture of the different periods of Thracian culture. "The complex has a central building where visitors will be able to take pictures with wax figures of the Thracian king, queen, cupbearer and warrior, created in the likeness of the wall paintings in the Kazanlak Thracian tomb", she pointed out. 

The complex will also have a hologram tour guide, visualizing a Thracian ruler, who welcomes visitors and tells them about the Valley of the Thracian Kings. Stoyanova said that visitors will be transported from the Throne room of Sevtus III to a priestly ritual in the Thracian tomb and a battle of the Thracian warriors. In the central building, visitors will also find a pottery studio, a jewellery studio, and souvenir shops. She pointed out that the complex has a multifunctional hall for events and exhibitions, a restaurant with a winery, five guest houses, a ticket center and a cafe.

The exterior space of the complex allows for outdoor events to be organized, including theatre performances like The Mysteries of the Thracian Orpheus, which will be performed by the Kazanlak theatre, said Stoyanova. Options for renting bicycles and golf carts are also planned, as well as a drone tour, a hot air balloon tour and a film of the valley, she said. A rose garden with oil rose and lavender plantations are located north of the complex, as well as a gallery to demonstrate the distillation process.

Stoyanova noted that the complex is part of one of the largest-scale projects of the Kazanlak Municipality and is financed under the Operational Programme Regions in Growth 2014-2020. The total value of the project is over BGN 10 million, of which BGN 6 million is financed by funds from the EU and nearly BGN 2 million is co-financed by the state.