Stara Zagora -the “old beyond the mountains” in Slavic-, located at the foot of the Sredna Gora Mountain range in central Bulgaria, it is known as the city of straight streets, linden trees and poets. With a history spanning over 8.000 years, Stara Zagora is one of the oldest cities of southeast Europe inhabited by ancient civilizations as the Thracians, Romans, Ottomans and Bulgarians whose historical imprint is still visible nowadays.

Currently, it is the sixth major municipality of Bulgaria outstanding as an important center for economy, a transport hub with good travel connections to many places in the country and a crossroad of cultures.

Whether strolling along its shaded walkways lined with lively cafes, discovering its ancient ruins and past treasures, idling in its lush parks and gardens or enjoying its vibrant dining scene and nightlife, Stara Zagora is definitely a worthy stop to spend a pleasant weekend.

Amazing spots for a travel back into the past are the Regional History Museum; The Roman Forum of Augusta Trayana, which also hosts summertime concerts; the Eski Mosque, one of Bulgaria’s oldest Muslim shrines dating back to the 15th century; and the memorial complex “Samarsko Zname” (memorial “Stara Zagora Defenders of 1877″), a 50-meter high concrete structure dedicated to the battles for Stara Zagora during the Russian-Turkish Liberation War.

Art and culture lovers cannot miss the Geo Milev Drama Theatre and its drama performances, from Chekhov to Shakespeare, along with art galleries, exhibition halls and the Thrace University.

Foodies have a wide range of choices here, from traditional Bulgarian cuisine to international dishes. Stara Zagora is also the home of Zagorka, a leading Bulgarian beer that has been brewed here since 1902.

And if you need a shady spot to relax, you can enjoy strolling around the beautiful 5th October Park, one of the favorites among the citizens of Stara Zagora.

Volunteers from Stara Zagora

During our trip in Stara Zagora, we have visited an office of one organization to meet their volunteers as well. In that moment when we crossed the threshold of the office, I knew that these people are energetic and we will get along.

After shaking hands with each other and that formal part of introducing we played a game that their coordinator Krasimira explained us. She was showing different sheets of papers with questions like: “What do you expect from your EVS?” or “What do you want to leave in Bulgaria?”, and who felt like answer the question, he did. We played few rounds and then our coordinators left us alone. Adriana, Miguel, and Nelson are Portuguese, Karolina is Polish and there was also one Ukrainian girl Viki.

We three – me, Sharon and Junio were staying in the city for a whole weekend. Guys invited us to the dinner with them. So at the evening, we went to the beautiful restaurant in the city center with traditional cuisine. When there is a big group of people in front of the table, a conversation may be divided into smaller parts of it. It surprises me that we were talking 8 people, most of the time, all together.

And this was more boring part still! After some time we started to play games. Not on the cell phones… Finally, we ended up this incredible night full of laughter and fun in the bar on the main square.

The plan for Saturday was already determined. We had the opportunity to join the volunteers again, in their visit to beer factory and a trip to “Defenders of Stara Zagora Memorial Complex”. Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit the factory, because as we found out later, it is needed to book the visitation before. It was also impossible to go to the Memorial Complex at the noon. We spent the hottest hours in the Bedechka park, nearby the beer factory. With a cup of coffee, we had a great discussion about games for children. All of five volunteers are working as animators in kids day camp in the city. Junio and I were working as animators of leisure time before, so it was very interesting to exchange experiences and give them few tips for new games.

When the temperature was more acceptable to walk, the second part of the plan could start. Miguel was only one who knew something from the history of Memorial. It was so interesting to sit on the stairs right under and listen to his short, but very impressive speech. We looked around, made some photos and went back because it was a bit late and we were warned that in this part of the city it isn’t safe to stay after the sunset.

Karolina, Viki, Adriana, Miguel, and Nelson told us that they are going to Budzluzha on Sunday, so they cannot show us more from the city on that day. It was time to say goodbye, but not forever. We definitely found a couple of new friends and going to stay in touch. After all, that’s how it should be not just between EVS volunteers!

Antiquity, Bulgarian Middle Ages and National History

At the end of the 7th and the beginning of the 6th millennium (the New Stone Age), the first inhabitants came to this area making their living from agriculture and cattle breeding. Their dwellings were called settlement mounds existing for 2 to 3 millennia. There are five prehistoric settlements in the area of Stara Zagora. One of the five prehistoric settlements, Bereketska Mound, is considered the largest in Bulgaria.

Throughout history, the salubrious climate and fertile land around Stara Zagora attracted many invaders and settlers, including the Thracians (from the 4th century BC), who called it Beroe. In around AD 100, the Romans came, creating a prosperous city they called Ulpia Augusta Trayana. Stara Zagora continued to be significant due to its strategic location during Byzantine and medieval Bulgarian times.

During the Turkish occupation, the city was destroyed often and was abandoned altogether in the mid-13th century.

During the National Revival period (18th through 19th century) the town became an important economic center with over 70 workshops producing 50 different craft items. Late in the 1850s the town was given the name Zheleznick and in 1871 the present day name of Stara Zagora was officially adopted and the Stara Zagora diocese was founded.

After eventually regrouping, it saw fierce fighting during the Russo-Turkish War and was again completely demolished by the Turks in 1877. Unfortunately, most of the surviving Thracian and Roman ruins were also wrecked at this time and the few surviving remnants of those eras are now largely hidden beneath the modern city.

Staring out over the Bulgarian city of Stara Zagora, the monolithic giants embedded in the Defenders of Stara Zagora Memorial Complex make sure that none of the citizens forget the sacrifice of over 14,000 soldiers who lost their lives in an abortive 1800’s military campaign for the city.

Reconstruction of Stara Zagora commenced in 1879, and here one of Bulgaria’s first opera houses was opened.

During its thousand years of history, Stara Zagora has risen from the ashes many times, has suffered and come to life again after numerous vicissitudes but it has always remained a center of economic, political and cultural life and now is one of the modern contemporary cities in Bulgaria.

Sharon, Bella and Junio