The town of Kazanlak is located almost in the heart of Bulgaria, just a few kilometers from Sofia. This small Bulgarian town is famous for two popular tourist attractions, the charming Rose Valley and the ancient Valley of the Thracian Kings. If the wonderful aromas of the first Kazanlyk valley attract lovers of perfumes and essential rose oil, the second valley has long won recognition from every, even the most sophisticated, tourist. How could it be otherwise? Roses bloom everywhere, but these kings were very selective: they spent years creating even their own tombs with the help of the best builders and architects.

In the 5th century BC, the modern town housed the Thracian capital. The ancient Thracian rulers longed to be buried here. As a rule, they were buried in huge stone crypts inside giant mounds. Thanks to such a grandiose approach to burials, most of the tombs have survived to this day and have become one of the main attractions in Bulgaria.

An ancient tomb dating back to the 4th century BC was discovered during the construction of a military base in the Second World War. According to historians, it belongs to the Thracian King Roygos and is a whole underground maze. From the spacious entrance hall, a corridor leads to a funeral hall with a painted dome. In addition to floral patterns, it also depicts the king, sitting at a table next to his wife and surrounded by many servants with various dishes. The very top of the dome is decorated with the image of Demeter, the goddess of fertility.

The Thracian Tomb of the King is open to the public. However, the original frescoes can be seen only by historians and scientists. The walls of the tomb are covered with their exact copies.

In total, there are more than 1,500 burial mounds in the vicinity of Kazanlak. Not all the tombs in the burial mounds belong to kings and priests. Archaeologists continue to conduct excavations, and scientists are busy solving the mystery of the Valley of the Thracian Kings.