Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak

The tomb is part of a large royal Thracian necropolis in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers near their ancient capital Seuthopolis in a region where more than a thousand members of the Thracian aristocracy can be found. Discovered in 1944, it dates from the Hellenistic period, around the end of the 4th century BC. It is located near Seuthopolis, the capital of the Thracian king Seuthes III and is part of the great Thracian necropolis.

The Thracian producer of Kazanlak is a unique aesthetic and artistic work, a masterpiece of the Thracian creative spirit. This monument is one of a kind anywhere in the world and attracts tourists from all over the world. Extremely well-preserved frescoes and the initial state of the structure reveal a remarkable evolution and a high level of culture and fine arts in Hellenistic Thrace.

The walls and the burial chamber are filled with picturesque decorations. It shows separate moments from the earthly, military and afterlife of the Thracian leader laid in it. It consists of a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber, both decorated with frescoes depicting a Thracian couple at a ritual burial.

The monument dates from the 4th century BC. and is on the UNESCO list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The paintings are the best preserved artistic masterpieces of Bulgaria from the Hellenistic period. The Kazanlak tomb became world famous for its unique paintings on its walls. They are often defined as a masterpiece in ancient Thracian art. The Kazanlak tomb is among the discoveries with the greatest historical value found in our lands. The Thracian tomb near Kazanlak is the first Bulgarian monument included in the UNESCO World Treasury in 1979.

To preserve the sensitive paintings, the tomb is not open to the public; a full-size replica was built nearby.

The seated woman of the murals is depicted on the reverse of the Bulgarian 50 stotinki coin issued in 2005.

The Kazanlak tomb is undoubtedly one of the most significant architectural and historical monuments of Thracian architecture. I was very impressed by the exceptional realism of the scenes. Today, thousands of tourists from all over the world annually visit the Kazanlak Thracian Tomb, which ranks among the most valuable archaeological monuments in Bulgaria. All this can not but make us proud BULGARIAN