In Razgrad province, the earth is rich with hidden treasures. Your main destination is the Sveshtari tomb located in a field of ancient burial mounds. You can go inside this stone chamber to see the famous statues of ten female figures with their hands raised to the ceiling. These caryatids are carved with incredible detail and have stood in the dark for over two thousand years. It is one of the most beautiful and mysterious examples of Thracian art ever found.
Drive to the city of Razgrad to explore the Abritus Archaeological Reserve on the outskirts of the town. This was a major Roman city and the site of a famous battle where a Roman emperor was killed. You can walk through the ruins of the thick walls and see the foundations of the giant storehouses and public buildings. The museum on site holds a massive collection of gold coins that were found hidden in the ruins. It is a quiet and well kept site that is perfect for a morning of exploration.
The trip continues to the Pchelina forest park which is a popular local spot for rest and recreation. You can drive to the two small dams nestled between the green hills and enjoy a walk along the water. The air is fresh and the woods are filled with birds and small wildlife. It is a great place to park the car and have a picnic after visiting the ancient ruins. This province offers a calm and historic journey through the heart of the Danubian plain.
Razgrad (province) highlights
- Sveshtari Tomb holds a stone burial chamber with ten beautiful female figures carved on the walls. View the amazing skill of the ancient tribes who lived here many thousands of years ago. Visit the special room built to protect the delicate stone art from the outside air.
- Abritus Reserve marks a large Roman city ruin where people once found old gold coins in the grass. Walk the thick walls and visit the museum to see the life of the soldiers on the border. Enjoy a quiet walk through the ruins located on the very edge of the modern city.
- Demir Baba Teke serves as a holy site on a hill where people from different faiths come to pray. Walk through a beautiful forest to reach a spring that is said to bring very good luck. See colorful ribbons tied to the trees as signs of wishes made by the many visitors.
- Ibrahim Pasha Mosque reaches high with a tall stone tower as one of the largest old mosques in the land. View this landmark of the city to see the rich mix of cultures found in the northern plains. Look at the fine details in the stone work of this grand and historic building.
- Pchelina Park offers a quiet forest area with two dams perfect for a road trip break in nature. Park by the water to enjoy the shade of the tall oak and beech trees on a hot day. Join the locals who come here for a weekend picnic and a short walk in the woods.
- Razgrad Clock Tower stands in the city center as a stone tower that has marked the time for centuries. Start a walk through the city from this landmark to see the local architecture and shops. View the tower from almost every street as a symbol of the heart of the town.
- Getsova Bridge spans the river near a quiet village as an old stone bridge from the past. See the local way of life and the peaceful river views from this simple and solid structure. Visit this spot to find a quiet corner of the province away from the city noise.
- Abritus Museum shows the story of the city and the wars on the border inside a modern building. See many items found in the earth and learn about the life of the Roman empire here. View the models of the old city buildings to understand how the ruins once looked.
- Voden Reserve protects a huge forest area where you can see European bison and wild deer. Drive slowly through the green hills to spot the animals hiding in the thick and quiet woods. Move quietly through this wild land to experience the natural beauty of the north.
- Sborianovo Park contains a land of burial mounds and ancient secrets located in the northern hills. Explore many tombs and see the ruins of a holy city from the time of the kings. Walk through a place where every hill seems to hold a piece of the ancient past.
The local Four
History of Razgrad (province)
Razgrad is the province of the Getae, the Thracian immortals. The Sveshtari Tomb is a world class masterpiece, featuring ten caryatids carved in high relief, holding up the ceiling of the burial chamber. This site was part of the Sboryanovo complex, a sacred landscape of over 100 mounds that served as the spiritual and political capital of the Getae tribes 2,300 years ago.
The Roman city of Abritus, located on the outskirts of modern Razgrad, was the site of the Battle of Abritus in 251 AD. This was a catastrophic moment for Rome, as it was the first time a Roman emperor and his son were killed in battle by a barbarian army. The site remains a massive open air museum, showcasing the thick walls and the hoard of 835 gold coins found hidden within the ruins.
A road trip through Razgrad leads to the Demir Baba Teke, a 16th century mausoleum built on the site of an ancient Thracian sanctuary, still venerated by both Muslims and Christians today. The Voden Reserve nearby is one of the few places in Europe where you can see European Bison roaming in the wild. It is a province of hidden archaeological treasures and deep, ancient forests where the myths of the immortals still linger.