The Yambol province is the place where the ancient Thracians built their sun sanctuary. Your first stop is the Kabile Archaeological Reserve which was one of the most important cities of the ancient world. You can walk through the ruins of the Roman barracks and the massive public baths that once served thousands of soldiers. The site is located at the foot of a small hill with a rocky peak that was used for sun rituals long before the Romans arrived. You can climb to the top to see the stone carvings and look out over the entire Tundzha river valley.
Drive into the city of Yambol to see the Bezisten which is a massive covered market from the fifteenth century. It is the only building of its kind in the country that is still used today as an art gallery and cultural center. The thick stone walls and high domes create a cool and quiet space where you can escape the heat of the plains. The city is also famous for its large city park which is built on an island in the middle of the river. You can cross the wooden bridges and walk through the gardens to find the local planetarium.
The drive follows the Tundzha river where the landscape is flat and the fields are full of grain and sunflowers. This region is known for its energetic folk dances and the colorful costumes worn during the winter masquerade games. You can find many small monuments along the road that mark the sites of ancient battles and medieval settlements. The pace here is relaxed and the horizons are wide making it a perfect place for a steady drive through the heart of the southern plains. This province is a journey through the ancient military power and the vibrant market life of the east.
Yambol (province) highlights
- Kabile Reserve reveals an ancient city at the foot of a sacred Thracian sun hill with ruins. See the stone barracks and the old baths in the middle of a wide and open field. Walk through the ruins of a major city that was once a center of the ancient world.
- Yambol Bezisten remains a giant stone covered market from the fifteenth century with high domes. Visit the art gallery inside and stay cool even on the hottest summer days of the year. See the thick stone work that shows the style of the old markets in the Balkans.
- Tundzha River Island creates a large city park built on an island in the middle of the water. Cross the wooden bridges to find gardens and a small zoo near the heart of the city. Spend an afternoon walking the paths and looking at the river flowing past the trees.
- Bakadzhik Heights rise as low hills offering a wide view of the entire southern plain and the river. Drive the quiet roads to find small chapels and a sense of peace on the green slopes. Look out over the fertile land and enjoy the fresh air of the southern countryside.
- Yambol Planetarium provides a place to see the stars in a quiet city park near the river bank. Visit one of the few in the country to learn about the night sky and the constellations. Enjoy a fun and educational break for a road trip while looking at the stars.
- Stephens Church stands as a historic building with a very tall and beautiful bell tower in town. View the local culture and the grand interior of a church built in the nineteenth century. See the classic revival style of architecture which defines the history of the city.
- Ormana Forest offers a river reserve with rare plants and quiet trails for a walk in the shade. Find a hidden gem for nature lovers who want to see the wild side of the river bank. Explore an old forest where many types of birds and animals live in the deep woods.
- Kabile Museum displays many items found in the nearby ruins of the ancient city and the hills. See old coins and pottery used by the soldiers and the kings many thousands of years ago. Learn how the people lived in the local valley long before the modern world.
- Elhovo Museum shows the colorful folk costumes and the masks of the people of the south. Learn the traditions of the communities that live along the Tundzha river and the hills. View some of the most beautiful patterns and colors found in the entire country's art.
- Tundzha Meanders form quiet river loops perfect for a scenic photo stop along the local road. Watch the water winding through the fields and the tall trees growing on the river banks. Experience a very peaceful landscape that shows the heart of the southern plains.
The local Four
History of Yambol (province)
Yambol is the City of the Sun. The province is home to Kabile, one of the most significant Thracian and Roman cities in the Balkans. Founded atop a sacred hill where people worshiped the sun, it became the royal residence of the Thracian kings and later a major Roman military base. Today, you can walk through the ruins of the Roman barracks and the massive stone walls that once protected the fertile Tundzha River valley.
The city of Yambol features the Bezisten, one of the only well preserved Ottoman covered markets in Bulgaria. Built in the 15th century with thick stone walls and fifteen domes, it was the center of the region trade for 500 years. The province is also the site of the Bakadzhik Heights, low mountains that have served as a lookout point and spiritual sanctuary since the time of the Thracians.
A road trip through Yambol takes you through the Upper Thracian Plain. You can visit the Kabile archaeological park, explore the riverside Ormana forest, or see the folk costume museum in Elhovo, which holds the most colorful traditional art in the south. It is a province of wide horizons and ancient sun altars, where the history is as open and enduring as the landscape itself.