The Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak is a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Bulgaria. But first, perhaps, it is worth putting this into context.
The Thracians were Indo-Eurpoean inhabitants of the Balkan Region from about the 10th Century BC through til the 1st Century AD. The Thracian King Seuthes III, founded the capital of Thracia, Seuthopolis between 325 – 315BC. While Seuthopolis is now submerged under the Koprinka Reservoir nearby, luckily, the reservoir did not extend to Kazanlak. Around 10km away lies the site of the Thracian tomb of an unknown couple.
The Thracian Traditions
In the fields that surrounded the ancient capital lies the original Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak. The tomb is a small structure which was within an earthen mound and consisting of three parts: a corridor; a rectangular pre grave chamber; and a round burial chamber.
The original tomb was discovered in 1944. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 at which time it was sealed to protect the valuable historic and cultural value of the structure and frescoes. Today we visit a copy erected nearby so that everyone can visit and learn about this significant cultural treasure whilst preserving the original tomb ‘for the benefit all humanity’, according to the UNESCO plaque erected at the site.
For rich Thracians, death was an event. The corpse was displayed for three days, according to tradition. During this time lamentations and sacrifices were made and feasts celebrated. After three days, the body was either cremated or buried and a burial mound was built up around the remains. The mourners played games to celebrate the life of the deceased. Contests and duels took place here and great prizes were awarded to the winners!
The Reconstructed Tomb
We enter the first part of the reconstructed tomb which is rectangular, the stone construction is covered with plaster and painted with distemper (a type of whitewash) and frescoes. Next, we find the pre grave chamber which is also rectangular in shape and has two sloped vaults and two friezes. The friezes depict either events from the person’s life or commemorative games played in his memory. All these frescoes are of battle scenes. The images contain warriors, armed infantry and cavalry.
Through the small doorway is the cylindrical burial vault. Painted on the walls are four payers of fresco. The main picture depicts a funeral feast centered around three primary figures: a man, a renown Thracian, crowned with a gold wreath; a woman, his wife, veiled and crowned with a tiara; and another woman holding a tray.
On either side of these figures is the funeral procession. A young man holds a cup and jug. Two female musicians follow and behind her are two warriors leading horses. On the other side of the primary figures is a female aristocrat and another female holding a blue mantle. Behind these follows another young man leading four horses harnessed to a carriage.
Rosettes and bull’s heads with garlands decorate the lower layer of the fresco under the main picture. Above the main picture is another decorative layer. This includes a red & white ribbon and a layer with 11 images of a lion’s head. A three carriage race with two horses per carriage decorates the cylindrical centre of the structure.
The Rest
Among the objects found in the tomb, including pottery and jewelry, were the remains of two individuals. Archeologists found horse bones in the pre grave chamber.
This is both eerie and fascinating. To be at this site learning about a group of tribes that I had never heard of before, their customs and traditions is incredible. In addition, to be able to discover, through the reproduced tomb, such a bewitching piece of history leaves me with goosebumps as we exit the museum and end up back in the sunshine in contemporary Bulgaria.
Good To Know
The reconstructed Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak is open every day from 9am – 5:30pm and the adult entry fee is 6BGL. There is a small museum at the entrance to the tomb containing information in Bulgarian, and English as well as photos and items from the original tomb. Allow 30mins to an hour to take in the history and the small exhibition.
The tourist site appears to be operated by the Museum of History Iskra. As well as the Museum of History there is a Museum of Roses. Several other tombs can be visited in the area.
It is not possible to enter the original tomb of Kazanlak which has been sealed for preservation and posterity.
We toured Bulgaria with Adriana from Private Guide Bulgaria. See also:
Would I Return?
No. Although an interesting experience, the distance to other sights makes this likely to be a one off experience.
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