Stamboliyski

The Maritsa is one of the most important waterways flowing through the municipality of Stamboliyski. The ancient Via Militaris, also known as the Via Diagonalis, also crosses the municipality: from the land around Trivoditsi, through the town of Stamboliyski, towards Plovdiv. This means that both a prominent river and a historic road route are central landmarks in Stamboliyski.

South of Trivoditsi, a preserved section of the Via Militaris is designated an immovable archaeological cultural heritage site of national significance. The road route through the municipality and this designated section offer two specific points of interest for travelers interested in ancient history.

There are more archaeological sites near Novo Selo. In the Baba locality, in the Besaparian Hills, a medieval fortress and settlement are registered as archaeological sites. In the Batalii locality is burial mound No. 10, part of a necropolis of 30 similar structures dating to the 8th century BC. The burial mound is about 13 to 14 meters high and has a circumference of approximately 500 meters.

The state hunting enterprise “Krichim” is located in Kurtovo Konare, in the municipality of Stamboliyski, on the Vacha River terrace. The Krichim protected area within the enterprise contains a park with an extensive collection of ornamental plants across 20.6 hectares. Magnolias, Japanese cherry trees and various peony species are abundant there. Fallow deer, mouflons, wild turkeys and pheasants also live in the enterprise’s area.

The park and wildlife offer a different perspective on the landscape from the archaeological sites: the park features an extensive collection of ornamental plants, while the Via Militaris and the sites near Novo Selo provide a historical contrast.

Local cuisine can also be explored through traditional varieties. The “Red Kurtovka” peach was selected at Krichim Palace in the late 1930s and subsequently spread to homes in Kurtovo Konare. Kurtovka is also the name of a local apple variety from the village—a heritage reflected in its name.

Kurtovska Kapia is a traditional Kapia-type pepper variety. It is suitable for outdoor cultivation and fresh consumption, as well as for processing, particularly roasting, pickling, and making purées and lyutenitsa.

The “Popski bob” bean variety is also part of the local food tradition. It has been passed down from generation to generation in Kurtovo Konare for at least 70 years and is grown in about ten households. Since 2015, it has been available in limited quantities at the Kurtovo Konare Festival. The festival takes place every year in the second week of September in Kurtovo Konare; planning your trip around this date lets you include both culture and local varieties in your itinerary.

For a focus on cultural history, the Via Militaris, the fortress and settlement near Novo Selo, and the necropolis offer a range of historical themes. Plants, riverside landscapes and local varieties add other points of interest. To compare other destinations, you can also explore Krichim, Rodopi, Perushtitza, Rhodope Municipality, Kuklen, Maritsa and Kaloyanovo.

Where does the Via Militaris run through the municipality?

It runs from the land around Trivoditsi through the town of Stamboliyski towards Plovdiv.

When does the Kurtovo Konare Festival take place?

It takes place every year in the second week of September in Kurtovo Konare.

Which archaeological sites are there near Novo Selo?

A medieval fortress and settlement are registered in the Baba locality; the Batalii locality is home to a burial mound from a necropolis of 30 similar structures.

For the broader travel overview: Plovdiv Province.