Staro Zhelezare and Hissar: street art and Roman ruins

• Bulgaria

Staro Zhelezare

Have you heard of Staro Zhelezare village in Bulgaria? In the center of Bulgaria students from Poznan University of Arts have turned a small village into an open-air art gallery. It is also called The Village of Personalities. Here you will see the images of famous worldwide political, spiritual, art and science leaders and next to them the faces of the village residents. Staro Zhelezare will color our day with its street art and you won’t know who will show up round the corner. The students paint here each summer and bring back to life the walls of Staro Zhelezare. In 1968 the Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi visited the village, and in 1972, legendary Fidel Castro also paid a visit to Staro Zhelezare.

Hissar

Today we will visit one more highlight of Bulgaria, Hissar, a Bulgarian town with a thousand-year-old history. The suitable climate and mineral water have brought people to these sites earlier than V-IV millennia BC. There are 22 mineral springs and the construction of massive fortress walls began in 3c. during the Roman time of Emperor Diocletian. With its impressive remains of the ancient Roman city of Diocletianopol, Hissar ranks in the first places in Europe. The total length of the ancient wall amounts to 2315m. On many points the wall reaches a height of 11m and the south city wall goes up to 13m. The most famous gate is called the Camels. We will have time for a walk, taking photos of the gate and the Roman ruins. Next, we will visit the church of St Panteleimon (he is a healing saint and people pray to him for good health). Chance for optional visit to a mineral spa center with a swimming pool. In 1882 in Hissar the spa and wellness tourism are launched in Bulgaria. The 22 mineral springs have different temperatures and healing qualities.

Optional lunch

On the way to Sofia, there is a chance for optional lunch at a restaurant in horse riding place. Or if you are very hungry, we will stop for lunch in Hissar. After visiting the swimming pool people need energy to continue the tour.

One tour, which will heal our body and soul with the help of the natural wonder of the mineral water, pure air and a lot of fun and smiles. Bulgaria off the beaten track.

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