Stara Zagora literally means 'Old town behind the Mountain' and 'Old' is certainly the word for this city with a history that goes back 8,000 years. This makes Stara Zagora one of the oldest cities in Europe.
The city has a chequered history and experienced many invasions, owing largely to the strategic position of Stara Zagora at the so-called 'Crossroads of Bulgaria'. This name is due to Stara Zagora being in Central Bulgaria and on major trade routes to the North, South, East and West. The repeated attacks on the city (and numerous city name changes on the way), led to Stara Zagora being rebuilt in a strict grid-pattern; the only Bulgarian city designed this way.
Moving forward to the present day finds the City of Stara Zagora, home to around 163,000 people, benefiting greatly from this geographical position. Stara Zagora, which is the name of both the city (the 6th largest in Bulgaria) and the surrounding region, has one of the top ten economies of all the Bulgarian regions. One report shows that Stara Zagora has the second highest per capita income and Stara Zagora also tied in equal top place for 'Best Quality of Life' with Greater Zurich, Switzerland. This award was made by Foreign Direct Investment Magazine, the prestigious world business publication produced by The Financial Times Group. This long-standing economic success will be further enhanced by the completion of the new pan-European motorway that passes through the region. The largest business park in the Balkans is being constructed on the outskirts of Stara Zagora city; this project alone received an investment of £100m.
In addition to having a strong and growing economy, Stara Zagora city is also one of the most contemporary cities in Bulgaria. The local people are welcoming and friendly and have a very western European outlook. Many modern shops are to be found in Stara Zagora, a city highly recognised as a thriving and growing trading location.There are many beautiful parks to explore and a very noticeable artistic atmosphere. Enjoying a cup of coffee amongst the splendour of the tree-lined boulevards is a popular local tradition and should not be missed. Don't worry about the weather, the shelter of the Sredna Gora mountain ensures Stara Zagora is home to what is often regarded as the best climate in Bulgaria.
This is Stara Zagora highly recommends the city for offering a wonderful yet low cost lifestyle together with great opportunities for future growth. The property and tourism pages give some fantastic ideas about how to enjoy the unique appeal of Stara Zagora, as illustrated in our image galleries.
The Stara Zagora region offers a magnificent contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. The region has views that are simply breathtaking and the countryside, mountains and lakes offer endless scope for outdoor leisure activities. The region of Stara Zagora has a rich agricultural heritage, due largely to the area having a vast fertile plain where time appears to have stood still for centuries.
The Stara Zagora region has dozens of small villages that are becoming increasingly accessible as the motorways and linking roads near completion. This is Stara Zagora offers many great value properties in these areas. We also list many attractions of all types within and beyond the Stara Zagora region.
The diversity of a large, cosmopolitan city against a backdrop of mountainous peaks and rural scenery is truly spell binding. We very much hope you enjoy your browsing and become inspired to visit the City and Region of Stara Zagora, the place that offers something for everyone.
