Chirpan

The town of Chirpan is the third largest town in the Stara Zagora region, situated in the heart of the fertile Northern Thracian plain. Globally renowned as the birthplace of the genius poet and revolutionary Peyo Yavorov and the world famous painter Nikola Manev, Chirpan preserves rich National Revival and cultural traditions. The land around the town hides paleontological and archaeological sensations of global importance – from prehistorical animal remains to the oldest active monastery in Europe. Architectural Masterpieces, Museums, and History - Peyo Yavorov House Museum: The birthplace of the poet is located in the town center and opened as a museum on October 31, 1954. In 1924, the prominent poet Geo Milev visited the house, which led Yavorovs older sister to dedicate a room for visitors. The exhibition features the authentic kitchen, the living room, and Yavorovs private room with his desk, metal bed, and his favorite book Faust by Goethe. The living room displays portraits of Hadzhi Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha, arranged by the family in 1913 to welcome the poet and his wife Lora. It is declared an architectural monument and is part of the 100 National Tourist Sites. - Nikola Manev Art Gallery: Located in the Beys House, built a century and a half ago by a local Turkish bey. It is one of the most beautiful National Revival houses in the town, featuring a painted facade and a large yard with boxwood. In 2000, the artist Nikola Manev bought the house and transformed it into a gallery showcasing his artwork. The halls also display 10 unique crystals from South America, gifted by Iliya Delev. Along with Yavorovs house and the nearby St. Athanasius Monastery in Zlatna Livada village, it belongs to the 100 National Tourist Sites under number 71. - Gema Svyat Paleontological Museum: A private museum opened on September 4, 2017, as a result of over 60 years of work by amateur paleontologist Petar Popdimitrov. The first floor displays over 5 thousand fossils of animals that roamed the area millions of years ago – skulls of antelopes, gazelles, rhinos, giraffes, and mastodons, alongside a rare deinotherium skull. The second floor features archaeological artifacts from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages, art paintings, and a globally significant Ouranopithecus tooth older than 7 million years. - Historical Museum Chirpan: Founded in 1907, the museum features four halls and scientific departments for Ethnography, Archaeology, and History. The museum does not have a permanent exhibition, instead displaying thematic collections of photographs, documents, and items from the National Revival and the struggles for the Bulgarian Unification. The museum publishes the historical magazine Nashe Minalo and produces short films about local culture. Ancient Archaeology and Mysticism - Karasura Archaeological Site: Located 6 kilometers northeast of Chirpan, near Rupkite village on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora mountain. It covers the Kaleto settlement mound and the Kayryaka hill. Excavations here revealed the large Roman road station Karasura, with historical layers from the fourth millennium BC to the 14th century. Bulgarian and German scientists started researching the area in 1981, discovering 10 towers, 3 main gates, churches, inscribed stone columns, medieval jewelry, and over 250 restored ceramic vessels from the 9th and 11th centuries. The site is currently closed to visitors, but the artifacts are kept in the Historical Museum. Regular Cultural Events and Festivals - January 13 - 15: Yavorov January Days. Held annually since 1968, starting on the poets birthday, January 13, with exhibitions, poetry readings, and concerts. The National Literary Prize for poetry is awarded every five years. - May 2: Voices and Rhythms from Thrace Folklore Festival in Zlatna Livada village, near the oldest active monastery in Europe, St. Athanasius the Great. - June: Dyado Vicho Bonchev Gadulka Competition in Spasovo village around Ascension Day. - June: International Lavender Festival in Chirpan and Sredno Gradishte village around Midsummer Day. - September 6: Unification Day and official holiday of the town of Chirpan. The September festive calendar includes the Chirpan Rock Fest, the Lyutenitsa and Chirpan Sausage Festival, and the Nikola Manev Arts Festival held in the gallery courtyard, featuring awards for literature and art. - October: Vinoniada Wine Festival in Vinarovo village.