Kazanlak Thracian Crypt

The Kazanlak Thracian crypt is an authentic representative of the Thracian architectural and pictorial art from the end of the 4th and the beginning of 3rd century B.C. It is a monument of extremely huge value, being discovered in 1944 beneath a mound in the region of the town of Kazanlak.

The structure consists of a finely painted entrance hall, a narrow corridor and a brick-wall beehive burial chamber. The methods used for decorating and ornamenting the crypt are wet fresco and distemper techniques. Above the frieze of the corridor is painted a multi-figured battle scene. The murals of the main frieze in the vaulted beehive chamber are placed between two ornamental belts. They depict a unique scene of a wounded hero lying after a battle and his wife, sitting at a funeral feast, accompanied by servants, players, musicians, bodyguards and charioteers. The images are highly important due to their being the very source for investigating the lifestyle, armaments, manner of dressing and outer appearance of the Thracians. It is usually believed to be one of the best preserved monuments of Thracian art in Bulgaria as well as one of the few kept for the present masterpieces of antique fine art.
It was declared a UNESCO monument in 1979.
The monument is open to visits but tourists are recommened not to touch anything due to the value of the Crypt, and so as the area to be kept authentic and preserved for years. Scientists still explore the Crypt hoping to find more evidents revealing the lifestyle of the Thracian people.