A legend has it that a Bulgarian who returned from Persia planted the first rose flower in Bulgaria’s Rose Valley. When the man was still in Persia, he fulfilled the will of a rich and powerful shah to build a mosque in the courtyard of his palace in three days only. In return, the Persian ruler fulfilled two of his wishes. He refused to fulfill the third wish of the Bulgarian – to give him his daughter’s hand – and threw him in the dungeon. The builder escaped from the dungeon with the help of the ruler’s daughter. He took her with him when he left this country. Unfortunately, the girl died during the long and tiresome walk across the dessert.

The man fulfilled her last wish and planted the rose bush she took with her in his homeland. People believe that the dewdrops that appear on the roses in the morning are the tears of the two nameless lovers who did not have the opportunity to live together in this beautiful country.

Roses in Bulgaria are blooming in May. This is the perfect time to tour the region of Kazanlak and Pavel Banya, enjoy the fragrant scent of the Bulgarian rose and visit unique historical monuments and breathtaking natural sites. You can learn more details in Radio Bulgaria’s article: “A valley with a scent of roses, lavender and… millennial history”.

Compiled by: Yoan Kolev

English version: Kostadin Atanasov