About 300 years ago, thousands of cuttings of oilseed roses were brought from Turkey to Bulgaria, carefully as the most expensive cargo. One fine morning a miracle happened. Thousands of rose buds bloomed with the grandeur of velvet petals, greeting the morning light, and the simple village of Kazanlak turned into a fragrant kingdom of amazing fields, into the very Valley of Roses that medieval musicians dreamed about and lovers dreamed about, which poets saw in romantic dreams.
Of course, roses are grown here not only for beauty, delighting curious tourists. The delicate buds are turned into aromatic oil, rose water, cosmetics, jam, Turkish delight and even wine. The collection process, traditionally a woman's task, requires great dexterity and patience. For 30 days, workers get up before dawn to preserve as much of the aroma as possible and carefully cut off unopened rose buds. Harvesting begins around 4 a.m. and continues until 10 a.m., while drops of dew tremble on the velvet petals. The flowers are carefully cut one by one and placed in willow baskets, which are then sent for distillation.
The favorable climate for growing roses marked the beginning of the perfume industry in Bulgaria. The oilseed (damask) rose has become the greatest wealth of the Kazanlak region.
Painting "Roses of Heliogabalus" by Lawrence Alma-Tadema
The appearance of the rose in Bulgaria
Damask rose has a long history, dating back to ancient Persia. Known for its delicate fragrance, this delicate rose species began to be cultivated in the 17th century. The demand for rose oil in Europe, especially from French perfumers, was very high at that time, so it became the main export product of Bulgaria.
It is worth noting that rose production has greatly influenced the life, culture and traditions of the Bulgarians living in the southern foothills of the Balkans, in a place that has now become known throughout the world as the Valley of Roses. Soon the rose became an integral part of history and Bulgarian culture everywhere. To this day, pink motifs can be traced in folk art, poetry, decor, architecture, traditions and even cooking.
Ivan Vazov, Bulgarian writer
In 1886, the Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov wrote in his travel notes “The Pinkish Valley and Tundzha”: “How beautiful this valley is! Brilliant green fields stretch to the horizon, fragrant blooming rose gardens, clear mountain springs flowing through fresh meadows, bunches of chestnuts, walnuts, plums, cherries, apple trees in blossom and throughout this beautiful green panorama, among the groves and whispering elms, young Tundzha twists and turns in wonderful ways, and in the background you can see the Balkan Mountains: a series of giant peaks basking in the blue sky. And in fifteen days some sorceress will sprinkle the delicate roses with dew, and the air will be flooded with this aroma and the songs of dark-skinned rose pickers with wreaths on their heads...”
Valley of Roses
The modern Valley of Roses includes fields in Karlovo, Kazanlak, Strelcha, Pavel Banya, as well as some parts of the Nova Zagora fields. The plantations are located south of the Balkan Mountains in central Bulgaria, Starozagora region - 195 km from Sofia, 133 km from Plovdiv, 184 from Burgas, 315 km from Varna, and 250 km from Bansko. Production in this region is the basis for much of the world's perfume. The modern rose garden extends over 80 km. The center of the rose oil industry is the city of Kazanlak.
Kazanlak - the capital of the kingdom of roses
The Valley of Roses is surrounded by mountains that protect it from adverse winds. Each of the production villages has a river or spring that provides sufficient water not only for the growth of the rose, but also for many other flowers also used in cosmetics and medicine. Heavy morning dew, heavy spring rains and mild winters create ideal growing conditions for rose bushes.
It is worth mentioning that the Valley of Roses is also called the Valley of the Thracian Kings. Mainly because this area was once the capital of the most powerful Thracian tribe. A large number of ancient tombs have been discovered in the vicinity of Kazanlak, some of which are open to the public.
Production and cost of rose oil
On the eve of the First World War, rose fields occupied about 8,000 hectares, and more than 200 thousand people were employed in production and cultivation. After its completion, the total volume of fields was greatly reduced. However, in our time, the region still remains the main supplier of rose essence on a global scale (about 70%).
Production in 1960Modern production of rose oil
Harvest time depends on weather conditions. Usually the collection lasts about a month - from May 20 to June 20. For each kilogram of petals, the worker receives about 2 levs (the cost varies annually depending on the purchase price), the collected flowers are delivered to the nearest plant for distillation. Flowers do not tolerate transportation well, so processing equipment should be located as close as possible to the collection point. It takes at least 3 tons of petals to make just 1 liter of rose essence, or 13,000 flowers per gram of essence. So it's no surprise that it sells for around $6,000 per kilogram!
Two weeks before the start of the harvest, local farmers actively prepare equipment: they check barrels for boiling roses, prepare a fireplace from “red” clay, buy bottles and flasks for rose oil, dig ditches from which cold water from local rivers will flow to cool the hot steam from processing the petals. Everything is checked several times, because once the harvest begins, work continues 24 hours a day.
Rose Festival
The first Rose Festival (or Rozobor) took place in 1903 in Kazanlak. Later Karlovo, Strelcha and Pavel Banya also began organizing festivals. Bulgarians celebrate the deep connection with the rose and all the gifts with which it has rewarded the Valley of Roses over the centuries. Typically held on the first weekend of June with the start of the harvest, the festival begins in Karlovo and then moves to Kazanlak.
The main traditions of the festival: the ritual collection of roses (rosobor), a festive procession and the selection of the Queen of Roses (usually from among local young girls). Tourists and residents from all over the valley gather for the carnival, dancing and singing for several days. Photo exhibitions, fairs are held, and folklore groups perform. Townspeople dress up in national costumes, dance in circles or simply walk along the streets maintaining the atmosphere of ancient traditions.
Rosober in 1950
Rose Museum in Kazanlak
The Rose Museum is located in the basement of the Research Institute of Roses and Aromatic Plants, on the northern exit from Kazanlak (road to Gabrovo). The exhibition features old photographs, moonshine stills and tools. It turns out there is a long list of different tools used in the process of collecting flowers and making oil. Museum address: st. Liberation; open daily 9.00-17.00. Free admission.
There is an opinion that the Valley of Roses is a magical place where wishes come true. To make your wish come true, you need to go out into the field before dawn, breathe in the air filled with the aroma of roses, hold your breath and, closing your eyes, imagine what you have planned.
Read about how to make rose oil and water yourself at home here.